Saturday, April 2, 2022

USGA Allocates $1.9M in Golf Course Sustainability Research Grants for 2022

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has invested $1.9 million in grants to fund more than 80 research projects in 2022 through the Mike Davis Program for Advancing Golf Course Management – the largest private turfgrass and environmental research effort in golf’s history.

The USGA’s commitment to the program has totaled nearly $47 million since 1983, and the resulting sustainable management practices have contributed to a 20 percent decrease in water usage and a nearly 40 percent decrease in nutrient usage by golf courses in the last decade.

Dunlop Global Alignment to Synergize Cleveland, Srixon, and XXIO Under Brand Umbrella

In a global alignment strategy, the sports business for Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) will be affiliated under the DUNLOP® brand umbrella. Currently operating as Srixon®/Cleveland Golf®/XXIO®, SRI’s North American sales company Roger Cleveland Golf Company, Inc. (RCGC) will now be doing business as Dunlop Sports Americas.

Based in Kobe, Japan, SRI is a global leader in tires, materials, industrial products, and sports with nearly $8,000,000,000 (USD equivalent) in yearly sales revenue. The alignment of golf and racket sports branding in North America will showcase the global breadth and scope of the DUNLOP business.

New Balance Golf Introduces Fresh Foam Contend Golf Shoes

New Balance Golf has added the Fresh Foam Contend to its performance footwear collection for 2022.

The waterproof, spikeless Fresh Foam Contend features a reengineered Fresh Foam midsole designed to deliver support and comfort in every step.

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Golf Pride Releases New CPX Grips - Their Softest Performance Grips in History

Golf Pride, an industry leader in innovation and sports performance equipment, announced today the introduction of CPX®, the company’s softest performance grip yet.

The new CPX — standing for “Comfort Performance Extreme” — provides superior feel through a combination of extreme softness and exceptional new technology, including the company’s first-ever raised, EXO diamond-quilted pattern. For players who seek the confidence that comes from the feel of a high-performance, comfortable grip, the CPX is a game changer.

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Silverado Resort and Spa to Host Top NCAA Women's Golf Teams at The Silverado Showdown

Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif. will host top collegiate women golfers during The Silverado Showdown, Monday April 4th through Wednesday April 6th.

Co-hosted by University of Colorado and University of Oregon women’s golf programs, the 54-hole Silverado Showdown will feature four of the top 10 teams in the country, including No. 1 Stanford, No. 2 Oregon, No. 5 San Jose State, and No. 8 Arizona State. The University of Southern California is the defending team champion and Ellie Slama, a senior from Oregon State, is the defending individual champion.

Jim Richerson Named General Manager of The Riviera Country Club

Current PGA of America President Jim Richerson has been named General Manager of The Riviera Country Club & The Riviera Tennis Club it was announced by Riviera President Megan Watanabe.

Richerson, who will conclude his PGA presidency in November this year, comes to Riviera from Troon and their corporate headquarters in Scottsdale, AZ.  He has more than 34 years’ experience in the golf industry.

Tom Weiskopf Designed Black Desert Resort Golf Course to Open Fall of 2022

The new Tom Weiskopf-designed Black Desert Resort Golf Course will open this fall in Ivins, Utah, a suburb of St. George. Set amid ancient black lava fields, the 18-hole resort/daily-fee facility is currently in the final phase of construction, with grassing underway. Troon®, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, will manage the golf operations, golf course agronomy, food and beverage, and marketing for the golf facility, the centerpiece of the 600-acre resort community. Tee times for daily-fee guests will begin to be made available by mid-summer 2022.

Weiskopf, the designer/co-designer of 70-plus courses around the world, and architect Phil Smith have designed the par-72 Black Desert Resort Golf Course with playability in mind, with most fairways 70 to 100 yards wide. The property’s distinct black lava rock, called basalt, originated as lava that intermittently flowed from small local volcanoes approximately 2.3 million to 20,000 years ago. No stranger to working in an ancient lava landscape, Weiskopf also designed the award-winning Ke‘olu Golf Course at Hualalai Resort on the island of Hawaii, which is set in the dramatic lava fields of Ka’upulehu.

Honma Golf Announces New T/World TW757 Line Up

Honma Golf, the leader in beautifully crafted performance golf equipment is pleased to introduce the 2022 T//World 757 line of premium Drivers, Fairway Woods, Hybrids, and Irons.

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.

Monday, March 28, 2022

BGT Stability Tour Fire Putter Shaft Review - Consistently a More Stable Putting Stroke

Did you ever play the classic Operation game?  You're a doctor, Cavity Sam is your patient, and the only surgical tool you have to make Sam feel better is a pair of tweezers.  One wrong move and you get zapped.  It's a game of dexterity and the gist is you need steady hands to cure Sam of his ailments.

I mention this because the new BGT Stability Tour Fire putter shaft created a heightened feel of connection between my hands and the putter head.  It also removed excessive hand and wrist action from my stroke.  And for some crazy reason it reminded me of the game Operation.  The BGT Tour Fire shaft is the real deal and made my stroke consistently more stable.

Galvin Green Unveils Caddie Inspired Jacket for First Major of 2022

Ahead of this year’s opening Major Championship next month, leading high-performance apparel brand Galvin Green is introducing a limited-edition waterproof jacket inspired by the iconic boiler suits worn at the eagerly anticipated event.

Paying homage to the timeless outfits worn by caddies at one of golf’s most traditional championships, the predominantly White ARVIN GORE-TEX jacket also features shades of Yellow and the fitting Golf Green tone in honor of the famous flagsticks and tournament emblem for a special touch.

