Tag: golf

  • Aaron Rai Claims Stunning PGA Championship Victory; Scottie Scheffler Favored at CJ Cup Byron Nelson

    Aaron Rai Claims Stunning PGA Championship Victory; Scottie Scheffler Favored at CJ Cup Byron Nelson

    There are moments in professional golf when something totally unexpected happens, and Aaron Rai gave us one of those moments this week. His PGA Championship win was genuinely shocking—the kind of victory that tells you as much about the person as it does about his golf game.

    The moment everyone will remember isn’t just Rai lifting the Wanamaker Trophy, but that 68-footer he buried to deliver the knockout blow. That putt felt like it carried the weight of all those years he spent grinding through the professional ranks.

    PGA Championship

    Aaron Rai didn’t follow the typical path to major championship glory. This guy uses head covers on his irons—not to make a statement, but because of how he was raised. “I grew up in very much a working-class family, and golf has always been a very expensive game,” Rai explained. “I started from the age of 4 years old, and my parents made a lot of sacrifices for me to be able to play this game.”

    Those head covers say everything about respect—for equipment, for opportunity, for the game itself. While everyone else chases distance and Instagram followers, Rai just quietly built a game on fundamentals and work ethic.

    His win proves something important: he’s a completely different kind of major champion. Majors aren’t won with flash—they’re won with precision when everything’s on the line.

    The week also brought up the ongoing mess in professional golf. Jon Rahm left the championship without answering LIV questions. Despite playing well, his silence about the tour split shows how the sport is still dealing with this divide.

    Justin Thomas had his own weird weekend. After a great Sunday round, he had to sit around for three hours waiting to see where he’d finish. “It was weird, man,” Thomas said about playing well but having to watch everyone else determine his fate. Golf’s like that sometimes—you can do everything right and still not control the outcome.

    Looking Ahead: CJ Cup Byron Nelson

    The tour heads to Texas this week, where Scottie Scheffler is the overwhelming betting favorite for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. The odds make sense given how consistently great he’s been. But after watching Rai’s surprise win, those betting lines feel like a reminder that favorites don’t always win. We saw this earlier in the season when Cameron Young pulled off his own upset victory at THE PLAYERS Championship.

    LPGA Tour Action

    While the men’s major grabbed all the attention, the LPGA Tour played the Kroger Queen City Championship at Maketewah Country Club. The $2 million purse shows how women’s professional golf keeps growing, even when the men’s majors dominate the headlines. The consistency we’ve seen from players like Nelly Korda throughout the season continues to elevate the women’s game.

    Equipment Innovation and Industry Movement

    Away from tournaments, the golf industry keeps chasing those tiny improvements. Titleist released new GTS Driver technology, with detailed info from the Titleist Performance Institute. It’s funny—Rai won with old-school fundamentals, but the modern game runs on skill plus science.

    Getting properly fitted still matters more than most people realize. Recent work shows how swingweight, shaft, and loft changes can add 20+ yards right away. For weekend golfers, proper fitting is probably the fastest way to shoot lower scores.

    If you’re planning a golf trip, protecting your clubs becomes pretty important. New reviews of the best golf travel bags show options for protection and convenience—essential if you’ve ever seen what baggage handlers do to golf equipment. For golfers looking to upgrade their equipment, our recent review of the Bushnell Tour V7 Shift rangefinder shows how modern technology can help with course management.

    The Bigger Picture

    Golf keeps its weekly rhythm with amateur golfers sharing their weekend stories online. These conversations about great rounds and frustrating struggles remind you that golf’s appeal goes way beyond what we see on TV.

    The business side keeps expanding too. Events like the Multi-Course & Resort Operators Retreat bring together the people who actually shape how most of us experience golf.

    In Spain, La Cala Resort will host the 2026 Andalucía Costa Del Sol Open De España, continuing Europe’s tradition of combining great golf with amazing destinations.

    Maybe the best thing about Rai’s win isn’t the putting or handling pressure, but how he built excellence over time. In a sport that’s gotten obsessed with instant results and social media, his victory quietly reminds us that the most meaningful wins often come from the least likely places—and sometimes the longest journey leads to the best ending.

  • Bushnell’s New Wingman HD: Golf GPS Meets Premium Sound System

    Bushnell’s New Wingman HD: Golf GPS Meets Premium Sound System

    If you’ve ever wished your golf speaker could do more than just play music, Bushnell Golf just answered that prayer. Their latest release, the Wingman HD, takes the GPS speaker concept to a whole new level with a vibrant touchscreen display and audio quality that’ll make you forget you’re on the course and not at a backyard concert.

    What Makes the Wingman HD Different?

    The standout feature here is the 3.5-inch color touchscreen that shows you everything you need at a glance: distances to the front, center, and back of the green, plus up to six hazards per hole displayed right on screen. No more squinting at your phone or trying to remember yardages while you’re lining up your shot.

    But Bushnell didn’t forget that this is still, at its core, a speaker. The device packs dual 15-watt speakers with passive radiators that deliver 360-degree sound. According to Alfredo Marquez, GPS Product Manager at Bushnell Golf, “Wingman HD is built for golfers who want to stay dialed in on every shot and keep vibes up from the first tee to the final putt.”

    Smart Features That Actually Make Sense

    One clever addition is the dynamic audio adjustment feature. As your cart speeds up, the volume automatically compensates so your music doesn’t fade into the background. It’s controlled through the Bushnell Golf Mobile App, which also unlocks additional features like GreenView for detailed green contours, a shot distance calculator, and on-device scoring.

    For those who like to personalize their experience, the Wingman HD lets you set up custom first-tee intros and personal soundbites. And if you’re playing in a tournament or large group event, you can pair up to 100 units together for what Bushnell calls “Concert Links” mode, creating synchronized sound across the entire course. I can see the anti-music-on-course purists shaking their heads – Sorry, but the game is changing!

    Built for Real Golf Conditions

    The device earned an IPX67 rating, meaning it can handle dust, rain, and whatever else the course throws at it. Bushnell also included their BITE magnetic mount, which secures the speaker directly to your cart’s metal bar without any fuss. There’s even an indoor and outdoor EQ mode for when you’re at the range, using a simulator, or just practicing in the backyard.

    Wingman HD Key Features

    • 3.5” Color HD Touchscreen for visual distances, hazards, GreenView, and HoleView
    • Premium Audio with 2 x 15-watt speakers + passive radiators for powerful, for clear and immersive sound
    • Bi-directional Speaker Design for immersive 360° audio
    • Dynamic Audio Adjustment: Controlled in the app; the volume compensates as speed of cart increases. 
    • Audible & Visual GPS: front/center/back distances, hazards, shot distance calculator
    • Custom Audio Features: 1st tee intros, personal messages, and custom soundbites
    • “Concert Links” pairing: connect up to 100 Wingman HD units for concert-like sound
    • Integrated BITE Magnetic Cart Mount: secure directly on the cart bar
    • On device scoring (Connected to the App) 
    • Indoor/Outdoor EQ mode for range, simulator, or backyard sessions
    • Rated IPX67 Dustproof & Waterproof 

    The Bottom Line

    At $199.99, the Wingman HD positions itself as a premium option in the GPS speaker category. It launches in mid-October through select golf retailers and directly from BushnellGolf.com.

    For golfers who want their course technology to handle both the technical and entertainment sides of the game without carrying multiple devices, the Wingman HD delivers on both fronts. It’s not just about adding a screen to a speaker; it’s about creating a single device that genuinely enhances how you experience a round of golf.

  • First Look: Honma T//World 757 Collection

    First Look: Honma T//World 757 Collection

    Honma has been one of our favorite brands for a while now. What’s not to like abut premium forged Japanese steel? While they aren’t the most well known brand in the USA, they are a market leader in Asia, and have been in the golf business for over 60 years. Honma’s Tour World (TW) collection are designed for Honma’s tour staff, low to mid handicap players and people that prefer a more traditional look and feel. The new TW 757 collection continues their legacy of amazing looking and performing clubs, and I can’t wait to get my hands on them and try them out. Without further delay, let’s let Honma’s marketing team fill you in on the new stuff with the press release below:

    Honma Golf Announces New T//World TW757 Collection

    Created in Honma’s renowned Sakata, Japan Design Studio, and paired with the hand-rolled VIZARD graphite shafts, the artfully designed TW757 line is set to make its way into the bags of Tour Professionals and aspiring players around the globe. 

    “We are extremely excited to get the long-awaited T//World 757 line in the hands of golfers across North America,” says COO of Honma North America, Janeann Lanning. “It’s a handsome product line loaded with performance-improving characteristics. The use of carbon in these two new driver models helps produce exceptional speed that’s going to catch a lot of people’s attention. And the three new iron models — built for mid to low handicappers — perform brilliantly in their respective categories.” 

    To learn more, visit https://us.honmagolf.com/collections/tworld.

    DRIVERS

    GOLF’S FIRST CARBON SLOT: The TW757 Driver features a new, patent-pending “Carbon Slot” to activate and optimize the performance of the lower half of the face at impact. By using a thinner layer of titanium, which is supported by a lighter and more responsive carbon insert, TW757 Drivers deliver higher launch conditions and lower spin to maximize distance, while yielding the highest initial ball speed in Honma Golf’s history.

    Ti-CARBON FAST FRAME

    Coupled with the Carbon Slot, the TW757’s Carbon Crown further increases discretionary weight savings, enabling low-deep CG placement in tandem with a Keel Sole design first used in the Honma GS line, and now enhanced in the new TW757’s high MOI 6-4 Titanium body.

    Honma engineers also added two thick and long crown ribs to maintain rigidity around the clubface in conjunction with Honma’s unique, variable thickness, vertical groove clubface to transfer energy more efficiently at impact to maximize ball-speed. As an added benefit, the carbon elements of the TW757 also help to optimize the sound and feel preferred by better players around the world, a hallmark of Honma T//World products.

    TWO DRIVERS FOR OPTIMAL BALL FLIGHT – D and S

    The TW757 line is a custom fit dream, offering two distinctly different drivers, each specifically designed to cover a wide array of ball flight preferences. Both drivers come in 9° and 10.5° and are adjustable for loft (+/- 1°) and face-angle (+/- 1.5°) via Honma’s P-SAT Sleeve and torque wrench.

    The modern 460CC D Driver has two weight-ports in the sole, one each in the back-heel and front-toe for “Directional Control.” Placing the 9gr. weight in the back-heel will create a higher launching draw-bias, and for players looking for a flatter and more fade-biased ball-flight, simply move the heavier 9gr. weight into the front-toe weight port.

    The traditional pear-shaped 450CC S Driver also has two weight-ports strategically located in the front and back of the sole for “Spin and Stability.” Placing the heavier 9gr. weight to the rear of the head creates higher launch conditions and increased MOI, while moving the heavier weight forward, the additional mass behind the sweet-spot creates a flatter trajectory with lower spin for hot ball-flight.

    Both D and S models come standard with 9gr. and 3gr. weights, however weights are also available in 6gr., 12gr. and 15gr.

