USGA Announces 2019 U.S. Open Trophy Tour Presented by Lexus

The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced the launch of the 2019 U.S. Open Trophy Tour presented by Lexus today, which was introduced at a San Francisco area media event on April 8.  That stop was the first of more than two dozen on the tour before the trophy arrives at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links for the 119th U.S. Open Championship on June 13th to 16th. 

 

Making its way across the Bay Area in a 2019 Lexus LX, the Trophy Tour provides fans with photo opportunities as well as a chance to take home personalized giveaways.  Fans will also have the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience of two hospitality-suite tickets to Saturday and Sunday of this year's championship at Pebble Beach in the "Ultimate U.S. Open Sweepstakes." 

PUMA Golf Signs Four-Time Major Champion Ernie Els as Global Brand Ambassador: Els Will Wear PUMA Footwear on Tour

PUMA Golf announced today that it has signed Ernie Els to a multi-year agreement as a global brand ambassador.  As part of the partnership, Els will wear the brands footwear during his professional events. 

 

Els brings his Major championship credentials to a star-studded PUMA stable that includes fellow Tour professionals Rickie Fowler, Bryson DeChambeau, Gary Woodland, and Lexi Thompson. 

The National Golf Foundation NGF 2019 State of the Golf Industry Report: Findings Show Overall Growth Across Diverse Categories

The National Golf Foundation (NGF) has released its 2019 Golf Industry Report (GIR), which presents a comprehensive state of the industry detailing golfer participation, course supply data, rounds played, and golf's overall reach.  And the findings are definitely interesting. 

 

The Golf Industry Report (GIR) compiles many of the game's key data points in a single publication and is intended to provide the most holistic view of the business of golf and the health of the game within the U.S. to stakeholders and the media. 

Duca Del Cosma Takes Big Steps Forward in Global Golf Market with Introduction of Stunning 2019 Collection

Duca del Cosma has unveiled a stunning new global collection of premium shoes for the 2019 season with a host of different styles, textures, prints, and color combinations. 

 

You might not  know this, but Duca del Cosma is the originator of the spikeless golf shoe back in 2004.  This Italian luxury shoe brand is aimed at style-conscious golfers in more than 30 countries worldwide, and their shoes are crafted exclusively in Europe from the finest quality leathers. 

Golf Pride Roars to Victory and Wins Grip Count at The Masters

Golf Pride was the leading swing and putter grip brand in play at 2019 Masters, with 68 players in the field trusting Golf Pride grips. 

 

Nine players who finished in the Top 10, including Tiger Woods, chose Golf Pride as their grips of choice at Augusta National.  Woods trusted Golf Pride's Tour Velvet Cord grips while capturing his 5th career Masters title. 

Erin Hills to Host 2025 U.S. Women’s Open and 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur

The USGA announced today that Erin Hills has been selected as the host site for the 2025 U.S. Women's Open and 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships.  The U.S. Women's Open is the ultimate test in women's golf, and the 2025 version will be contested May 29th to June 1st.  While the 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur will be played September 10th to 15th, with Blue Mound Golf and Country Club serving as the stroke-play co-host course. 

 

Located 35 miles northwest of Milwaukee in the Kettle Moraine region, Erin Hills was designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, and Ron Whitten.  The public facility (which features bentgrass greens and fine fescue fairways) opened for play in 2006.  And the same team oversaw a major renovation to the layout in 2010. 

The 2019 RBC Heritage: Inside the Course (Harbour Town Golf Links Review)

Every year we know what to expect. 132 players make a post-Masters trek to Hilton Head.  They compete for a chance to slip on some tartan swag.  And the iconic 90-foot red and white striped lighthouse behind the 18th green guides the eventual champion to victory with the sun setting over the Calibogue Sound. 

 

Sure it's not the green jacket and it's definitely not Augusta, but the RBC Heritage has a rich history of producing quality champions, including Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, and inaugural champion Arnold Palmer. 

5 Things To Know About The 2019 RBC Heritage

The excitement from Tiger Woods historic Masters at Augusta on Sunday carries over to Hilton Head island this week for the RBC Heritage.  A top-tier field of 88 winners on the PGA Tour will take on the historic Harbor Town Golf Links. 

 

Many of the world’s top-ranked players aren’t making the trip to South Carolina this week, instead electing to decompress from what was a Masters for the ages.  Still, the invitation only, 132-player field will include some stand out names on the PGA Tour and a host of major champions. 

Tiger Woods 2019 Masters Victory Extends Bridgestone Golf Tour Hot Streak

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Bridgestone Golf ambassador Tiger Woods put an exclamation point on one of the greatest comebacks in sports history, winning his 15th career major championship at the 2019 Masters tournament. 

 

Woods used the Bridgestone TOUR B XS golf ball as he returned to the winner's circle at Augusta National for the first time in 14 years.  And Tiger's triumph is the 5th win of the season for Bridgestone's award-winning TOUR B golf ball family. 

Tiger Woods WITB What's In The Bag - The Golf Equipment Woods Used To Win The 2019 Masters

Tiger Woods won his fifth green jacket Sunday storming the leaderboard on the second-nine at Augusta National in what will go down in sports history as one of the greatest comeback stories of all-time.  The 43-year old Woods finished 13-under par for the tournament, good for a one-shot victory over Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, and Xander Schauffele. 

 

Woods 15th major championship put him just three away from Jack Nickaus' record, and gives Tiger 81 career PGA Tour victories.  Woods' 14 years between wins at Augusta is the longest gap between wins in tournament history, and Sunday marked the first time since 2005 that the Masters champion rallied from outside the top-10 in the opening round. 