Rose Zhang Joins Callaway Golf

The Number 1 Ranked Women’s Amateur in the World Will Make Her Team Callaway Debut This Week, as Rose Zhang has officially joined their Staff on a NIL agreement.

Zhang will play Callaway woods, irons, a Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Ball, and an Odyssey Putter in competition.

Mizuno ST-G 220 Driver Review - PGAPappas Giveaway Winner Guest Review

Another fantastic guest review right now from Ty on twitter.  And this one's all about the new Mizuno ST-G 220 driver he won in my 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway.

Ty has played around with settings, tested it numerous times, and even compared it to other drivers he's played.  And he's been hitting the ST-G 220 longer and keeping drives more in play than with his previous gamer.  And as he says, "it's (ST-G 220) as good as anything out there."

Thursday, March 24, 2022

TravisMathew and Cuater Release Limited Edition Gear for First Major of Season

It's Masters themed golf gear season again and TravisMathew and Cuater have released limited edition apparel and shoes that will make you dream of driving down Magnolia Lane.

Some of the gear features the familiar green and yellow treatment that taps into images of Augusta National.  While other pieces will actually be worn by brand ambassador Jon Rahm for the 86th Masters Tournament.

PUMA x Palm Tree Crew to host PUMA x PTC Invitational in Miami Beach

The second drop of the highly-anticipated PUMA x Palm Tree Crew Collaboration will be available on Thursday, March 24.

Once again, Rickie Fowler, one of PUMA’s most celebrated golf ambassadors, has joined forces with PUMA Golf and Palm Tree Crew, the lifestyle brand of world-renowned DJ, songwriter and record producer, KYGO, to bring this exciting collection to life.

Titleist Introduces New 2022 Scotty Cameron Phantom X Putters

Building upon the success and momentum of Phantom X mallets on the PGA Tour – highlighted by the historic putting performance of 2021 Player of the Year Patrick Cantlay – Scotty Cameron introduces the next evolution of the Phantom X family, bringing the most in-demand mallet shapes from the Tour to golfers everywhere.

With seven new models available on April 15 in golf shops worldwide, and three additional models arriving on June 17, the 2022 Phantom X mallet putter lineup features entirely new head shapes and updates to popular models. The putters also feature a new textured grip, new graphics and premium styling. Tour-preferred milled 303 stainless steel face construction carries through to nearly every new model.

Oakland Hills Country Club Selected to Host Six Additional USGA Championships

Historic Oakland Hills Country Club, in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., has been selected as the host site for the 2034 and 2051 U.S. Open Championships as well as four additional prestigious USGA amateur championships, starting in 2024.

“We could not be happier to bring six additional championships to such an iconic venue as Oakland Hills,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer. “Since its first U.S. Open in 1924, Oakland Hills has provided a supreme test for the game’s very best, and it will continue to do so for professionals and amateurs alike in the coming years.”

Mizuno Golf Signs Bryson Nimmer and Vince India as Part of Major Talent Drive

Continuing its recent tour regeneration and recruitment of exciting, emerging talent Mizuno has announced that Bryson Nimmer has joined Team Mizuno. Nimmer is the latest in a series of young players to join Mizuno, following the signings of OJ Farrell, and Joe Long.

Bryson Nimmer (25) is a promising young talent out of Clemson University, where he was named first team All ACC three times and a first team All American selection in his senior season. After turning professional in 2019, he picked up two victories on the LOCALiQ Series in 2020. He goes into the 2022 season with full status on the PGA Tour Canada.

Rentyl Resorts Selects Nicklaus Companies to Partner in Creating Residential Resort Experiences

Rentyl Resorts, the industry-leading world-class lodging hospitality platform, today announced a partnership with the Nicklaus Companies, the world’s leading golf course design firm and licensing company founded by legend Jack Nicklaus. In collaboration with Rentyl, the Nicklaus Companies is entering the single-family residence lodging hospitality sector for the first time and will introduce the new branded lodging hospitality services globally to its network of developers, clubs, and resorts.

The new residential resort experience will offer travelers with a high-end experience, including private homes and concierge services at top destinations around the world.  Rentyl forecasts branding more than 100 high-end residential resort experiences with Nicklaus over the next five years. The resort + residential format will increase residential and golf club revenue streams for developers, expand asset value and profitability, and allow developments to diversify their product and create options to significantly lift asset value.

USGA, WGT Announce 2022 Lineup for eSports Grand Slam Presented by Lexus

The USGA and World Golf Tour (WGT) by Topgolf have announced their 2022 lineup for the USGA eSports Grand Slam Presented by Lexus, which offers competitors an opportunity to compete for a variety of prizes, including a grand prize VIP trip to the 2023 U.S. Open Championship at The Los Angeles (Calif.) Country Club.

With the support of Lexus, the USGA and WGT will host four events on WGT platforms throughout the year. The eSports Grand Slam includes the Merion Open, the Virtual U.S. Open and two match-play challenges contested virtually at recent U.S. Open venues Chambers Bay and Erin Hills. All four of the 2022 Grand Slam series events will include courses that are hosting USGA championships this year.

Bridgestone Golf Introduces Full Tour B Family in Yellow

Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, announced today the release of the full TOUR B line of golf balls in yellow. Featuring all the same innovative technologies and advanced performance features as the white TOUR B golf balls, the new yellow models are specifically made to satisfy player demand.

“The TOUR B family is designed to fit the entire spectrum of players,” said Elliot Mellow, Golf Ball Marketing Manager at Bridgestone Golf. “The X and XS, which are aimed at players with swing speeds over 105 mph, and the RX and RXS, which are for players that swing less than 105 mph, can provide elite-level performance for anyone from Bryson DeChambeau and Tiger Woods to higher handicap recreational players with moderate swing speeds.