    P-SAT (Precision Spine Alignment Technology) Sleeve and Non-Rotational Hosel System

    Proprietary to Honma, the P-SAT sleeve and hosel system allows Honma VIZARD shafts to keep the shaft’s spine, as well as shaft graphics and grip markings consistently aligned, while not sacrificing the ability to adjust the TW757 driver for both loft and face-angle to optimize ball-flight.

    All graphite shafts naturally have a slightly harder side or “spine,” which is created during the manufacturing process; hence all shafts are not always created or perform equal.

    As a result, all Vizard shafts are factory tested during the quality control process so that the spine can be isolated and correspondingly marked in the 6 o’clock position, which helps to mitigate downward shaft deflection through impact, leading to more consistent strike patterns.

    Retail pricing for Honma’s new TW757 D and S drivers starts at $719 and varies based on customizations and shaft selection.

    Honma TW 757 woods

    FAIRWAYS AND HYBRIDS

    Classically styled with a player approved compact footprint, the TW757 fairway woods and hybrids provide everything the player demands, and nothing they don’t.

    All models feature a sole slot for higher launch and added speed and are built with an SUS630 stainless steel body paired with a 455-carpenter steel face. These premium materials also support a new Vertical Slot Face Insert to more effectively manage both centered and mishit shots alike.

    In the lower lofted models, the TW757 3-Wood features a carbon crown to save weight and to generate higher launch conditions. While a cup face insert design in the 3-Wood and #3 Utility also helps increase initial ball speed to help players get home in two. 

    Playable from a variety of lies, the TW757 Fairway Woods and Hybrids/Utilities are designed with progressive internal sole weighting to generate consistently long carry distances. As an added benefit, the Fairway Woods feature an adjustable sole weight to fine-tune swing weight.

    Retail pricing for Honma’s new TW757 Fairways starts at $415 and varies based on customizations and shaft selection. TW757 Hybrids retail for $350 with custom shaft options available for a slight upcharge.

    Honma TW757 Irons

    IRONS: Three models of the tour driven TW757 irons meet the needs of the best players.

    P Irons 

    The multi-material TW757P Player’s Distance irons are designed for players in pursuit of consistent distance and added control, while still demanding the look and feel of a traditional iron only Honma’s experienced Takumi (Master Craftsmen) can deliver.

    Inlaid 12gr. Tungsten sole weights along with an undercut pocket cavity creates a low-and-deep CG in a relatively compact iron, which generates high trajectory in conjunction with a modern spec loft package.

    The steel body also houses a 6gr. toe-weight to precisely center the sweet-spot, and a 2.2mm thin L-cup face insert generates consistently fast ball speed across the face for the better player looking for added distance with a measure of forgiveness. Honma’s new P irons retail for $1,272 (5–PW) in NS950 NEO steel shafts and $1,392 with Vizard TW757 graphite shafts.

    Vx Irons 

    Forged from the softest premium S20C carbon steel, the TW757Vx Iron is a true players iron. The beautiful, tour-approved address profile in the one-piece cavity back forging features a 7gr. tungsten weight in the toe. The tungsten toe-weight serves to pull the CG towards the dead-center of the face (#4–#8 iron) for consistency throughout the bag. Optimal heel and toe weighting inside the cavity reduces energy loss on off-center hits, and generates high launch windows, with optimal spin and exquisite feel Honma T//World irons are known for. Honma’s new Vx irons retail for $1,272 (5–PW) in TW757 Modus Tour 105 steel shafts and $1,500 with Vizard TW757 IB-WF composite-material shafts.

    B Irons 

    The TW757B is Honma’s advanced next-gen muscle back blade design. Featuring a thin top-line in a traditional-shaped blade, ideal CG placement is achieved by inserting a 7gr. Tungsten weight and resin insert into a strategically placed port in the toe (#3–#7 iron). With additional material removed to lighten the heel to further optimize CG placement, the TW757B iron presents an ideal balance of performance and feel to let the best players in the world dictate their preferred trajectory and distance control. Honma Takumi have crafted the TW757 blades from the softest 8620 carbon steel for the ultimate in player feedback with tighter tolerances than any previous muscle back blades in the company’s history.

    Honma’s new TW757 B irons retail for $1,272 with TW757 Dynamic Gold Steel shafts.

    VIZARD SHAFTS, MADE IN JAPAN, SAKATA

    The exclusive VIZARD for 757 50 Shaft was holistically designed to synergize the TW757 Driver and Fairway Woods from grip to tip. The strong mid-section in conjunction with a sub 5.0° torque value stabilizes club delivery and maximizes energy transfer at impact, while a softer tip provides for high launch and optimal spin. This versatile shaft has a smooth feel and is playable for a wide variety of players looking for a premium ultra-lightweight shaft. As with all VIZARD shafts, this proprietary shaft is spine aligned at 6 o’clock for added stability and Made in Japan.

    To complement the standard VIZARD for 757 50 Shaft, Honma produces some of the very best shafts in the world for players looking to take their game to the next level through Sakata’s world-renowned Custom Department. Produced in-house in Honma’s Sakata factory to the industry’s tightest tolerances, the VIZARD MA, MP, FZ and Platinum hold their own on professional tours around the world.

    VIZARD MA is designed for High Trajectory and Mid Spin. Well suited for players who prefer a firmer handle or tend to have a descending attack angle or struggle to release the golf club, the VIZARD MA features Ni-Ti alloy for shape retention in the tip-section to allow for higher launch and easy release while still maintaining ample control. Offered in 40-, 50-, 60-, and 70-gram weight classes.

    VIZARD MP is built for the player with a neutral delivery looking for a shaft offering High Launch and Low Spin in a smooth feeling shaft. This shaft’s slight draw bias is achieved by extensive layering of ultra-high strength TORAYCA® T1100G materials to provide stability and feel in this popular custom shaft. Offered in 40-, 50-, 60-, and 70-gram weight classes.

    VIZARD FZ was born to accommodate the strongest swings on tour and is now available to players around the world. The rigid tip-section of the FZ shaft is created by layering the high-strength and elastic TORAYCA M40X carbon fiber material in the tip area. This shaft creates a mid-launch condition and very low spin. Offered in 50-, 60-, and 70-gram weight classes.

    VIZARD PT (Platinum) is an exciting new concept in ultra-premium custom shafts that helps players maximize clubhead speed. This shaft contains ultra-elastic carbon TORAYCAM40X in the bias layer for added tip reinforcement, and the ultra-high strength and elastic TORAYCAT1100G in all layers. This unique shaft features a stiff tip and butt section with very low torque, paired with an active mid-section to help increase swing speed. Offered in 40-, 50-, and 60-gr. weight classes in a single uniflex profile targeted at players with current clubhead speeds of 82–116 mph.

    About Honma Golf

    Honma is a prestigious and iconic golf brand. Founded in 1959, the Company utilizes the latest innovative technologies and traditional Japanese craftsmanship to provide golfers across the globe with premium, high-tech, and top-performing golf clubs with state-of-the-art heads and proprietary shafts built by master artisans to perform together holistically. Renowned for creating the world’s highest quality and most beautiful clubs, Honma offers equipment (including balls, apparel, and accessories) to fit all golfers, with the families aligned to suit the preferences and abilities of various segments of golfers: the world-renowned “Ultra-Premium” BERES luxury line and the Tour-validated “Premium Performance” T//World TW757 and game improvement GS lines. The premium club manufacturer and lifestyle brand was founded inside a small Yokohama workshop six decades ago and now holistically designs all products in Sakata, Japan. Honma operates as the only company that handles every step from design to final production in-house to create the highest-quality golf products on the market today. Honma’s products are sold in approximately 50 countries worldwide, primarily in Asia and across North America, Europe, and other regions. To learn more, visit https://us.honmagolf.com

  • Cherokee Valley Club – Greenville’s Hidden Gem

    Cherokee Valley Club – Greenville’s Hidden Gem

    In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains north of Greenville, South Carolina lies the Cherokee Valley Course and Club. If you want mountain views but still need to be close to town, this hidden gem of a community is ideally located to satisfy all your needs. Sitting just 30 minutes north of downtown Greenville and less than an hour from Ashville, North Carolina, the Cherokee Valley Course and Club offers a relaxed environment with plenty to do.

    This 450 acre development sits adjacent to North Greenville University and offers an outstanding array of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fly fishing, white water rafting, boating and more. Cherokee Valley enjoys a mild four season climate which permits outdoor recreation all year long. It is this wealth of activities and climate that make the area such a popular destination for families and retirees alike.

    The wonderful 6,728-yard, par 72 P.B. Dye designed golf course is the centerpiece amenity at Cherokee Valley and has everything you want in a mountain golf course – dramatic elevation changes, scenic vistas, great playing conditions, smooth fast greens and plenty of opportunities to score with a properly struck shot. Other amenities include a modern 4,000 square foot fitness center, tennis courts, outdoor pool, putting green, driving range w/ indoor golf academy and the innovative Core 450 restaurant on the top floor of the clubhouse, overlooking the 9th and 19th greens.

    The golf course starts out with a forgiving downhill tee shot, but you quickly discover that this is a true test of mountain golf. The greens are smallish in size, and are often perched on ledges or plateaus with huge drops on one side or more. Things really get interesting on the 226-yard par three 6th hole, with amazing views and a more than 70 foot drop from tee to green. Another 70-plus foot drop awaits on the 387-yard par four 7th hole. My high, drawing tee shot hit the downslope and jumped forward, bouncing and rolling down the hill and ending up almost pin high. From there however, I was faced with a flop shot to a tight pin on the green that was at least 10 feet above me. Number 11 is another picturesque hole, and then you get into some devilish short holes with a blind tee shot on 13 followed by the tricky par four 14th that has a creek flowing on both sides of the fairway and in front of the green. Climbing back up the hill on the par five 16th hole leaves you with a risk-reward downhill approach shot over water to the green. You may have managed to successfully navigate your way around the first 16 holes, but don’t get too cocky, because you are left with two of the toughest holes on the course (both long par fours) to end your round.

    Cherokee Valley isn’t just a great residential community and golf club, but it’s also a perfect golf getaway for a group. The club owns and maintains several spacious, well appointed Cottage homes right on the golf course. The cottages vary in size, but the one I stayed in sleeps 8+ in four large master suites, a huge great room, full kitchen and a fantastic wrap-around porch to relax on and watch the world go by. The Cottages are just a short walk from the clubhouse, restaurant and practice facilities. Honestly, I don’t think you can do much better as a destination for a 3 or 4 day stay & play package. The rates are amazingly affordable – For example, bring 8 people and everyone can stay in Cottage #1 for $600 per night + $45 per player for golf (Weekends). That’s only $120 per player, per day for golf and accommodations!

    Whether you are looking for a place to settle down and raise a family, an active community to retire to or a place for your next buddy trip, Cherokee Valley Course and Club will not disappoint!

    Key Mileage Figures

    14 Miles to Furman University

    18 Miles to Greenville, SC 

    20 Miles to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)

    35 Miles to Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)

    48 Miles to Asheville, NC 

    50 Miles to Clemson University

    102 Miles to Charlotte, NC

  • Off Season Golf at Pinehurst – Play More, Spend Less

    Off Season Golf at Pinehurst – Play More, Spend Less

    2020 was a crazy year. While COVID-19 was a huge downer for the economy, it hit the tourism industry especially hard as people’s travel plans had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. But golf didn’t seem to take as much of a beating. In many places, golf was one of the more popular outdoor activities that you could safely participate in during the lockdown, thanks to the game’s built-in social distancing.

