Daniel Island Club Selected to Host Two USGA Championships

The USGA today announced that the Daniel Island Club, in Charleston, S.C., has been selected as the host site for the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur and 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championships. These will be the first two USGA championships held at Daniel Island Club.

“The commitment of two USGA championships to Daniel Island is a testament to the enthusiasm of the club and the challenge that its two courses will provide to competitors in both stroke play and match play,” said Mark Hill, USGA managing director, Championships. “We are proud to add Daniel Island Club as a championship host site and look forward to bringing the U.S. Junior Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Four-Ball Championships back to the state of South Carolina.”

PGA Tour to Expand Trackman Tracer and Tracking for Every Shot in 2022

The PGA TOUR and TrackMan announced today they are expanding golf’s most advanced club and ball tracking and tracing solution. By combining TrackMan’s cutting-edge Doppler Radar and club and ball tracking technology, TOUR events will have tracing capabilities for every golf shot hit during the season. This will significantly enhance how fans experience the world’s best golfers by providing more detail for television, OTT and digital platforms.

This agreement will double previous ball-in-motion tracing capabilities on the golf course, allowing nearly every shot to be traced and automatically shared with television and OTT partners and across TOUR digital platforms such as PGATOUR.COM and the PGA TOUR app. The arrangement with TrackMan begins in 2022 for PGA TOUR LIVE and TOUR digital platforms, while the domestic television partner agreement begins in 2023. This expansion will immediately offer fan enhancements such as the visualization of ball flight paths for shots inbound to the green in TOURCast.

Shot Scope Pro LX+ Earns Rave Reviews at PGA Show and Books Over $130K in Pre-Orders

Shot Scope, a leading international manufacturer of GPS-based distance tracking and game performance systems, earned rave reviews at the 2022 PGA Show as the new  PRO LX+, golf’s first laser rangefinder to feature GPS-powered distances and Artificial Intelligence for personalized performance tracking, was met with overwhelming approval as the Company added over 50 new accounts and booked more than $130,000 in pre-orders.

“Shot Scope has redefined the rangefinder category with a 3 in 1 product system highlighted by the PRO LX+,” said David Hunter, CEO, Shot Scope. “While we knew traffic at the PGA Show would be light in 2022 due to the pandemic, we far exceeded our expectations as PGA Professionals and golf retailers alike fully embraced our innovation. Adding 50 new accounts and over one hundred thousand dollars in advance orders made for a great launch week.”

The Sea Pines Resort Offers SwingFitAI Club Fitting

The Sea Pines Resort—home to three outstanding golf courses, including Harbour Town Golf Links, site of the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing—has taken another step forward in golf amenities with the addition of SwingFitAI Club Fitting to its award-winning Golf Learning Center.

Developed locally on Hilton Head Island, SwingFitAI is the first artificial-intelligence-powered swing-fitting system in golf. Working with 8 cameras recording 360 frames a second (collecting more than 30,000 data points per swing) SwingFitAI helps the Golf Learning Center’s master fitters better understand how the golf club and shaft interact with each golfer’s unique tempo and movement.

Grand Hotel Resort Alabama Weekday Stay and Play Packages

Home of the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship in 2021, 1986 and 1974, the Grand Hotel Resort, Golf Club & Spa has announced its Weekday Stay & Play Package.

You can enjoy two championship golf courses, and a round of golf for two people or two rounds for one guest (golf cart rental included).

Duininck Completes Renovation of Historic Country Club of Columbus

The Country Club of Columbus is steeped in history. From Bobby Jones and Fred Haskins, through to the membership of today, fiercely proud of their legacy and of the Donald Ross original. Ross significantly improved the original 1909 13-hole course nearly 100 years ago, converting it into the remarkable 18 it is now.

Duininck is a golf construction company widely respected for their ability to retain characteristics and components of the original architecture in their restorations and improvements. “We take a great deal of pride in our classic restorations,” CEO Judd Duininck says, noting it’s always a humbling honor to be asked to take on such distinguished assignments. Duininck Project Manager, Chris Kleinsmith feels the same. “I’ve been most fortunate in my career to both renovate and visit Donald Ross courses with various architects. Understanding what Mr. Ross was trying to achieve helps greatly in our efforts to bring that back.”

