Bridgestone Unveils New 2020 Tiger Woods Edition Golf Balls

On the heels of the most-talked about golf ball launch at the 2020 PGA Merchandise Show, Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, has unveiled its highly anticipated new version of the popular TOUR B XS - Tiger Woods edition balls.  

 

The new TOUR B XS-TW balls, a strong collaboration between Tiger and Bridgestone, deliver a game-changing combination of driver distance and greenside control unlike anything ever before, thanks to Bridgestone's new REACTIV Urethane cover.  From a performance perspective, the TOUR B XS-TW edition balls are identical to the standard TOUR B XS model that Woods currently is using in all professional competitions. 

PGAPappas Golf Stimulus Package: Bridgestone Golf New Tour B Balls for Everyone

These are trying times we're all facing now.  We're staying at home more than usual, taking precautions to ensure we all remain healthy, and really hoping for the best while everything plays out. 

 

Eventually we'll get back to our regular routines, and that means getting on the course again frequently.  So to help you guys get through this all, and hit the ground running when it's passed, I'm introducing the PGAPappas Golf Stimulus Package. 

Sea Pines Resort Director of Golf John Farrell to be Inducted in Lowcountry Golf Hall of Fame

John Farrell, Director of Golf at The Sea Pines Resort, has been named to the Lowcountry Golf Hall of Fame and will be inducted in an awards ceremony at Berkeley Hall on May 8. 

 

Over a 30-year-long career, Farrell has been honored many times, including five-time PGA Golf Professional of the Year of the Hilton Head Chapter of the Carolina's PGA Section; two-time Carolina PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year; and Presidents Plaque Award winner. T oday, as Director of Golf and host golf professional of the PGA Tour's RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, he oversees Atlantic Dunes, Heron Point, and Harbour Town Golf Links, plus on-course food and beverage, as well as tennis, at The Sea Pines Resort. 

Daphne’s Headcovers Celebrates its 40th Year in Golf

Daphne's Headcovers, the original animal headcover company, announced that it is celebrating its 40th year creating and supplying the top quality Headcovers to the world. 

 

In the 40th year since the first headcover was sold, Daphne's Headcovers are now available in more than 80 countries internationally.  Their products are carried in the bags of hundreds of TOUR professionals including Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, John Daly, Jessica Korda, Nellie Korda, Lydia Ko, Brittany Lincicome, and more. 

Club Champion Expands to More Than 45,000 Hittable Combinations

To better serve its customers, the nation’s #1 club fitter is now offering clubs from Ben Hogan Golf Equipment and Sacks Parente along with expanded offerings fromVega, Miura and PXG.  These new additions, along with new releases and existing offerings, brings the total number of hittable head and shaft combinations to more than 45,000. 

 

Already the #1 fitter in the country for top golf brands, Club Champion has now upped the ante to include hundreds of additional combinations. "It was a no-brainer to us to bring in brands like Ben Hogan and to work closely with others like PXG," said Nick Sherburne, Club Champion founder. "We pride ourselves on finding the perfect match for each golfer, and these new and revamped partnerships allow us to stand by that promise." 

Win a Round of Golf with Charles Howell III in Reynolds Lake Oconee Sweepstakes

Think your game compares with the pros?  Someone will find out by winning the "3 for 4" sweepstakes offered by Reynolds Lake Oconee with a prize package that includes 3 unique activities for 4 guests over 3 nights and 4 days.  

 

The experiences include playing a round of golf with long-time PGA Tour professional and three-time champion, Charles Howell III; fishing on Lake Oconee with avid sportsman and PGA Tour professional Blake Adams; and a sporting clays experience with professional shooting expert, Justin Jones. 

PUMA Golf and Rickie Fowler Team Up with Arnie's Army to Pay Homage to The King at The Arnold Palmer Invitational

To honor one of golf's greats, COBRA PUMA Golf athlete Rickie Fowler will once again don a limited-edition collection of gear at the upcoming Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. 

 

Throughout the week, Fowler will wear accessories and use gear that was inspired by the life of his friend and mentor, Arnold Palmer, including a new API COBRA x Vessel Stand Bag, special headwear, and a pair of IGNITE PROADAPT PALMER shoes. 

From Many, One: USGA Unveils New U.S. Open Brand Platform

As part of the United States Golf Association's ongoing commitment to invest in the U.S. Open and elevate the championship experience for players and fans, the Association today proudly unveiled its new U.S. Open brand platform, “From Many, One.” 

 

USGA Chief Brand Officer Craig Annis said, 

"Our goal was to develop a distinct and powerful brand platform that allows us to celebrate what makes our championship unique and to tell the stories that drive our audiences to attend, watch and engage with the U.S. Open year-round.  Given that the U.S. Open drives nearly 75 percent of the USGA's revenue, the success of the championship directly impacts the work we do to support millions of golfers who enjoy the game."

The 74th Western Intercollegiate at Pasatiempo to be Televised on Golf Channel

The 74th annual Western Intercollegiate at Pasatiempo will be televised on Golf Channel on April 13th to April 15th. 

 

To learn more about the players and teams competing, check out the Western Intercollegiate website here. 