    According to the National Golf Foundation, Golf rounds in June 2020 were up in every state in the continental U.S., including an increase of at least 20% in golf-rich states like Arizona (+29%), Florida (+25%), Georgia (+24%), Texas (+23%), Pennsylvania (+22%) and Ohio (+21%).

    The results of this increase in golf led to a boom in golf club & accessory sales also. According to research firm Golf Datatech, sales of all categories of golf equipment set new records in July 2020. Golf equipment and accessory numbers were the highest for a single month since the company began tracking information in 1997. Sales at on and off-course retailers were $388.6 million, which easily surpassed the previous best two months (June 2007 at $368.1 million and June 2006 at $364.0 million).

    Pinehurst Resort – Offseason Play in the Cradle of American Golf

    I witnessed this mini boom in golf firsthand when I visited Pinehurst Resort in July 2020. Bookings at the resort were through the roof, with near 100% occupancy at the resort’s hotels and tee sheets that were booked solid at all 9 courses. With a packed house and people everywhere, I thought the resort did a really nice job with social distancing and found a good balance between safety, sanitation and hospitality. With ten courses (9 courses + The Cradle short course), three hotels, villas & condos and 10 restaurants, it’s pretty easy to spread people out, and nothing ever feels crowded except at peak meal times.

    Pinehurst - Carolina Hotel
    The Carolina Hotel

    Pinehurst is a special place, and with some time off and nothing better to do, I decided to return and spend Thanksgiving week in the sandhills of North Carolina on a solo pilgrimage. Not only are the crowds light at this time of year, but the Village of Pinehurst and the surrounding area were in full holiday mode when I arrived, which adds to the overall experience. The resort is just a 7 hour drive from home, so I was able to avoid the rush of holiday travelers at the airport.

    The weather was ideal for a holiday golf getaway, with daytime highs in the 70s and evening lows in the high 40s for perfect “sweater weather.” The area was noticeably less crowded than my first trip four months prior in July. It almost felt like I had the whole place to myself. In fact, one morning when I showed up for an early tee time on Pinehurst #4, I literally had the entire practice tee, chipping area and putting green to myself for a while. It was an a amazing sight, given how busy that same area was the first time I was there.

    Pinehurst - early morning
    Pinehurst at Dawn

    For several reasons I think a Thanksgiving visit to Pinehurst is very much worth considering for a family trip or solo getaway. Not only is the weather great and the crowds light, the cost is way cheaper too. For example, from November through February the rates for Pinehurst Resort’s popular Donald Ross Package drop more than 50%!

    The weather cools off in the winter, but most golfers (and especially those living north of the Mason Dixon line) will not be dissuaded, with December and January highs usually in the 50s and February highs climbing into the 60s. Of course there can be big swings in highs and lows, so be sure to check the weather before packing.

    Beyond Pinehurst Resort – North Carolina’s Sandhills

    Pinehurst Resort may be the crown jewel and the center of attention for the region, but there are plenty of other options near by that add to the experience of golf in the Sandhills of North Carolina. My Thanksgiving trip included warm-up stops at Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club and Pine Needles, both fantastic Donald Ross designs that have tons of character and history. The best part? Tee times at both courses were only $85 – A steal if you ask me. Mid Pines is a classic Ross design that is meticulously maintained and virtually unchanged from the original 1921 design, making it an absolute blast to play. Pine Needles will soon be the first course in the nation to host four U.S. Women’s Opens and is the #4 rated course in NC by Golfweek.

    • Tobacco Road #1
      Tobacco Road GC #1
    • Tobacco Road #8
      Tobacco Road GC #8
    • Tobacco Road #9
      Tobacco Road GC #9
    • Tobacco Road #13
      Tobacco Road GC #13
    • Tobacco Road #14
      Tobacco Road GC #14
    • Tobacco Road #18
      Tobacco Road GC #18

    30 minutes north of Pinehurst Village is a golf experience that is unlike anywhere in the world. In 1998, the late Mike Strantz crafted a masterpiece of golf design called Tobacco Road Golf Club. Challenging yet playable, this unique design can be visually overwhelming and playing it can feel a little like riding a roller coaster. It’s not long by modern standards at just over 6500 yards from the longest tees, but it’s very fair. Good shots will be rewarded, but bad shots will be severely punished. I think it must be played to really understand the mystique of the place. In my experience, you either love it or hate it, but most love it. Personally, I think Tobacco Road is in my top 5 golf courses I’ve played in the world. Rates during the winter months vary, but most are under $100 and get cheaper when booked as a package.

    Conclusions

    The sandhills of North Carolina are a mecca for golf in the Eastern United States, and there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy the cradle of American golf year-round. The weather may not always be perfect, but with golf there’s never a guarantee of perfect weather, even at the peak times in spring and early summer. The biggest benefits of visiting Pinehurst in the late fall and winter are twofold – There are less people, and it’s as much as 50% cheaper. My solo trip for Thanksgiving 2020 was fantastic. I enjoyed good weather, uncrowded courses that were still in fantastic shape, equally uncrowded restaurants, and prices that made the entire experience feel like I was stealing.

    BMW X5 M550i

    Pro Tip: During your stay at Pinehurst, be sure to take advantage of the BMW Guest Drive Program that allows guests of the resort to choose any vehicle from a fleet of new BMWs for a free 3-hour test drive. I spent one very entertaining evening in the fantastic 550 horsepower, twin-turbo V8 powered BMW X5 M550i.

  • Pinehurst Resort & JSX Partner for All-Inclusive Summer Golf Getaway

    Pinehurst Resort & JSX Partner for All-Inclusive Summer Golf Getaway

    The Cradle of American Golf and Leading Hop-on Jet Service Offer Direct Flights to Pinehurst from Dallas and New York

    Pinehurst Resort and JSX are offering the ultimate, all-inclusive summer golf getaway featuring non-stop, roundtrip service from Dallas Love Field and Westchester County (N.Y.) Airport to Moore County Airport, just 10 minutes from the resort and historic Village of Pinehurst.

    The limited time, direct route service from these two golf hotbeds is bundled with Pinehurst’s “Summer Tee Golf Package,” one of the resort’s most popular stay-and-play options for golfers looking to experience as much world-class golf as possible over three or four days.

    “We’re proud to partner with Pinehurst Resort to provide crowd-free, worry-free flights to America’s most historic golf destination,” says JSX CEO Alex Wilcox. “By offering a safe and efficient travel experience, we eliminate the uncertainty and hassle of commercial flying to give golfers peace of mind and the absolute fastest way from takeoff to tee time.”

    Pinehurst - Carolina Hotel

    All-Inclusive Packages Highlights:

    • Roundtrip airfare on JSX’s 30-seat luxury jets with business class service and no middle seats
    • Airport transfers from SOP to Pinehurst Resort and back
    • Accommodations at the majestic Carolina Hotel, the “Queen of the South”
    • Three or four rounds of golf on any of the resort’s nine 18-hole courses, including famed No. 2
    • A full breakfast and hearty dinner each day

    Dallas Package Snapshot (Three Nights):

    • Three night-stay, three rounds of golf
    • June 25-28, July 2-5 or July 9-12 (Thurs. – Sun.)
    • Thurs. depart DAL 8 a.m., arrive SOP 11:30 a.m.
    • Sun. depart SOP 6 p.m., arrive DAL 7:30 p.m.
    • Price: $2,499 (double occupancy)

    New York Package Snapshot (Three Nights):

    • Three-night stay, three rounds of golf
    • June 25-28, July 2-5 or July 9-12 (Thurs. – Sun.)
    • Thurs. depart HPN 2:30 p.m., arrive SOP 4 p.m.
    • Sun. depart SOP 2 p.m., arrive HPN 3:30 p.m.
    • Three-Night Price: $2,499 (double occupancy)

    New York Package Snapshot (Four Nights):

    • Four-night stay, four rounds of golf
    • June 28 – July 2 or July 5-9 (Sun. – Thurs.)
    • Sun. depart HPN 4 p.m., arrive SOP 5:30 p.m.
    • Thurs. depart SOP 12:30 p.m., arrive HPN 2 p.m.
    • Price: $2,899 (double occupancy)

    “JSX helps us to deliver an all-inclusive and efficient seasonal travel experience that’s incredibly easy to book and enjoy,” says Tom Pashley, President of Pinehurst Resort. “We look forward to welcoming golfers to the North Carolina Sandhills and the Home of American Golf.”

    For more information or to book the Dallas Package, visit www.pinehurst.com/jsx-dallas-to-pinehurst/; for New York, visit www.pinehurst.com/jsx-new-york-to-pinehurst/.

    About Pinehurst

    Established in 1895 in the Sandhills of North Carolina, Pinehurst Resort & Country Club is a 2,200-acre property featuring nine outstanding golf courses, a 9-hole par-3 course, 16 clay tennis courts, an award-winning spa, other recreation and social activities for families, and elegant accommodations across one hotel, two inns and condos. 

    Widely known as the Cradle of American Golf, Pinehurst hosted more single golf championships – including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup and PGA TOUR Championship – than any other site in North America. 

    In 2024, it will again welcome the U.S. Open. The resort is slightly more than an hour from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 90 minutes from Charlotte Douglas International Airport and only a half-day drive from many east coast cities. To book tee times and golf packages: www.pinehurstresort.com, 855.235.8507.

    About JSX

    Founded in 2016, JSX is a hop-on jet service that’s faster on the ground, more comfortable in the air and competitively priced with flights starting from $89 each way. The company was recently honored by Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) as the 2020 “Best Overall Regional” air carrier in North America and by Fast Company as one of the “Most Innovative Companies” of 2020.

    JSX flights may be booked directly through www.jsx.com, the newly launched JSX mobile app, or through codeshare partner JetBlue on multiple online travel sites (note: “Escape” package is not available through JetBlue). TrueBlue members may earn points on JSX flights. 

    JSX currently serves six destinations daily from Burbank (BUR), Orange County (SNA), Oakland (OAK), East Bay/Napa/Concord (CCR), Las Vegas (LAS), and Phoenix (PHX) as well as seasonal and pop-up service to Pinehurst, Mammoth Lakes, Monterey and Coachella Valley. 

    JSX’s luxuriously appointed Embraer 135 and 145 jets may also be chartered for group trips, corporate events or other travel. For a custom quote, contact 800-iFLYJSX.   

  • Honma Fitting Experience at Orlando’s Reunion Resort

    Honma Fitting Experience at Orlando’s Reunion Resort

    Orlando is a great place for golf, with great weather year-round and plenty of great courses to choose from. The central florida region has everything from inexpensive public courses to high-end resorts and ultra-private country clubs. Many of the world’s best professional golfers also make central Florida home, which has had a ripple effect by attracting many aspiring young players to the area, along with several big-name teaching pros like David Leadbetter, Brad Brewer, Mike Bender, Brain Mogg, Sean Foley, Gary Gilchrist and others.