2022 PGA Show Reunited the Golf Industry to Rave Reviews

The 69th PGA Show reunited the global golf industry in person for the first time in two years, Jan. 25-28, in Orlando, Florida. Nearly 15,000 PGA Professionals, golf leaders, industry executives and retailers sourced new products from more than 600 participating brands, attended high-level industry presentations, learned timely business solutions and connected in person with peers and golf leaders to drive forward participation and the business of the sport.

The 2022 PGA Show began with Demo & Fitting Day at Orange County National Golf Center (OCN) on Jan. 25 and continued at Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), Jan. 26-28.

KBS Introduces Tour Lite Shafts

The KBS TOUR LITE series is here, and it is the latest shaft offering from KBS Golf Shafts. This new series is designed for players seeking tight dispersion, higher trajectory and precision control, while combining it with maximum distance in a lightweight package.

The TOUR LITE conclusively assists to increase swing speed, dispersion and ball speeds making it the ultimate performance weapon. Independent testing showed that the KBS TOUR LITE series averaged 9% more distance than its leading competitors.

Streamsong Resort to Add Fourth Course by Coore & Crenshaw Design

Streamsong Resort is pleased to announce the addition of a fourth golf course to its award-winning slate of golf offerings. The iconic design team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw (Coore & Crenshaw Design) are partnering again to create the newest venue in the Streamsong portfolio. The fourth course, yet to be named, will be shorter than the three existing layouts (Streamsong Red, Streamsong Blue and Streamsong Black), with early routings that incorporate a six- and 12-hole loop as well as a large putting course.

“On Streamsong’s Tenth Anniversary, Ben Crenshaw and I are pleased to announce that we will again be working with our friends at the resort, this time to create a short course within walking distance of the Lodge,” said Bill Coore of Coore & Crenshaw Design.

Club Champion Opens Three New Studios

Custom club fitter Club Champion announces the opening of three new fitting studios this month, located in Madison, WI; Meridian, ID; and The Villages, FL. The brand will surpass 90 stores nationwide this quarter and is looking to continue their expansion later this spring.

Club Champion fits, sells and builds custom golf clubs using brands like Callaway, TaylorMade, Ping, Titleist, Cobra, Fujikura, Golf Pride and many more. The company delivers a Tour-level fitting that produces longer, more accurate shots with a nearly 100% satisfaction rate for golfers of any ability level.

ECCO Golf Ambassador Lydia Ko Wins 17th LPGA Tour Title at Gainbridge LPGA

ECCO – a leading manufacturer of innovative footwear – announces that Ambassador Lydia Ko captured her first win of 2022 at the Gainbridge LPGA on Sunday.

Wearing ECCO BIOM® G3 Lydia kicked off her tournament with a blistering nine-under-par 63 on Thursday and led the field from then on. A 72 on Saturday set her up for a calm and collected three-under-par 69 on Sunday to win by one shot.

PXG Releases New Sugar Daddy II Wedges

PXG, an international research and development company dedicated to creating the world’s finest golf equipment and apparel, has introduced its 0311 Sugar Daddy II Wedges. A striking example of precision engineering, the 100% milled wedges are artfully designed to deliver outstanding workability and control from any lie.

“We’ve taken our signature 0311 Forged Wedges to the next level, perfecting every surface, curve, and groove to help you master your short game,” said PXG Founder and CEO Bob Parsons. “Without a doubt, these babies are some of the sexiest, best-performing wedges on the market. Period.”

Galvin Green 2022 Part 1 Collection: Raising the Bar Again on Comfort and Performance

Galvin Green is introducing their 2022 Part One collection this month, and it's relentlessly awesome. Raising the bar on comfort, freedom of movement, and overall performance in all weather conditions, Galvin Green is proving once again that excellence is a continuous journey that never ends.