Ben Hogan Golf Unveils 2020 Golf Bag Line

Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company has added two options to its 2020 line-up of golf bags; a midsize staff bag and a Sunday bag, joining the existing and highly acclaimed BH-1 stand bag.  The expanded product line will provide multiple size and style bag options for all types of golfers, including those who walk, ride or pull their bag on the golf course. 

 

Highlighted by the famed signature of the Company's founder, Ben Hogan, the man renowned for the greatest swing in golf, the new golf bag line is the first of a number of new product introduction planned by the Company in 2020. 

Finn Gets an App

Finn, the new electric golf cycle that's adding fun and speeding up pace of play, now has its own app for scan & ride ease. S imply download the app to your smartphone, scan the QR code on the Finn Cycle, and away you go. 

 

Developed by Rick Reimers, founder and owner of the long-pioneering golf equipment company Sun Mountain Sports, Finn Cycle is a two-wheeled, single-rider cycle with an electric motor and lithium battery that offers a comfortable and stable ride that leaves all who ride it smiling. 

Golf Rounds Played Increase Slightly in 2019 Despite Second-Wettest Year on Record

The golf gods can be a fickle bunch but they have nothing on Mother Nature, producer of the one element general managers or course superintendents can’t control. 

 

The good news?  Rounds played in the U.S. were up 1.5-percent last year over 2018, with an estimated 440 million overall rounds played on the books.  The New England, Middle Atlantic and East North Central regions, which extend from Massachusetts to Michigan and accounts for almost half of national golf facilities and rounds, fared slightly better weather-wise in 2019.  It's a good indicator that the location of precipitation often matters more than the amount. 

Club Champion Hits Business Milestone

Tour-level fittings are an experience like no other, just ask the tens of thousands of custom-fit Club Champion customers who dialed their game in with the fitter last year.  

 

Over 100,000 appointments were recorded from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. 

Topgolf Augusta to Debut During Masters Week with One Floor, 36 Bays, Mini Golf and Backyard Games

Topgolf is unveiling a new venue concept in Augusta, Georgia, during this year's Masters Tournament, a single-floor location with an open-space backyard area. 

 

In addition to hitting golf balls on the 36-bay range, guests have the option to listen to live music, play mini golf and cornhole, socialize around fire pits, and eat together at communal picnic tables. 

Sun Mountain Adds 14-Way Top to its Lightest Golf Bag

Golf bags with individual club dividers are more popular every year.  To answer this demand, Sun Mountain is introducing the 2.5+ 14-way bag. 

 

This bag has a spacious 10.5 inch top with fourteen individual dividers and weighs just under four pounds.  The 2020 2.5+ 14-way is available in six different colors with a full-retail price of $239.99. 

SIK Putters Continues Strong Performance on PGA Tour with Top-5 Finish at Genesis Invitational

SIK Golf captured a T-5th Place Finish on the PGA Tour last past weekend at The Genesis Invitational held at the Riviera Country Club in Palisades, CA. 

 

Bryson DeChambeau, commonly referred to as "The Professor" and "The Mad Scientist", is probably best known for his unorthodox set of irons that are all the same length, but what many people don't know is that he's captured all five of his PGA TOUR victories, and in excess of $14 Million Dollars in earnings, using a SIK putter. 

Launch of New Exotics EXS 220 Clubs Pushes Tour Edge to over 100 Different PGA Tour Players and over 700 Clubs in Tournament Play Since 2018

Tour Edge surpassed 700 clubs in play and 100 different players who have played Tour Edge clubs over the past two years on the PGA Tours last week at the Chubb Classic on the PGA Tour Champions in Naples, Fla. 

 

The company launched their new Exotics EXS 220 clubs to the PGA Tour Champions the first time and the positive feedback from the players was instant. 

USGA Announces Local Qualifying Sites for 120th U.S. Open Championship

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced local qualifying sites for the 120th U.S. Open Championship.  The U.S. Open will be contested at Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course), in Mamaroneck, N.Y., for the sixth time from June 18-21, 2020. 

 

Local qualifying, conducted over 18 holes at 109 sites in 45 states and Canada, will take place between April 27-May 12. 

Clubbing with Vosh - Epsiode 1: Mizuno M-Craft Putters

Mizuno is releasing their new line of M-Craft putters tomorrow, marking the first time they've introduced a putter to the U.S. market in over a decade. 

 

Three different models forged from premium 1025 mild carbon steel are available in three stunning finishes.  And I sat down with Mizuno Product Manager Chris Voshall at the PGA Show last month to talk about the M-Craft and Mizuno's entire 2020 line-up. 

Adidas Golf Changes the Game with New CODECHAOS Golf Shoes

Adidas is continuing to redefine the golf dress code, this time starting from the ground up.  Pushing the boundaries in golf footwear once again, Adidas has introduced a new line of golf shoes, CODECHAOS, meant to challenge the definition of what a golf shoe can be. 

 

Built with the modern golfer in mind, the new footwear, offered in both men’s and women's styles, is the latest product from Adidas Golf that breaks down traditional stereotypes and the idea that there's only one look for the sport.