    With such a wealth of great courses, good players and top notch instruction, it also makes sense that some of the best club fitters would be hanging around the Orlando area.

    Fitting has become much more popular in recent years due to the advancement of launch monitor technology, adjustability of golf clubs and the relative lack of technological innovation because of the USGA limits for golf club performance. To get the most out of that fancy new driver, it’s very important to get fitted for the right shaft and club head for your swing.

    Honma Golf: Japanese Artistry & Precision

    Since 1959, the Honma name and logo have been synonymous with quality, performance and legendary craftsmanship. These days technology seems to be a top priority for many golf club manufacturers, but few companies are able to deliver innovative technology while still making a beautiful looking golf club like Honma can.

    Honma is perhaps best known for their opulent BERES models with ranks from 2-star to 5-star, which denotes the level of “bling” built into the club and the experience level of the master takumi (Japanese for artisan) that build the clubs by hand in Sakata, Japan for each buyer. The 5-star Beres woods and irons have features like 24-karat gold accents, gold flake in the shaft’s paint and platinum ferrule rings. The Honma Beres 5-star driver retails for $4500 and complete sets with hand-stitched ostrich bag retail for as much as $70,000.

    Club Fitting The Honma Way

    It’s one thing to put your game in the hands of a guy that works at a big box retail store, but if you are going to invest time and money into a new set of clubs from a company like Honma, why not put your trust in someone that knows the equipment and the golf swing better than most?

    This is why Honma Golf has invested in the US market by opening several new fitting centers located in world-class destinations to provide expert, one-on-one fittings for their clubs. One such fitting center is located at the fantastic Reunion Resort near Disney World and just outside Orlando.

    Reunion Resort is the only golf facility in the world with courses designed by Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. The Honma Fitting Experience takes place in a private, secluded indoor/outdoor setting at the back of the range using high-tech Foresight GC Quad launch monitors under the watchful eye of PGA Professional Dick Smith, Jr.

    The fitting center has the entire range of Honma drivers, fairways, hybrids, irons and wedges along with a full matrix of proprietary and custom third-party shafts available. In other words, every possible head & shaft combination is available to you at the Honma Fitting Experience.

    Honma has a rich history in golf, and they take full advantage of the opportunity to show off a bit at this beautiful facility with a showroom full of high-end limited release merchandise and a cool, nostalgic display of some memorable Honma clubs from yesteryear. No expense was spared in making your fitting for Honma clubs a worthwhile and enjoyable experience. Check out the video below and see for yourself!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU15RabEggI

    Pricing & How to Book

    The Honma fitting experience is on par with most other high-end fitters in the area. Driver fittings cost $150 and a full bag fitting is $350. Fees for fairway & hybrids, wedges or irons range from $100 to $200.

    Interested in booking a fitting for yourself? It’s easy. Just visit this website and schedule your fitting online, or call (856) 237-4134

  • Mountain Golf Escape: Rumbling Bald Resort on North Carolina’s Lake Lure

    Mountain Golf Escape: Rumbling Bald Resort on North Carolina’s Lake Lure

    There’s always been a certain magical quality to mountain golf. In the Carolinas, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Charleston and the Brunswick Islands have more than their fair share of outstanding layouts. And the central Piedmont of both states surprises with some real hidden gems.

    But there’s something special about packing up the car full of golf gear and heading into the North Carolina’s stunning section of Blue Ridge Mountains. Maybe it’s the cooler weather in the late spring and summer. In the fall, it is all about the colorful foliage and playing golf in a sweater or fleece pullover.

    For most golfers, though, the connection is more visceral than the weather. Mountain golf is a way to escape the pace and stress of today’s hurry-up, always-on lifestyle. Rumbling Bald Resort on North Carolina’s stunning Lake Lure is all about offering golfers a refuge from the daily grind.

    “We want golfers to get here, unplug, play 18 or 36 holes and shed the stress of the hurry-up, always-on lifestyle we lead,” says Jeff Geisler, General Manager at Rumbling Bald Resort. “Post round, they can relax over a hearty meal and a cold beverage, then retreat to the deck of their vacation rental with cigar or night cap.”

    The Golf Courses

    Adam Bowles, Head of Golf Operations at Rumbling Bald, is quick to point out that the resort’s two mountain courses, Apple Valley and Bald Mountain, offer decidedly different, yet complementary, experiences.

    Bowles says the key to playing Bald Mountain is understanding the effects of uphill and downhills slopes. Longtime Laurel of Asheville golf writer Chuck Werle once said Bald Mountain designer W.B. Lewis was “part man, part mountain goat.”

    “Bald Mountain is what most golfers would refer to as a classic mountain course,” says Bowles. “The back nine especially offers a mix of uphill and downhill holes that require adjustments in club selection, trajectory and spin.”

    One case in point being the par-4 11 hole. The uphill approach shot is the most extreme on the course and can easily call for an extra club or two, depending on the wind speed and direction. It’s the 383-yard par-4 10th hole preceding 11 that is one of Bowles favorite on the layout, however.

    An elevated tee shot offers harrowing glimpse of a creek on the left and a thick row of trees on the right that appears to extend all the way into the fairway. The approach shot is to an elevated green with the putting surface completely hidden from sight. Most golfers under-club, says Bowles, leaving a chip shot into a slanted green.

    A manageable 6,300 yards from the back tees, Bald Mountain is renowned for its unique configuration of five par 5s and five par 3s. Movie buffs appreciate the 16th green, the backdrop of a scene from the famed 1987 rom-con “Dirty Dancing” staring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze.   

    Rumbling Bald’s marquee course, Apple Valley stretches to nearly 6,800 yards and features expansive views of Bald Mountain and the surrounding Lake Lure area. The course was designed by North Carolina-based architect Dan Maples, whose father Ellis was a prolific golf course designer and accomplished superintendent who apprenticed under Donald Ross. 

    Maples estimated 75% of shots at Apple Valley are either level or downhill, virtually unheard for a mountain course. Glistening mountain lakes adorn 12 holes, but water only occasionally comes into play.

    “You get the best of both worlds on Apple Valley and that’s what keeps golfers coming back and new golfers coming in for the first time,” says Golf Operations Manager Adam Bowles.

    Bowles is particularly fond of Apple Valley’s finishing stretch, capped by the 564-yard par-5 18th.  A true three-shotter, a pond runs along the right side of the fairway starting about 300 yards out, extending past the green. The second shot needs to be long enough to setup a short approach to a green guarded by bunkers on both sides.

    Bald Mountain 1
    Bald Mountain GC
    Bald Mountain 2
    Bald Mountain #17
    Apple-Valley-No.-7
    Apple Valley #7

    The Lodging Lineup

    The resort’s 150 vacation rental homes, condos and studios feature both golf course and mountain views. Post round, golfers can relax at Legends on the Lake, casual dining on shores of Lake Lure, or grab a hearty sandwich and cold drink at Pinnacle Southern Kitchen at the Apple Valley clubhouse.

    Rumbling Bald is rich with amenities and activities, including scenic Lake Lure boat tours, boat rentals, tennis, pickleball and hiking trails. It’s the perfect basecamp for exploring the natural wonders of western North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

    To learn more about Rumbling Bald’s golf courses and packages, visit www.rumblingbald.com, or call (828) 694.3072.

    Getting There

    Rumbling Bald Resort is an hour east of Asheville and 1.5 hours north of the Greenville-Spartanburg metro area in Upstate South Carolina. Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville and other metro areas in the southeast are under a half day’s drive. Long a popular summer destination for Floridians, Rumbling Bald is just a six-hour drive from Jacksonville and eight-hour ride from Orlando.

    Golfers can expect high temps in the 70s and 80s in May, and the mid to high 80s June through August. Its Blue Ridge Mountain location means lower humidity and cooler nights than most the Southeastern U.S. in the summer.

  • Parform CDB Gum

    Parform CDB Gum

    CBD – The Hottest Three Letters in Golf for 2020. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years, you’ve probably already heard of CBD. Everybody’s doing it, but not everybody is doing it right. What I mean by that is, the FDA is still studying this emerging market and so far hasn’t imposed many regulations pertaining to the manufacture and sale of CBD products, but they are still subject to the same laws and requirements as FDA-regulated products that contain any other substance.

    Caution: Science Ahead!

    CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is one of the active ingredients of cannabis (marijuana). Even though CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, it is actually derived from the hemp plant, a cousin of the marijuana plant.

    The market for CBD products has blown up in the United States since the 2018 Farm Bill that removed hemp from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. Hemp is defined as cannabis and cannabis derivatives with very low concentrations (no more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis) of THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol – The main psychoactive constituent of cannabis that produces the “high” feeling.

    It’s important to note that without THC – The presence of which usually determines its legality depending on which country or US state you are in – CBD does not produce a “high” like marijuana does.

    According to the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”

    What is Parform?

    Like I mentioned before, everybody’s doing CBD, but not everybody is doing it right. One of the companies that is doing it right is called Parform. They are a group of health advocates and nutrition experts whose focus is golf-specific training and nutrition.

    Among their popular nutrition products is one that I have been trying – Parform’s CBD gum. I’ve tried various CBD products in the form of tinctures, gummies, drink powders, lotions, creams and bars, but Parform’s CBD gum is maybe the simplest and most convenient way to get your CBD fix.

    Benefits of CBD Gum

    • Alternative to pills, capsules and liquids
    • THC Free
    • May help reduce inflammation
    • May help reduce anxiety
    • May help soothe general aches & pains
    • Fast Absorption
    • Consumer Friendly
    • For the 40% of people who do not like swallowing any type of pill 

    The benefits of CBD chewing gum mirror the benefits of all other CBD products. When the phytocannabinoids from broad spectrum hemp reach the bloodstream, they interact with and support the endocannabinoid system.

    CBD Isolate may help: 

    • Support joint and muscle function.
    • Promote tranquility.
    • Support a good night’s sleep.
    • Promote healthy skin.
    • Support post-workout recovery.
    • Maintain a relaxed mood.

    The acting of chewing increases some of the benefits of CBD. For instance, one study found that chewing gum increased overall alertness by 10%. For those (like me) who use CBD products for their mental clarity, chewing gum may actually be a more effective way of doing it!

    Parform CBD gum is available in 10mg and 20 mg doses. The 10 mg version is offered in spearmint, peppermint and grape flavors, while the 20 mg dose is only available in peppermint flavor. Retail price for a 10-pack of the 10 mg is $19.99 and a 10-pack of 20 mg retails for $29.99.

  • Golf Groups, Buddy Trips Find a Home at Pinehurst Resort’s Reimagined Manor Inn

    Golf Groups, Buddy Trips Find a Home at Pinehurst Resort’s Reimagined Manor Inn

    There’s no shortage of world-class accommodations at Pinehurst Resort. The famed Carolina Hotel with its sweeping verandas, regal white exterior and signature copper roof, exudes the very essence and spirit of Pinehurst.

    The charming, intimate Holly Inn located in the heart of the Village is Pinehurst’s oldest hotel, having opened in 1895. It’s wildly popular with returning guests who relish a taste of vintage Pinehurst, as well as cocktail in the Tavern and four course dinner at the 1895 Grille.