Loopers: The Caddie's Long Walk Will Be Released in U.S. Studios This Summer

Narrated by comedy legend (and former caddie) Bill Murray, Loopers: The Caddie's Long Walk a is a fun and light-hearted film that uses humor and charm to finally give caddies their day in the sun.  And the film is now officially scheduled to release in U.S. studios this summer on June 7th. 

 

Centuries old and enjoyed by tens of millions of people worldwide, golf is seen by many as more than a sport.  Yet what do we really know about the men and women who carry the bags for the players?  In a narrative never before covered in any feature length documentary, Loopers explores the incredible personal bond that a golfer and a caddie develop through hours of time together. 

2019 Masters Giveaway: Titleist Masters Green Tour Rope Hats and Pro V1 & Pro V1x Golf Balls

They're as legendary as The Masters itself.  And Titleist has brought back the classic rope hats in Masters green colors that you're going to want if you're a fan of the first major of the season. 

 

But that's not all the winner will get in this giveaway.  Actually, I should say winners, there will be TWO winners in this giveaway again.  And you'll both be getting your choice of rope hats and your choice of Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf balls.  Yes, this Masters giveaway is real, and it's spectacular. 

2019 Masters Giveaway: Limited Edition Cobra PUMA Union Camo Tour Exclusive P Cap - Exactly Like Rickie Fowler Will Wear at The Masters

Who's ready for another Masters giveaway?  This one's straight fire.  I'm giving away TWO limited edition Cobra PUMA Union Camo Tour Exclusive P Caps, which are exactly like the one Rickie Fowler will wear this week at Augusta National. 

 

This giveaway will run on twitter, Instagram, and here on my blog, which means you will have three unique chances to win. 

2019 Masters Giveaway: Callaway La Jolla SL Golf Shoes - 4 Winners

We're one day away from The Masters, and this year I have some incredible prizes to give away to all of you!  I'll have at least three different giveaways across my social media platforms, and the first will be four pairs of Masters theme Callaway La Jolla SL golf shoes in an Instagram only giveaway. 

 

The La Jolla SL are incredible shoes and you can read my review on them here.  And four lucky winners will get their very own pair each day of The Masters this year. 

Aerotech SteelFiber Shafts Deliver Major Win at the ANA Inspiration

Aerotech SteelFiber graphite iron shafts chalked up another victory last week at the ANA Inspiration, as Jin Young Ko won her first major playing the new SteelFiber H-Tour 90 graphite irons shafts. 

 

Two weeks after winning the Founders Cup, the 20-year-old South Korean champion shot a 10-under-par 278 to win the LPGA's first major of the season by three strokes.  Ko is now in the hunt for Player of the Year honors, as she leads the money list and has notched five top-three finishes in just six events this year. 

USGA and R&A Issue New Local Rule Allowing Replacement of Broken or Significantly Damaged Clubs

The USGA and R&A have provided a clarification that introduces a new Local Rule, allowing players to replace a broken or significantly damaged club, except in cases of abuse. 

 

The Local Rule reverses a change that was implemented under the new Rules of Golf.  Prior to 2019, a club damaged during the normal course of play could be replaced during a round.  However, that allowance was prohibited when the new Rules went into effect on January 1st.  Players were still free to use the damaged club, but couldn't replace it. 

Callaway La Jolla SL Golf Shoes Review - Performance Driven Comfort that Lasts All Round

You already know this, but all golf shoes are not created equal.  I'm of the opinion that you're rarely going to find a golf shoe that's catastrophically bad unless it's defective.   But it's even more rare to find golf shoes that actually give you reason to pause about how great they are.  The Callaway La Jolla SL shoes fall into that latter category. 

 

Tour pros like Marc Leishman, Adam Hadwin, and Emiliano Grillo all wear Callaway shoes.  Hadwin (Mr. 59) wears the La Jolla.  These guys aren't going to slip on golf shoes that aren't 100-percent comfortable and performance driven.  And La Jolla gives you comfort and performance in spades. 

Galvin Green SHAKEDRY Limited Edition Jacket Preview - Groundbreaking Technology to Handle Any Weather

Galvin Green is introducing a limited edition streamlined GORE-TEX Shakedry rain jacket ahead of The Masters and two months before its official launch. 

 

The first super-lightweight waterproof garment of its kind, the limited edition Shakedry jacket features a green full-length zipper and will be available at selected stockists and online retailers around the world in S to XL sizes. 

Ben Hogan PTx PRO Forged Irons Preview - Classic Style Combines With Contemporary Engineering

The new Ben Hogan PTx PRO irons are an enhanced version of the company's best selling PTx iron model (which were introduced in 2016), and developed for discerning, serious golfers who demand performance. 

 

After consultation and testing with Tour players and many other accomplished golfers, Ben Hogan's engineering and product design team successfully developed a forged iron that is pure and traditional-looking on the outside, yet packed with technology on the inside. 

USGA Names Joe Montana as Honorary Ambassador of 119th U.S. Open Championship

The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced that Pro Football Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl champion Joe Montana as the 2019 U.S. Open Championship’s Honorary Ambassador.  The 119th U.S. Open Championship will be played June 13th to 16th at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California. 

 

"Joe Cool" Montana is one of the most iconic figures in sports, and a Bay Area legend, having spent 14 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, winning four Super Bowls, and earning Most Valuable Player honors in three of those victories. Widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game, two-time NFL MVP Montana is the franchise's all-time leader in both passing yards and touchdown passes.