The new collection boasts the greatest depth of sustainable products on the market and featuring 39 new garments in a wide selection of bold colors and size options.  The collection caters for top-level performance and comfort both on and off the golf course. It includes multiple layering combinations that enable every golfer to feel complete freedom to play, while enjoying the ultimate GameDay experience in confidence and style.

New FootJoy Fuel Golf Shoes FIRST LOOK Review: An Entirely New Model that Goes ALL IN

I've worn just about every style of FootJoy golf shoes over the last handful of years.  You might even say I've become an unofficial official connoisseur of the brand.  And when I saw the new 2022 FJ Fuel shoes for the first time I suspected there was a lot going on with these.  When I tried them on for the first time, I knew immediately.

This is a FIRST LOOK at the new FJ Fuel shoes, but it's also a review of sorts.  FootJoy has basically taken some of the best features and technologies of other shoes in their line, and combined, adapted, and enhanced them to create an entirely new model of FJ golf shoe.  Which is why I say FJ went ALL IN with the new FJ Fuel.

Srixon Announces New Q-STAR TOUR Golf Balls

SRIXON®, a global leader in golf ball technology and innovation, introduces the new Q-STAR TOUR golf ball. Now in its fourth generation, the Srixon Q-STAR TOUR officially launches in North America today.

The new Q-STAR TOUR delivers the softest golf ball with tour-level performance from Srixon. The Q-STAR TOUR is calibrated to fit moderate swing speed players that seek the distance and spin of a tour-caliber ball.

Edel Golf Earns Gold and Silver Hot List Awards for 2022 Lineup

Edel Golf is proud to announce that its 2022 product lineup has garnered two Golf Digest Hot List gold medals for their EAS Mallet and Blade Putters in addition to a silver medal for their new SMS Forged Wedges.

“So much goes into the development of our new products, so being recognized by one of the golf industry’s leading equipment reviews, means a lot,” said David Edel, Founder of Edel Golf. “We always strive to bring out new products that address the unique needs of every golfer out there and testing validates that.”

Titleist and FootJoy Return as Official Partners for 2022 Women's Golf Day

Titleist and FootJoy have returned as Official Partners of 2022 Women’s Golf Day (WGD): Titleist as the preferred golf ball and FootJoy as the preferred footwear.

Women’s Golf Day, a global golf movement that engages, empowers, and supports women, will be staged internationally on Tuesday, June 7.

Wilson Golf Signs LPGA Rookie Sophia Schubert to its Golf Advisory Staff

Wilson Sporting Goods Co. today announced professional golfer Sophia Schubert has joined its Golf Advisory Staff. Schubert is making her LPGA Tour debut this week during the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio in Boca Raton, Fla.

“We are thrilled to have Sophia join the Wilson Golf Advisory Staff,” says Tim Clarke, President, Wilson Golf. “Wilson’s relationship with the women’s game dates back to the start of the LPGA with some legendary hall of famers. Sophia marks Wilson’s return to this history and heritage after decades away from the LPGA, and we look forward to partnering with her as she begins this next chapter.”

Trackman Loses Patent Infringement Case Involving FlightScope

FlightScope, the global leader and pioneer in tracking and analyzing sports performance data, has welcomed the outcome of an appeal case in the District Court of Düsseldorf that has ruled it did not infringe on a Trackman product patent in Germany.

The initial case was filed more than 10 years ago, suggesting that a FlightScope product infringed on a particular Ball Spin Patent, relating to the method Trackman used for estimating the rotation velocity or spin frequency of a rotating sports ball. Having initially ruled in the Danish company’s favor in May 2013, that has now been overturned under appeal.

Mizuno Golf Receives Nine 2022 Hot List Gold Awards

Mizuno has won an incredible nine golds in Golf Digest’s 2022 Hot List, including five in the various iron categories, a fourth straight gold in the driver category and top awards for hybrids, wedges and putters.

This shouldn't come as any surprise if you read this blog or follow me on twitter and Instagram.  I don't give out awards or have any hot list with the reviews I do all year long, but you know the esteem I hold Mizuno clubs in from the top of the bag to the bottom.