    And now, Pinehurst Resort’s Manor Inn has been reborn as a haven for golf groups and buddy trips. Fitting, considering the 43-room hotel on the corner of Magnolia and Community Roads was a favorite of a young Arnold Palmer when he visited the “Cradle of American Golf” during his salad days.

    The King was always the life of the party during his days on the PGA Tour and would no doubt approve of the Manor Inn’s new look and esprit de corps positioning. One can almost envision him holding court in the Inn’s Library or embroiled in a poker game in the cozy Club Room.

    First opened in 1923 and acquired in 1990 by the resort, golfers like Palmer and his father Deacon have gravitated toward Manor Inn’s relaxed vibe, cozy enclaves and off-the-beaten-path location a short walk from The Carolina Hotel and resort hub.

    Now, that gravitational pull is even stronger, buoyed by a spacious, communal lobby, larger king and double queen rooms with hardwood floors and two finely appointed hospitality suites that accommodate groups up to 20 (available for the entire length of stay).

    The centerpiece of lobby is the North & South Bar. Featuring a vast selection of fine whiskey and craft beers from Pinehurst Brewing Co. next door, the bar is adorned with vintage advertising and photos paying homage to the historic North & South Amateur Championship, played at Pinehurst since 1901.

    The bar’s signature element is the dramatic ceiling, with an illustration of the original routing of Donald Ross’ first four courses at Pinehurst.

    And it’s not just what’s inside the renovated Manor Inn that will astound guests. A new patio outside the North & South Bar features three firepits, seating for 20 and a soothing water feature (a full day of golf can be a strenuous endeavor).

    Sipping a single malt Scotch or fresh IPA on the patio, the view is slightly downhill to Pinehurst Brewing Co., below. Opened in 2018, “PBC” quickly emerged as the Village of Pinehurst’s most popular gathering spot. Housed in the old steam plant building, it serves up award-winning brews, barbeque smoked onsite and handcrafted pizza.

    The lone original component to the Manor following the renovation is its fabled exterior structure of the unique Kellastone, a special stucco-style building material that was new to the era and known for its permanence.

    “Our intention was to improve upon and modernize the guest experience while still preserving the Manor’s unique charm,” said Bob Dedman, Jr., Pinehurst Resort’s chief executive offer. “I think we’ve accomplished that in fine fashion. Our mantra is simple: always Pinehurst, but always better.”

    For Pinehurst Resort, “better” has included an astonishing run over the past decade, bookended by the restoration of its famed No. 2 course by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in 2011, and renovation of No. 4 by Gil Hanse in 2018.

    Pinehurst No 4 – 11th hole

    Also, during this historic span, the resort opened the country’s most talked about short course, The Cradle, acquired nearby National Golf Club and rebranded it as No. 9 and expanded its 18-hole putting course (Thistle Dhu).

    Golfers now have more dining options than ever before, with the aforementioned PBC (owned by the resort) and addition of The Deuce, a full-service bar and grill in the clubhouse overlooking the 18th green of No. 2.

    The resort’s Donald Ross Golf Package is an excellent option for experiencing the Manor Inn and a sampling of Pinehurst’s championship golf lineup. It includes a two-night stay, three rounds of golf, overflowing breakfast buffet and dinner, daily.

    For more information or to check rates and availability, visit www.pinehurst.com.

  • Tee Times for 119th US Open Championship at Pebble Beach

    Tee Times for 119th US Open Championship at Pebble Beach

    The United States Golf Association announced the tee times for the first two rounds of the 2019 U.S. Open Championship, starting on Thursday, June 13th and Friday, June 14th, 2019 at the 7,075-yard, par-71 Pebble Beach Golf Links. The field of 156 players will play 36 holes of stroke play, after which the field will be reduced to the low 60 scores and ties.

    If there is a tie after 72 holes, a two-hole aggregate playoff will immediately follow. This is a new playoff format that became effective in 2018. If this playoff results in a tie, the tied players will immediately continue to play off hole-by-hole until the winner is determined. The USGA stated this change was because of a desire for a Sunday finish.

    All Times Pacific Daylight Time

    Thursday (June 13, 2019), Hole #1 / Friday (June 14, 2019), Hole #10

    6:45 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. – Sam Saunders, Atlantic Beach, Fla.; Carlos Ortiz, Mexico; Marcus Fraser, Australia

    6:56 a.m. / 12:41 p.m. – TBD; Erik Van Rooyen, South Africa; (a) Chun An Yu, Chinese Taipei

    7:07 a.m. / 12:52 p.m. – Ryan Fox, New Zealand; Thorbjorn Olesen, Denmark; TBD

    7:18 a.m. / 1:03 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Dallas, Texas; (a) Matt Parziale, Brockton, Mass.; Nick Taylor, Canada

    7:29 a.m. / 1:14 p.m. – Patton Kizzire, Sea Island, Ga.; (a) Jovan Rebula, South Africa; Jason Dufner, Auburn, Ala.

    7:40 a.m. / 1:25 p.m. – Haotong Li, People’s Republic of China; Bubba Watson, Bagdad, Fla.; J.B. Holmes, Lexington, Ky.

    7:51 a.m. / 1:36 p.m. – Zach Johnson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Martin Kaymer, Germany; Ernie Els, South Africa

    8:02 a.m. / 1:47 p.m. – Si Woo Kim, Republic of Korea; Rickie Fowler, Murrieta, Calif.; Jason Day, Australia

    8:13 a.m. / 1:58 p.m. – Shane Lowry, Republic of Ireland; Tyrrell Hatton, England; Gary Woodland, Topeka, Kan.

    8:24 a.m. / 2:09 p.m. – Cameron Smith, Australia; Matthew Wallace, England; Xander Schauffele, San Diego, Calif.

    8:35 a.m. / 2:20 p.m. – C.T. Pan, Chinese Taipei; Abraham Ancer, Mexico; (a) Brandon Wu, Scarsdale, N.Y.

    8:46 a.m. / 2:31 p.m. – Chan Kim, Gilbert, Ariz.; Justin Walters, South Africa; TBD

    8:57 a.m. / 2:42 p.m. – Nick Hardy, Northbrook, Ill.; (a) Noah Norton, Chico, Calif.; Andreas Halvorsen, Norway

    Thursday (June 13, 2019), Hole #10 / Friday (June 14, 2019), Hole #1

    6:45 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. – (a) Luis Gagne, Orlando, Fla.; Sepp Straka, Valdosta, Ga.; Julian Etulain, Argentina

    6:56 a.m. / 12:41 p.m. – Dean Burmester, South Africa; TBD; Kyounghoon Lee, Republic of Korea

    7:07 a.m. / 12:52 p.m. – Clement Sordet, France; Tom Hoge, Fargo, N.D.; Adri Arnaus, Spain

    7:18 a.m. / 1:03 p.m. – Brian Davis, Windermere, Fla.; (a) Kevin O’Connell, Jacksonville, Fla.; Billy Hurley III, Annapolis, Md.

    7:29 a.m. / 1:14 p.m. – Brendon Todd, Watkinsville, Ga.; Luke Donald, England; Mike Weir, Canada

    7:40 a.m. / 1:25 p.m. – Kyle Stanley, Gig Harbor, Wash.; Billy Horschel, Ponte Vedra, Fla.; Danny Willett, England

    7:51 a.m. / 1:36 p.m. – Jon Rahm, Spain; Marc Leishman, Australia; Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland

    8:02 a.m. / 1:47 p.m. – Justin Thomas, Louisville, Ky.; Kevin Kisner, Aiken, S.C.; Bryson DeChambeau, Clovis, Calif.

    8:13 a.m. / 1:58 p.m. – Dustin Johnson, Jupiter, Fla.; Phil Mickelson, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; Graeme McDowell, Northern Ireland

    8:24 a.m. / 2:09 p.m. – Hideki Matsuyama, Japan; Sergio Garcia, Spain; Tommy Fleetwood, England

    8:35 a.m. / 2:20 p.m. – Jhonattan Vegas, Venezuela; Patrick Reed, Houston, Texas; Louis Oosthuizen, South Africa

    8:46 a.m. / 2:31 p.m. – Rob Oppenheim, Andover, Mass.; Rhys Enoch, Wales; Richard Lee, Bellevue, Wash.

    8:57 a.m. / 2:42 p.m. – Andy Pope, Glen Ellyn, Ill.; Ryan Sullivan, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Matthew Naumec, Wilbraham, Mass.

    Thursday (June 13), Hole #1 / Friday (June 14), Hole #10

    12:30 p.m. / 6:45 a.m. – Rory Sabbatini, Slovakia; Sam Horsfield, England; Roberto Castro, Atlanta, Ga.

    12:41 p.m. / 6:56 a.m. – (a) Cameron Young, Scarborough, N.Y.; Marcus Kinhult, Sweden; Brian Stuard, Jackson, Mich.

    12:52 p.m. / 7:07 a.m. – Luke Guthrie, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.; Joseph Bramlett, San Jose, Calif.; Charlie Danielson, Osceola, Wis.

    1:03 p.m. / 7:18 a.m. – (a) Austin Eckroat, Edmond, Okla.; Alexander Noren, Sweden; Charles Howell III, Orlando, Fla.

    1:14 p.m. / 7:29 a.m. – Thomas Pieters, Belgium; Chesson Hadley, Raleigh, N.C.; (a) Stewart Hagestad, Newport Beach, Calif.

    1:25 p.m. / 7:40 a.m. – Paul Casey, England; Patrick Cantlay, North Palm Beach, Fla.; Lucas Glover, Jupiter, Fla.

    1:36 p.m. / 7:51 a.m. – Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Thailand; Keith Mitchell, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Shugo Imahira, Japan

    1:47 p.m. / 8:02 a.m. – Francesco Molinari, Italy; (a) Viktor Hovland, Norway; Brooks Koepka, West Palm Beach, Fla.

    1:58 p.m. / 8:13 a.m. – Tony Finau, Lehi, Utah; Jimmy Walker, Boerne, Texas; Ian Poulter, England

    2:09 p.m. / 8:24 a.m. – Jordan Spieth, Dallas, Texas; Justin Rose, England; Tiger Woods, Hobe Sound, Fla.

    2:20 p.m. / 8:35 a.m. – Daniel Berger, Jupiter, Fla.; Matthew Jones, Australia; Kodai Ichihara, Japan

    2:31 p.m. / 8:46 a.m. – Matthieu Pavon, France; (a) Chandler Eaton, Alpharetta, Ga.; Callum Tarren, England

    2:42 p.m. / 8:57 a.m. – Eric Dietrich, Cheshire, Conn.; Guillermo Pereira, Chile; Brett Drewitt, Australia

    Thursday (June 13), Hole #10 / Friday (June 14), Hole #1

    12:30 p.m. / 6:45 a.m. – Nathan Lashley, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Renato Paratore, Italy; Lee Slattery, England

    12:41 p.m. / 6:56 a.m. – TBD; Collin Morikawa, La Canada Flintridge, Calif.; Aaron Wise, Las Vegas, Nev.

    12:52 p.m. / 7:07 a.m. – Merrick Bremner, South Africa; Chip McDaniel, Manchester, Ky.; Cody Gribble, Dallas, Texas

    1:03 p.m. / 7:18 a.m. – (a) Michael Thorbjornsen, Wellesley, Mass.; Chez Reavie, Scottsdale, Ariz.; David Toms, Shreveport, La.

