Virginia’s Kinloch Golf Club to Host 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship

The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced Kinloch Golf Club, in Manakin-Sabot, Va., as the host site for the 43rd U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. The dates of the championship are Sept. 21-26, 2024. Independence Golf Club, a nearby public facility in Midlothian, Va., will serve as the stroke-play co-host course.

Kinloch Golf Club, which hosted the 2011 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, was originally slated to host the 2020 U.S. Mid-Amateur, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Callaway Footwear Adds Malibu to Women's 2021 Collection

Callaway Footwear has added the spikeless Malibu to the Women’s Footwear Collection. The Malibu is designed for versatility, style, and all-day comfort.

The Malibu combines lightweight microfiber leather and performance mesh upper with opt-dri™ protection. The athletic silhouette has a welded toe cap water-guard for added protection during the early morning rounds.

Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Debuts 2021 Precision Forged Putter Line

Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company has introduced an enhanced 2021 line of  Precision Milled Forged Putters, based on strong consumer demand.

The four (4) original models including three (3) blade-style offerings and one (1) mallet will be joined by a second mallet design called the BHM02.  The BHM02 is a highly contemporary, multi-material design comprised of a forged-milled aluminum face attached to a forged-milled 304SS body.  The multi-material construction allowed our designers the ability to move more mass backwards and to the perimeter which resulted in the most forgiving putter in the Ben Hogan lineup.  The BHM02 putter boasts a sleek double-bend shaft and is face balanced for those players who prefer a straight back / straight through putting stroke.

USGA Adds to World-Leading Collection with Pete and Alice Dye Artifact Donation

The United States Golf Association (USGA), at the invitation of Crooked Stick Golf Club members Joe and Marcia Luigs, along with Tony Pancake, the club’s director of golf, has acquired a selection of artifacts and ephemera from the estate of Pete and Alice Dye.

The collection, which is to be preserved at the USGA Golf Museum and Library, includes more than 50 items from the Dyes’ life and career together and was obtained from their home on the grounds of Crooked Stick in Carmel, Ind., which served as their summer residence for many years. Pete and Alice Dye designed Crooked Stick, which was founded in 1964 and has gone on to host six USGA championships, most recently the 2009 U.S. Senior Open.

Cobra Golf Announces New KING Cobra Wedges with Snakebite Groove Technology

COBRA® Golf, a leader in golf club innovation, has announced its new KING COBRA Wedge with Snakebite Groove Technology.  The wedge features a nostalgic throwback KING COBRA logo, reminiscent of the rich history and evolution of the brand. The new Snakebite groove design is engineered to maximize spin and fittingly produce more ‘bite’ around the greens.

The Snakebite Groove Technology utilizes a re-engineered cutting method that replaces cutting tools more often to tighten groove tolerances, maximize groove volume, and create the sharpest and most accurate grooves possible.

Troon Country Club to Host 2023 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and 2025 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships

The United States Golf Association has announced that Troon Country Club, in Scottsdale, Ariz., will host a pair of future USGA championships. The club will be the site of the 61st U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship and the 44th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship.

The U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, with a starting field of 132 players, is scheduled to be played on Sept. 30-Oct. 5, 2023. The dates of the U.S. Mid-Amateur are Sept. 13-18, 2025. Troon North Golf Club, located 4 miles from Troon Country Club, will serve as the stroke-play co-host course for the 264-player U.S. Mid-Amateur field.

AHEAD and Nicklaus Companies Extend Partnership

AHEAD announced today it has extended its partnership with the Nicklaus Companies and golf legend Jack Nicklaus and will continue to exclusively produce their branded headwear collection worldwide, including the iconic Jack Nicklaus signature and Golden Bear trademarks.

“The Nicklaus Companies is thrilled to continue our successful partnership with AHEAD into our third decade together,” said Andy O’Brien, President of Nicklaus Brands.  “Jack is proud of his relationship with AHEAD and the collaboration’s impact on charities.  The creativity and collaboration we enjoy in working with our friends on the AHEAD team has created a difference in the market.”