    1:14 p.m. / 7:29 a.m. – Rafa Cabrera Bello, Spain; Kevin Na, Las Vegas, Nev.; Keegan Bradley, Woodstock, Vt.

    1:25 p.m. / 7:40 a.m. – Jim Furyk, Jacksonville, Fla.; Henrik Stenson, Sweden; Brandt Snedeker, Nashville, Tenn.

    1:36 p.m. / 7:51 a.m. – Luke List, Augusta, Ga.; Lucas Bjerregaard, Denmark; Branden Grace, South Africa

    1:47 p.m. / 8:02 a.m. – Webb Simpson, Charlotte, N.C.; Adam Scott, Australia; Matt Kuchar, Sea Island, Ga.

    1:58 p.m. / 8:13 a.m. – Byeong Hun An, Republic of Korea; (a) Devon Bling, Ridgecrest, Calif.; Matthew Fitzpatrick, England

    2:09 p.m. / 8:24 a.m. – Justin Harding, South Africa; Aaron Baddeley, Australia; TBD

    2:20 p.m. / 8:35 a.m. – Ollie Schniederjans, Alpharetta, Ga.; Mikumu Horikawa, Japan; Anirban Lahiri, India

    2:31 p.m. / 8:46 a.m. – (a) Daniel Hillier, New Zealand; Alex Prugh, Spokane, Wash.; Zac Blair, Orem, Utah

    2:42 p.m. / 8:57 a.m. – Hayden Shieh, Fremont, Calif.; (a) Spencer Tibbits, Vancouver, Wash.; Connor Arendell, Cape Coral, Fla.

  • PING G410 Driver – First Look

    PING G410 Driver – First Look

    PING has been on a roll for a number of years, especially when it comes to drivers. I’ve had a PING driver in my bag since 2015 with the fantastic G30. At the time it was one of the most forgiving and consistent drivers I ever played. Then came the “G” driver, and last year the G400 driver, which combined with a custom shaft from TPT Golf produced a 9-yard gain in carry distance!

    • Ping G410 Driver
    • Ping G410 Driver
    • Ping G410 Driver
    • Ping G410 Driver

    The latest offering in the never-ending driver wars is PING’s new G410 driver. Given the great performance and sales success of the previous models, PING had a tough task in improving on the G400. Instead of reinventing the wheel, they’ve improved the adjustability with a moveable weight instead of fixed one and tweaked the design for better aerodynamics.

    It’s difficult for any manufacturer to realistically promise more distance since they have all been engineered to the maximum tolerances that golf’s governing bodies allow. The USGA max limit for Characteristic Time (CT) is 257 microseconds. In simple terms, CT is the measure of how springy the face of a club is. A higher CT means a higher rebound effect, leading to faster ball speeds and more distance.

    Because virtually all drivers are manufactured to the highest tolerances possible these days, performance comes down to custom fitting a club for each golfer by tweaking spin rates & launch angle. This is done by changing shafts and moving weights around until the best combination is found. The new PING G410 offeres greater adjustability than the previous generation with the moveable weight in the back that can be adjusted for neutral, draw or fade bias positions.

    Specs

    The G410 driver is available in two models:

    The G410 Plus is available in 9, 10.5 or 12-degree lofts. Standard length is 45 3/4″ long with a 206g head weight, 455cc head size, and D3 swing weight. The head weight is adjustable for neutral, fade or draw bias positions.

    The slice fighting G410 SFT (Straight Flight Technology) driver is available in 10.5 degrees with a 204 g head weight and D1 swing weight. The weight is fixed in a draw biased position.

    Pricing

    Street price at TGW.com and Dick’s Sporting Goods is $499. Custom options will drive the price to $549 and up.

  • You Can’t Miss the New TaylorMade TP5 Pix Golf Balls

    You Can’t Miss the New TaylorMade TP5 Pix Golf Balls

    Clearly, the era of boring, plain white golf balls is over. Every year at the PGA Merchandise Show – the golf industry’s annual trade show – more and more companies are showing off new golf balls with ever more bright and creative graphics.

    Very conspicuously, TaylorMade Golf wasn’t at the PGA Show this year. In a weird way, their absence had almost as much impact as if they had been in attendance. For example, the release of a new golf ball doesn’t normally create waves, but since we didn’t see the new TP5 Pix golf balls at the PGA Show, this announcement is now more impactful. Well played TaylorMade… I think?

    The new TP5 Pix golf balls are the same excellent TP5 golf ball, with some distinct graphics added for greater visual impact. As TaylorMade describes it: The TP5 Pix golf balls are “optically designed using advanced visual technology to offer more visibility in The Most Complete Tour Ball in TaylorMade’s product lineup.”

    Tech Talk

    Pix, derived from ‘pixelated’, was designed following extensive research with partners at Indiana University, who also helped them design their latest putter line.

    From the official press release: “First and foremost, Pix™ is easier to see than a normal white golf ball. The human eye processes lighter colors more efficiently when it’s darker and darker colors when it’s lighter. It’s this phenomenon that led designers to the two-color design of TP5 Pix. Whereas most competitive products have only one color within a single image or shape, TP5 Pix’s unique design features 2 colors within one shape, further enhancing visibility and delivering a product that’s easy to see, regardless of the time of play during the day. Producing this shape requires a unique, one-of-a-kind printing machine which has taken more than 18 months to design and develop.”

    Seems to me like a lot of words to say “we’ve painted this cool pattern on our golf ball so you can see it better.” Naturally, there’s some science behind the design of the pattern and the colors they used, but in the end it will allow the golfer to see the spin of the golf ball on short shots and putts.

    As I’m currently gaming the TP5 myself, I’ll be putting these in play to see if they help me visualize the spin of my pushed and pulled putts or chunked chip shots! (Just kidding, I never push putts. The pulls though…UGH)

    Taylor Made Golf TP5 Pix Golf Balls

    Pricing & Availability

    TP5 Pix will be available (US and Canada only) at retail on March 22 at an MSRP of $44.99 USD per dozen. Pix is not currently available in the TP5x golf ball. To learn more about TP5 Pix or any of TaylorMade’s ’19 golf ball offerings, visit TaylorMadeGolf.com.

  • Check Out Rickie Fowler’s New Shoes

    Check Out Rickie Fowler’s New Shoes

    PUMA Golf’s new IGNITE PROADAPT Shoes are here – Here’s a sneak peek!

    • White/Gray Violet
    • White/Gray Violet
    • Gray Violet/White
    • Gray Violet/White
    • Black/Dark Shadow
    • Black/Dark Shadow

    PUMA Golf’s IGNITE PROADAPT footwear is almost here, and they look sharp! This is the shoe worn on the PGA Tour by fan favorite Rickie Fowler. They have the stable, full-grain leather upper design preferred by Rickie. In fact, he debuted PROADAPT earlier this season and relied on them during his recent victory at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.   

    From the official press release – “During the footwear design and creation process, we work with our Tour team, utilizing their feedback to deliver shoes that reflect the feel and performance desired by the best golfers in the world,” said Andrew Lawson, Footwear Product Line Manager at PUMA Golf.  “Rickie was involved from the earliest stages of design, expressing his desire for an upper that provides a ton of support with premium styling. Better players will love these shoes as they offer comfort, maximum stability, ground traction and motion control through your golf swing.”

    The PUMA IGNITE PROADAPT footwear comes with a one-year waterproof warranty and feature technologies such as:

    ·       Pro-Fit Insole – This ultra-soft, yet supportive PU insole provides excellent fit, performance and long-lasting comfort on the course.  

    ·       Adaptive Fit System – Dual-layer, decoupled collar construction utilizes premium full-grain leather materials and a molded comfort collar to provide the comfort of a running shoe, but the look of a high-end leather shoe. 

    ·       Atlantis Leather Upper – Ultra-premium, full-grain leather upper delivers soft feel, enhanced quality and sophisticated look.  

    ·       IGNITE Foam – Revolutionary and proprietary PU foam provides ideal energy return, responsive comfort, stable cushioning and superior step-in comfort eliminating typical new footwear “break-in period.”

    ·       Pro-Form TPU – Premium TPU Outsole compound delivers high performance, grip and abrasion resistance on all surfaces.  

    ·       Tornado Cleat – a dual talon, low-profile cleat provides excellent traction and long-lasting abrasion resistance, and is easy to change out using the Fast Twist 3.0 system.  

    The PROADAPTs are available in three colors and will carry a retail price of $200.

    The PUMA IGNITE PROADAPTs are available now for pre-sale on PUMGAGOLF.com and at select retailers. They officially hit stores on March 13, 2019.

  • CADI is Changing Golf Retail

    CADI is Changing Golf Retail

    For decades, the usual procedure for buying new clubs was to drop by the local golf retailer and buy your clubs off the rack. If you were lucky, one of your friends had the same club(s) and you got a chance to try it for a few swings before you bought it. Chances are more likely however, that the new driver sitting in your bag was a blind purchase. You took a chance that it would work out. Sometimes it does and you love the club, but most of the time it doesn’t and the club either sits in the garage or ends up as a trade-in or eBay auction. Now that driver prices have risen beyond the $500 mark, it’s no longer worth it to simply buy a driver off the shelf without a live demo first.

    That’s where the ingenious Cadi Kiosk comes in. Every day can be a demo day if your course has a Cadi Kiosk installed. Simply use the touch screen interface to browse from a selection of the latest driver, fairway, hybrid and putter models, choose the one you like, swipe your credit card and a door will open with your club within reach. Simply grab it and it’s yours to try for the day on the course! Warm up with the club, take it on the course and hit it under real conditions. If you love the club, simply keep it and your card will be charged the full purchase amount. Easy peasy!

    If you don’t like it or want to try something else, just return to the Cadi Kiosk and scan the club’s barcode. The system will ask if you want to return or exchange the club and you simply follow along. When returning the club, it will open a locked door for you to insert the club, then you simply walk away. The fee for a full day demo will likely be around $10. If you end up purchasing the club, the demo fee is credited back to you.

    During the demo process, it is inevitable that some clubs will start to show signs of use. Not only will the Cadi Kiosk’s inventory will be updated regularly with new clubs, but the prices of slightly used demo clubs will also be adjusted to reflect their condition. This is another way to save money if you don’t mind buying a slightly used club.

    With Cadi, there’s no need to go to the big box or specialty golf retailer. If you prefer to hit clubs on the course in real conditions instead of into a net or some jacked-up simulator, the Cadi Kiosk is for you. For golf course operators, placing a Cadi kiosk in a strategic location is a simple and effective way to enhance the golfer experience and expand their services without carrying more inventory.

    Cadi plans to offer drivers, fairways, hybrids and putters from the most popular brands such as Callaway, Taylor Made, Cobra, Titleist/Scotty Cameron and more. The first of their innovative Kiosks is located at Orange Lake Resort in Kissimmee, Florida near the theme parks in Orlando. Plans are to open more locations in Florida and California in the near future.

    For more information and to locate a Cadi Kiosk near you, visit https://www.cadikiosk.com or check out their Facebook Page!

  • 3 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Golfers

    3 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Golfers

    We’re in the home stretch for Christmas shopping, and most shipping deadlines are December 21, so in case you haven’t found those last few items for the golfers on your list out there, here are a few last minute gift ideas that should still arrive on time – But you’ll have to hurry!

    Golfballs.com – FREE Personalization!

    Golfballs.comPrices: Options for all budgets

     

    Golfballs.com allows customers to buy their favorite golf balls from all the top brands and customize them for FREE! Better still, customers can order as late as December 21 and still have their gifts arrive by Christmas.  Not just golf balls, choose from a selection of bags, apparel, tees, and more – each available with the industry’s largest selection of customization options, including: personal photos, custom logos, monogrammed initials, personalized text, embroidery, numbers, novelty images and the best tool for lining up putts, AlignXL™. Golfballs.com also offers a variety of pre-packaged gift boxes, including the Bottle Opener, Poker Chip Set and Classic Divot Tool.

     

    Rocket Tour Headcovers – MSRP: $39 – 43

    www.RocketTour.com

    Rocket Tour HeadcoversHand-crafted and finished personally by founder Helena Stanton in Boulder, CO., Rocket Tour headcovers are the perfect gift sets to get the golfer in your life ready for the next season. Sported by more than 300-plus NCAA golf programs, show off alma mater pride or just your favorite colors with the variety of signature striped, solid and argyle designs available for drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, and putters. Whichever flag you are flying, Rocket Tour has your bag covered.

     

     

     

    TecTecTec ULT-X Golf Laser Rangefinder

    Rocket Tour HeadcoversMSRP: $249.99

    www.US.TecTecTec.com

    Amazon’s No.1 selling golf rangefinder brand, TecTecTec, has launched its most advanced model to-date, the ULT-X. Among the new features are Target Lock Technology (TLT), which vibrates when players are locked on to the target, and a visible slope toggle (displays elevation adjusted distanced) that can be easily disengaged for USGA-conforming play. ULT-X accurately measures distances up to 300 yards – precise within 0.3 yards. The premium, multi-layered optical lens combined with diopter adjustment and 6x magnification provide an ultra-clear and accurate view. All TecTecTec rangefinders are backed by a two-year warranty, 24/7 access to customer service and a full refund on products returned within 30 days of purchase.

  • 2018 Holiday Gift Guide

    2018 Holiday Gift Guide

    2018 has been a pretty good year for golf, despite course closures all around the globe and the unfortunate trend of driver prices regularly creeping up to and past the $500 mark. There is more technology than ever out there for golfers of all abilities to get the most out of their game. Since the holiday shopping season is upon us again, here are some gift ideas for the serious golfer on your list, or yourself!

    Clubs

    • Ping G400 – Arguably the best driver in golf, it is among the top 3 sellers and owners of one like me will be happy to tell you how good it is. Paired with a high-performance shaft from TPT Golf, I gained 9 yards and hit it straighter too. Demand for the #1 selling G400 MAX is high, with prices rising to more than $500. ($570.00 on Amazon)
    • Wilson Cortex  – If you watch the Golf Channel, you are probably familiar with the hit show Driver vs Driver that gave us the controversial Wilson Triton driver a few seasons ago. Driver vs Driver 2 just wrapped up and this year’s winning club is called the Wilson Cortex, and it has already hit the market. The buzz with this club is that it produces very low spin. If you are a Wilson fan and your driver is a few generations old, the Cortex is a must hit! ($498.95 on Amazon)
    • Miura irons – Japanese company Miura Golf has been forging some of the best quality irons in the world for many years, and they keep getting better. Previously available only through high-end club fitters, Miura is now making custom sets available direct from the manufacturer. The new MC-501 irons have been an object of sheer lust for me since I first saw them at the PGA Show a while back. (Iron sets starting at $1350 and up)

    Wilson-Cortex-Driver
    Wilson Cortex Driver

    Training

    • Putting Mirror – I’ve been using my EyeLine putting mirror for a few years now and it has helped me become more consistent on the greens. Many of the top players in the world use similar mirrors to check ball position, eye and shoulder alignment and iron out problems with their putting stroke.
    • Eyeball Golf – Remember that old saying – Keep your head still? Well, the eyeball trainer can help you do that! It’s simple, easy to use and won’t break the bank. Give it a try! (.99 direct)

    EyeLine Golf Putting Mirror
    EyeLine Golf Putting Mirror

    Software

    • Golf Logix – The USGA has recently weighed in on the topic of green reading charts and maps by limiting the size and scale of the books people use, but the leading app company GolfLogix is ok with that, and the typical user of their service isn’t a tournament golfer anyway. The innovative PuttBreaks feature in the Golf Logix app is easy to use and can really help you read the greens on unfamiliar courses, or even help confirm what your eyes see. (Available for free in the iTunes and Google Play store – $29.99 for 12 month Putt Breaks membership)

    GolfLogix with Putt Breaks
    GolfLogix with Putt Breaks

    Shafts

    • Breakthrough Golf technology  – Golf industry veteran and living legend Barney Adams has set his sights on making you a better putter, and Breakthrough Golf Technology’s new Stability Shaft is how he’s doing it. Guess what – It works! My putting has improved ever since I put the shaft in play, and I’m looking forward to converting a few more putters soon. (Available direct w/ free install – $199.99)
    • TPT Golf – I’m a big fan of TPT golf and their innovative new shafts. Earlier this year I tested one in my Ping G400 driver and gained 9 yards. They aren’t cheap, but for demanding golfers with spare cash, TPT is the shaft you must try when you visit your custom club fitter for a new driver.

    Breakthrough Golf technology - Stability Shaft
    Breakthrough Golf technology – Stability Shaft

    Apparel

    • Oakley –  I’m not impressed too much with the apparel options available this year. That’s not to say there isn’t anything good out there, it’s just that nothing stands out. Nothing except Oakley that is. The Engineered Polo Bubba is a shirt I could live with almost every day, and they are super cheap right now. (Available direct – $24.00 as of 12/7/2018) Why not pair it with a slick Bg Emb Visor too? (Direct – $28.00)

    Oakley Engineered Polo Bubba
    Oakley Engineered Polo Bubba

    Misc

    • Craftsman Golf Headcovers – Why not customize the look of your golf bag and protect your clubs from theft by getting rid of the factory headcovers and replacing them with fun head covers from Craftsman Golf? I recently covered my Callaway XR16 LD Long Drive club with a funny cat head cover with a bell that drove my playing partners nuts! It was great fun. Seriously though, Craftsman Golf makes good quality stuff at very reasonable prices! (Available direct – www.craftsmangolf.com)
    • Bushnell Rangefinders – Bushnell continues to make market-leading laser and GPS rangefinders. I’ve been using the awesome Pro X2 Laser Rangefinder for a while, and the perfectly sized Phantom GPS is a perfect compliment to any laser rangefinder and easily fits in your pocket. If you want the best of both worlds, consider the Bushnell Hybrid Rangefinder, that has both a precision laser rangefinder and GPS in one easy to use handheld device.
    • Club Champion Fitting –  Club Champion is the largest custom club fitting company in the US, and they are brand-agnostic, which means they aren’t going to push you towards a certain brand, just what works best with your golf swing. I recently had my Cobra F8+ driver upgraded with a new shaft from Paderson Golf and gained 6 yards and greatly tightened the dispersion. They have 40 indoor fitting centers all over the country, so weather isn’t an issue and there is probably one close to you. If you take the game seriously and want to play your best golf, there’s really no excuse not to get custom fit for every club in your bag.
    • NoSweat Liners – It may be chilly outside now, but at some point, it’s going to warm up again outside and you’ll start sweating on the golf course. Living in Florida, the summer heat and humidity makes it impossible not to sweat profusely when playing golf. NoSweat liners install easily inside your hat and really help soak up the sweat coming from your forehead. Sometimes I sweat so much that it’s hard to putt because sweat keeps dripping on the ball! NoSweat liners fixed this problem for me, and they are used by professional golfers and many other athletes in sports like hockey and football under their helmets. If you are a sweater like me, you’ll want to give them a try! ($9.99 and up on Amazon)
    • SkyCaddie SX500 – SkyCaddie has been around for as long as I can remember using such distance measuring devices, and their products are always recognized as one of the best GPS for golf, and their newest model is no exception. The SkyCaddie SX500 has a large (5″) bright screen, solid battery life and is easy to use. All SX500s come with a 1-year subscription. SkyCaddie maps all their own courses for greater accuracy, and I’ve always found their distances to be very precise when compared to a laser rangefinder. The difference is rarely more than a few yards, and for amateur golfers, this is certainly within the acceptable range. ($399.95 on Amazon)

    Bushnell Hybrid
    Bushnell Hybrid GPS/Rangefinder

  • Breakthrough Golf Technology Instantly Made Me A Better Putter

    Breakthrough Golf Technology (BGT) is a new golf company that makes putter shafts. Founder Barney Adams is a golf industry veteran and pioneer, bringing Adams Golf from nothing to become one of the major players in golf innovations in the 1990s & 2000s. Adams golf turned the industry on its head with the Tight Lies fairway woods and then changed golf forever by popularizing hybrids, making them a staple in amateur & touring pros’ golf bags around the world.

    Mr. Adams left Adams Golf when Taylor Made Golf purchased the company in 2012 (and promptly killed the iconic brand through neglect) He started BGT a few years later in 2014, and we’re now able to see the fruits of his labor with the Stability putter shaft.

    Breakthrough Golf technology - Stability Shaft

    There are four parts to the Stability shaft that work together to improve putting performance. This “Advanced Materials Integration” uses advanced multi-material design combined with geometries never before used in putter shafts. The Stability shaft has the same look and weight as traditional steel putter shafts but feels more solid and stable. The Stability shaft delivers the face of the putter more square at impact for better accuracy. The shaft also produces a lower launch for more predictable roll, resulting in better distance control.

    Real World Testing

    I found my latest gamer putter – a Scotty Cameron Futura 5W – last winter after my last Scotty Cameron met its unfortunate end at the bottom of a lake at the Mines Golf & CC in Malaysia following one too many three-putt greens. Since then, I’ve been a one-putter man. It has been my gamer for over 8 months, which is pretty remarkable given my history of frequently changing putters.

    I sent my Futura 5W off to Texas for BGT to work its magic, and I got the putter back in about 10 days from the day I sent it. My Scotty Cameron was now attached to the Stability shaft, and I started rolling putts in my living room with it the same day. Almost immediately I noticed the solid feel, free of unwanted vibrations. In fact, I never knew how much vibration you get from a putter until I tried this shaft. The difference to me was dramatic. Breakthrough Golf Technology claims that the Stability shaft launches the ball lower. I can’t confirm that claim without some fancy and expensive testing equipment, but I’ll take their word for it because the end result of lower launch is better roll, and this shaft seems to make the ball roll better coming off the face.