True Linkswear Launches Original 1.2 Bulletproof Golf Shoes

Continuing to craft and develop more naturally comfortable, extremely durable and environmentally friendly footwear, TRUE linkswear announces the launch of the new Original 1.2 golf shoe. Staying TRUE to the heritage and style of the Original model, the OG1.2 offers the same fit, feel, and minimalist functionality – with all new sustainable materials engineered to enhance durability while adding fresh aesthetic detailing.

TRUE began by adding all new upper materials to their durable rubber tread outsole and proprietary 2-year waterproof construction. The all new “Bulletproof” Alternative Leather was engineered for peak durability (highly scratch resistant) and waterproofing. The sock fit collar and tongue are composed of high-grade neoprene, which is not only soft to the touch, but also ideal for temperature regulation and water resistance. Add in new reflective rope laces, high breathability cushioned insole, and design updates and you have all new, remastered TRUE Original 1.2.

Golf Datatech and Yano Research Institute Release 2021 World Golf Report

Golf Datatech, LLC, and Yano Research Institute Ltd., the golf industry’s two leading independent research and data firms, have introduced the World Golf Report 2021, the industry’s only global golf retail study. The 2021 report, which marks the 5th overall edition, provides an in-depth global retail market summary based upon geography, size and economic significance of the nearly $14 Billion golf equipment and apparel market.

In 2013 Golf Datatech and Yano Research collaborated to introduce the golf industry’s first-ever worldwide market report, a benchmark study designed to capture the true size and scope of the global golf retail market. Now in 2021, and on the heels of golf’s shutdown in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the two companies have updated and expanded the report, featuring a broader scope of data points while capturing more complete golf retail sales from around the globe.

Shot Scope Announces Global B2B Website with V3 GPS Watch and Pro L1 Rangefinder Popularity Growth

Shot Scope (www.shotscope.com), a leading international manufacturer of GPS-based game management systems and laser rangefinders, has unveiled a new global B2B website that was developed to provide turn-key service for drop-shipping and green grass customers, as worldwide popularity for the Company’s V3 Smart Golf Watch, PRO L1 Laser Rangefinder, and suite of game management, performance tracking and distance measuring technologies surge.

The launch of the new website comes on the heels of Shot Scope being named a “Preferred Retail Partner” of Troon, the world’s largest golf management company that manages golf experiences for thousands of players at 585-plus locations around the globe.

Pronghorn Resort Announces 2021 Stay and Play Packages

In preparation for what experts predict to be a busy travel season, Pronghorn Resort, a leading luxury hotel and residential community in Bend, Ore., has announced its 2021 Stay & Play golf packages.

Packages include luxury accommodations at Pronghorn Resort’s Huntington Lodge, the beautiful 104 guest room and suite hotel which opened on the property in 2019. Surrounded by views of the Cascade Mountains, Pronghorn’s Jack Nicklaus Signature Course and Tom Fazio Championship Course are bucket-list destinations for golfers of all levels.

USGA Distributes $1.8 Million in Golf Course Sustainability Research Grants for 2021

The United States Golf Association (USGA) will invest $1.8 million into more than 70 separate research grants in 2021 through the Green Section’s Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program (TERP).

The annual investment in the program is part of the USGA’s continuous efforts to use science and innovation to support the long-term health and sustainability of golf and saves the industry an estimated $1.8 billion in operating costs annually.

Baltusrol Golf Club Lower Course Set for Reopening

After a year-long restoration led by renowned golf course architect Gil Hanse, the Lower Course at Baltusrol Golf Club will reopen to members in May of 2021.

The Lower Course has already hosted 10 major championships—4 U.S. Opens, 3 U.S. Amateurs, 2 PGA Championships, and 1 U.S. Women’s Open—and after this restoration is ready to welcome its first KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2023 and its third PGA Championship in 2029.

The Sea Pines Resort Offers Rooms with Front Row Views for April's RBC Heritage

Golf fans looking  to join the limited number of spectators attending the 53rd annual RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing will want to act quickly as The Sea Pines Resort announced it has a few highly desired accommodations available, including a limited number of rooms at The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, plus select homes and villas with views of the famed Harbour Town Golf Links.

Inn guests with reservations during Heritage week will have the opportunity to purchase two tickets per guest room for each of the tournament’s four rounds, Thursday to Sunday. Included with the package is a $50 resort credit per night of stay.  Offer is valid for stays at the Inn from April 15-April 19, 2021 and require a nonrefundable, full prepayment at the time of booking.