    Another claim made by Breakthrough Golf Technology about the Stability shaft is improved accuracy because the putter face will be more square at impact. Again, without some fancy testing equipment like the SAM Putt Lab, I can’t verify those claims with raw data, but I can tell you that in the five rounds (90 holes) of golf I’ve played since getting the Stability shaft installed, I’ve made (Pardon my French) a shit-load of putts! What that translates to in numbers is 26 birdies in 90 holes, or a birdie percentage of about 34%. Obviously, I can’t attribute all those birdies to my putter alone, but it has been a great month for me on the greens.

    Bottom Line

    Confidence with the putter can be very fleeting for me, but maybe the Stability shaft is what I needed to get me over the hump and get my handicap back in the highly desirable plus range. Even when putting poorly I’m usually around the hole, but the added stability and consistency of Breakthrough Golf Technology’s Stability shaft might be the edge I needed to convert two or three more 10-footers per round.

    The list price for the Stability shaft is $199.99 with free installation, and it’s worth every penny. People don’t hesitate to drop $400 or more on a new driver that they can only use 14 times per round, but balk at spending money on a putter. When it comes to improving the performance of the most-used club in everyone’s golf bag, every dollar is well spent. Just don’t tell my playing partners!

  • 5 Ways to End America’s Ryder Cup Futility

    5 Ways to End America’s Ryder Cup Futility

    At the outset the United States was utterly dominant in Ryder Cup play, losing only three times to Great Britain & Ireland in the first 50 years the biennial competition was held. But since GB & I was expanded to include the rest of Europe in 1979, the United States has an unenviable record of 8 wins and 12 defeats, including losses in 7 of the last 9 competitions.

    Obviously, the talent level of golf worldwide has grown significantly over the years, so it’s not unexpected to see the Europeans put up such a fight in recent years. What is unexpected, is for the US team to show up in Paris and lay a big, fat egg without looking all that surprised with the result. It’s almost as if they expected to lose. Were it not for a few spirited individual efforts on Sunday by the US squad, the 2018 edition of the Ryder Cup could have been a rout of historic proportions.

    Task Force Failure

    Following the 2014 loss at Gleneagles and Phil Mickelson’s infamous under-the-bus-throwing of Captain Tom Watson, the US formed some kind of task-force to examine the selection process and figure out a way to regain the edge. Despite a solid win in 2016 at Hazeltine, the United States Ryder Cup team as a whole is still more of a gathering of pampered millionaires than a cohesive team of golfers. I believe the task force is fundamentally flawed, but more on that later.

    Team USA’s flaws were on display to anyone that was paying attention at Le Golf Nationale in Paris, France last month. For starters, I saw 2 or 3 players from the US team that seemed disinterested in even being there. From the way he played all week and his general demeanor, it looked to me like Bubba Watson couldn’t get the hell out of Paris fast enough. World No 1 Dustin Johnson is usually pretty stoic on the course, but he seemed particularly apathetic once his putting stroke failed him, and he managed to win only 1 point all week. Jim Furyk’s three captain’s picks went a combined 0-9. In Captain Furyk’s defense, it was nearly impossible for him NOT to pick Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau for the team. DeChambeau won the first 2 FedEx Cup Playoff events and Tiger Woods finished a remarkable comeback season and easily justified his pick by winning the season-ending Tour Championship.

    Phil Mickelson was playing pretty bad golf, yet he was picked for the team anyway, probably because he’s Phil Mickelson. Captain Furyk said he is great in the team room and has a lot of experience. Sure – losing experience. And the last time I checked, matches aren’t played in the team room. Sarcasm aside, you can’t win a Ryder Cup if your “leaders” and captain’s picks can’t earn a single point all week.

    In the aftermath, we heard stories of players complaining about who they were paired with, players complaining about their position in the Sunday singles matches, and even about players fighting. I’m referring of course to Patrick Reed’s comments about his successful past partnership with Jordan Speith being broken up, and to the reported scuffle between Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, which they both claim never happened. I’m not putting too much stock in these stories, but the overall vibe is one of dysfunction and lack of cohesion. If just one player in the team room has a negative attitude because he’s not happy about who he’s paired with, or has issues with another player, that team cannot be successful.

    If you don’t learn from your failures, you are doomed to repeat them. Having said that, I don’t think it is beyond saving. The USA still has dozens and dozens of players that are more than capable of winning on the Ryder Cup stage, and the future looks bright for a whole new generation of young golfers. Here are 5 ideas that I think could help recreate the winning formula for the United States going forward:

    Get players that want to be there – The PGA Tour season is long and it can be a grind. All jokes about 5-star hotels and private jets aside, it’s not easy to make a living playing golf. Most players on the PGA Tour don’t fly in private jets and drive Lamborghinis. But most US players aren’t used to playing in a team environment, and the demands of professional golf in the United States encourages more of a me-against-the-world mentality. Perhaps losing is partially responsible for the perceived decline in interest for the Ryder Cup in America lately. Either way, if a player doesn’t really want to be there and can’t commit 100 percent of their mental energy to represent their country for a week, they shouldn’t be on the team. This is why I think we need to change the process by which we pick the team.

    Change the team selection process – The Ryder Cup selection process has been tweaked a bit over the years and the captain has another wildcard pick at his disposal, but I believe the captain should have more control over the makeup of the team. Why not let the captain pick half the players or more? The team should be made up of players that are playing well now and can be expected to play well at the host venue. The current points ranking system doesn’t work. Why should your team’s roster be determined by someone who played great 6 months ago and earned enough points to hold on and make the team now? That’s stupid.

    The good ‘ol boy network needs to be scrapped and the USA should get a captain that is committed to winning, not just making everyone happy and letting them play with their buddies. Yes, that’s a dig at Jim Furyk who broke up several proven winning pairings like Reed/Speith so that Jordan could play with his childhood buddy Justin Thomas, and who’s pick of a flailing Phil Mickelson was not conducive to winning, given that Phil only played two matches anyway and didn’t earn a single point. Why pick a player to have him ride the bench all week?

    We’ve seen several non-golf superstars hanging around the US Ryder Cup squad in recent years, like Michael Jordan, Condoleezza Rice, and John McEnroe. That got me thinking – Why does the captain have to be a golfer? Why not pick a knowledgeable sports figure or proven national leader to manage the team? Someone that will make decisions with the best interests of the team in mind, not egos. I think we should go with a respected leader that these players are willing to follow, and it doesn’t have to be a professional golfer. Think outside the box!

    Pick a venue that gives us the advantage – There was a lot of talk about Le Golf Nationale in Paris as the venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup. It was set up almost like a US Open, with narrow fairways and thick rough. It’s no secret that the European squad did this to penalize the long-hitting US players. Our “bombers” are also some of the least accurate drivers of the golf ball on tour, and the Europeans took advantage of this to set up the course in their favor. This goes back to my first point – Instead of having most of the US Team automatically qualified on points, our captain needs to have the flexibility to pick players whose game is better suited for the venue. I think the results could have been very different if Captain Furyk had consistent ball strikers like Matt Kuchar, Kevin Kisner, Zach Johnson or Xander Schauffele on the team instead of Phil, Tiger, and Bubba. And on that note…

    Retire the old guard – I’m not the only one who has suggested it and many people don’t dare speak of it, but I’ll say it anyway – It’s time to put Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods out to pasture in Ryder Cup competition. In 12 Ryder Cup appearances, Phil Mickelson has only won more than 2.5 points twice. In 47 matches played, he has only 18 wins. Tiger’s overall record isn’t much better at 13-21-3. While these guys are two of the best golfers in history and founding members of the so-called Ryder Cup Taskforce, they are also part of the problem and proven liabilities in this team format and need to be retired as Ryder Cuppers. Bring them on for a few more President’s Cups (We can still win that easily even with both of them in the lineup), or as vice-captains if you want their leadership and presence in the team room.

    Scheduling & preparation – Only one player from the United States Ryder Cup Team had ever played Le Golf Nationale in tournament conditions – Justin Thomas. Is it a coincidence that he went 4-1 on the week and was the best player on the team? I don’t think so. The US team had two years to prepare and play the golf course, and they only had one guy with prior tournament experience there? That’s not only bad preparation, but it fed right into the European team’s strategy and setup. Because of the flawed team selection process, Jim Furyk’s hands were tied. He couldn’t field a team that would be able to drive it in the fairway and neutralize the European advantage. Instead, the United States brought a bunch of guys who can’t hit fairways to a course that puts a premium on hitting fairways. Not the best game plan.

    To make matters worse, several US players looked quite weary after playing 4 out of 5 weeks chasing the FedEx Cup. Tiger Woods, in particular, looked mentally and physically drained after his breakthrough win at the Tour Championship just days earlier. Bryson DeChambeau appears to have peaked a bit early, winning the first two events of the FedEx Cup playoffs, but perhaps the season-long grind also got to him in Paris because he looked out of sorts all week. For some reason, the European players didn’t seem as affected by the season-ending playoff grind. I’ll chalk it up to the home course fans lifting their boys emotionally.

    In terms of quality of play, I think it would be best for the Ryder Cup as a whole if the event was held at a time of the year where you can give the players at least a week off before the matches. It obviously would have helped the USA this year. The event only takes place every two years – would it be that difficult to give them a week off to rest up and get ready?

    Will it Work?

    Even if the United States implemented all these changes there’s no guarantee of success, but I think the odds would be much better. The US needs to field a team of players that are fresh, genuinely want to be there, want to play together and whose skills are well suited for the course. Team Europe has taken advantage of our flawed process to tilt the playing field in their favor. They relish the fact that their guys play better in pairs than us, and they consistently field a group of players that accept their role and form a cohesive unit towards a single purpose. It’s time for the USA to revamp their preparation, roster, and attitude towards the competition if they want to remain competitive in the Ryder Cup for years to come.

  • A Golf Dress by Kinona

    A Golf Dress by Kinona

    KIONA Dress to Win Golf DressA Golf Dress? Wow. WOW. The Dress to Win Golf Dress from Kinona Sport hits all the markers for a wardrobe from the fairways to the sidewalk cafes.

    I do a lot of online shopping, and when I received the Dress to Win Golf Dress in the mail I was struck by how tiny the mailing package was, which meant that this dress would pack great into the carry-on I needed to take with me that upcoming weekend. A quick wash and hang dry presented me with a bright blue flowing golf dress. I loved the color blocking and darts for a fit and flare silhouette.

    A quick cool iron over the hem and I was ready… For Golf? Yeah, but I could pair it with heeled sandals and I’ve got dinner covered as well.

    Within the package were some incredible breezy Kinona [panties]. They felt like nothing and in the Florida 95+ temperatures that was appreciated. My dress slipped on and I discovered roomy pockets WITH TEE SLOTS!! Genius! Onto my local course for my tee time.

    During play I noticed how the golf dress moved with me, the material stretching and returning to shape and I didn’t feel the dress raise up during my backswing. The UV protection helped to keep my skin cool underneath, even though I was hitting out of the bunkers several times.

    I believe the only thing I would change about the Dress to Win Golf Dress is that the dress was too long for me. I am a small person, reaching barely 5’ 2” and the dress came down to my knees and this was not a flattering look for me. The dress was a size Small, but perhaps adding a size of Small Petite would take care of those height-challenge women such as myself.

    Overall I am very intrigued about the Kinona styles and the thoughtfulness of weaving into the fabric the UV protection.

    Go to https://kinonasport.com for more information and to buy online.