Duca del Cosma Launches New SS21 Golf Shoe Collection

Golf footwear brand Duca del Cosma‘s SS21 Collection features 22 new styles for men and women in a host of bold colors and incorporates a range of new performance-enhancing and eco-friendly features.

“The SS21 collection is the most technologically advanced and eco-friendly range that we have ever introduced,” said Leslie Hepsworth, Managing Director, UK & Ireland. “We expect the comfortable new models to be popular with golfers able to appreciate top-quality golf shoes that are distinctively different to anything else on the market.”

Cobra Launches New T-Rail Irons Utilizing All-New Baffler Hollow Split Rails

Cobra Golf, a leader in golf club innovation, today unveiled the next generation of COBRA T-RAIL (Transition Rail) irons, a full hollow set that utilizes a unique hybrid-iron shape and advanced Baffler Rail technologies to create the optimal blend of distance and extreme forgiveness to take the super game-improvement category to the next level.

The COBRA T-RAIL combines the forgiveness of a COBRA Baffler® hybrid with the precision of an iron in a one-of-a-kind set that is designed for anyone looking for a better game. The T-RAIL hybrid-irons combine the best attributes of a hybrid and an iron into one incredibly easy-to-hit club.  A hollow, wide sole shape with an iron face and topline, creates the perfect blend of distance, forgiveness and accuracy. A hollow body construction throughout the set gives every club hybrid-like launch and distance, to get the ball airborne with ease.

PUMA Golf Introduces ROAR Collection

The new PUMA Golf ROAR Collection is inspired by the Gold Standard of tournaments and the epic roars of the crowd often heard as players take their shot at the Island Green on the iconic 17th Hole at TPC Sawgrass.

The Collection features a bold take on PUMA branding, taking the iconic cat logo and creating a strong, powerful graphic that was designed to stand out from the crowd.

Bridgestone Golf Introduces Tour B XS Yellow in Response to Player Demand

Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, announced today the release of the new Bridgestone TOUR B XS in yellow. Featuring all the same advanced performance features and innovative technologies as the standard TOUR B XS, which was designed with help of Tiger Woods, the new yellow version is a direct result of consumer demand.

“The TOUR B XS has a very large and enthusiastic following from players with fast swing speeds who are seeking additional spin control around the green,” said Elliot Mellow, Golf Ball Marketing Manager at Bridgestone Golf. “A significant number of those players indicated a desire for a yellow option on our TOUR B XS model, and, being in tune with our consumers, we created it for them.”

Ultimate Kingdom Experience at Reynolds Lake Oconee

Perfectly timed to launch the 2021 golf season, The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee unveils “The Ultimate Kingdom Experience” package that includes professional club fitting, a custom-fit TaylorMade driver made on site, and two rounds on Reynolds Lake Oconee’s award-winning layouts.

Starting from $2,595, the package features a one-on-one consultation with a TaylorMade Tour Club Fitter and the building of a new TaylorMade SIM2 driver to the guest’s specifications. The driver will be built in time for the golfer to use it on at least one of two rounds on any of the community’s five championship resort courses, all rated among the best in the Southeast. The package also includes an on-course lesson from PGA Tour veteran and Kingdom Instructor Blake Adams.

Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Offers Two New Programs to Enhance Online Buying

The Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company had another spectacular year in 2020, realizing a year-over-year sales increase in excess of 50%.  This marks the second year in a row that the Company has achieved this level of growth, which was due in no small part to their innovative Direct-To-Consumer business model.  The Company adapted its business strategy pivoting away from the old-fashioned brick and mortar distribution model in late 2017 as a means of providing ultra-premium, forged golf equipment to serious golfers directly without retail mark-up and other unnecessary costs factored into their prices.

“We knew that selling direct was the way to go for us a few years ago.  Not only is it more efficient and effective for us, but it allows us to have a one-on-one relationship with the end-user.  As a result, golfers get hand-crafted, custom-built golf clubs for much less than they would pay at golf or sporting goods stores,” said Scott White, President and CEO of the Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company.  “Ecommerce is here to stay; we see nothing but upside for our business model in the future … especially as the global pandemic drags on and golfers remain cautious about visiting retail locations.”