Tuesday, February 7, 2023

USGA Launches GS3 - An Innovative Technology Tool Designed to Streamline Putting Green Performance Measurement

The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced the launch of GS3, a state-of-the-art golf technology tool that calculates putting green speed, firmness, smoothness and trueness – all with one device.

A rechargeable smart ball that is the same size and weight as a standard golf ball, GS3 creates accurate, measurable, first-of-their-kind agronomic benchmarks that superintendents can use to facilitate change more effectively on their course. The tool has sensors that collect over 15,000 data points, empowering analytics-driven decisions.

Water Oak Country Club and Estates Debuts USGA Rated Championship Golf Course

Water Oak Country Club and Estates, a Sun Communities destination, has opened its newly renovated golf course to community residents and the public. The course recently received USGA accreditation as a championship course and is part of a larger multi-million-dollar revitalization project for the 55+ living community.

Water Oak Country Club and Estates is an active residential community with more than 1,300 homes and resort-style amenities such as the new championship golf course, community swimming pools, clubhouses and various outdoor activities. The community recently announced the expansion of the property with an additional 267 homes available for residents seeking a fun and active lifestyle.

Cost to attend Both the WM Phoenix Open and Super Bowl 57

This week both the WM Phoenix Open and Super Bowl 57 descend upon the Greater Phoenix area. Naturally, our minds might gravitate toward the real possibility of being able to attend both events.

But how much can fans expect to dish out to experience the ultimate Arizona sports weekend? Bookies.com calculated the expenses and determined that the lowest possible cost for one person to attend all four days of the Waste Management Phoenix Open AND Super Bowl 57 comes to a total of $10,209.20!

Aon Risk Reward Challenge at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale

The Aon Risk Reward Challenge is a season- long competition on the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour testing the abilities of the world’s best players to make thoughtful, strategic decisions on the most challenging holes (“Aon Risk Reward Challenge holes”) throughout the year.

And this week the Challenge touches down at the WM Phoenix Open and the 17th hole at TPC Scottsdale.

Fan Favorites Daly, O'Meara, Pavin, and Cook Commit to the Inaugural Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club

The Galleri Classic continues to build on its prolific professional field as it announced a foursome with California ties – two-time major champions John Daly and Mark O’Meara, 1995 U.S. Open champion Corey Pavin and 10-time PGA TOUR Champions winner John Cook – are all committed to play in the inaugural tournament held March 22-26 on the iconic Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club.

The Galleri Classic, named after title sponsor GRAIL’s multi-cancer early detection test, brings PGA TOUR Champions golf back to the Coachella Valley for the first time since 1993, The Galleri Classic will feature 78 PGA TOUR Champions pros – including World Golf Hall of Fame members — playing 54 holes (three rounds from Friday, March 24 through Sunday, March 26) for a $2.2 million purse.

Dundonald Links Garners Two Accolades at Scottish Golf Tourism Awards

Dundonald Links earned distinction in two categories at the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards last week, the new luxury resort collecting first-place prizes for Best Clubhouse and Best Sustainability Project.

The popular golf course was transformed into a full, opulent resort that had its first full season in 2022, spearheaded by an extensive overhaul of its clubhouse. The spacious facility has received much acclaim for its Highlands-inspired aesthetic and exceptional Canny Crow restaurant. A quintessentially Scottish whisky room offers tasting sessions, while the resort’s state-of-the-art gym boasts a wide range of equipment. Guests report that the refined, sumptuous clubhouse is the perfect place to relax in post round, with panoramic views over the 18th green and beyond.

Tour Edge Announces Four Iron Sets as Part of the New Exotics 723 Series

Tour Edge, the pound for pound industry leader in performance and innovation, announces four new iron sets as part of the all-new Exotics 723 Series.

Today, Tour Edge announced the all-new Exotics 723 Series irons, including the more compact C723 Iron and the feel enhanced E723 Iron.

Tour Edge Announces New Exotics 723 Metals for Every Possible Swing Type

Tour Edge, the pound for pound industry leader in performance and innovation, introduces their new Exotics 723 Series of metals.

Following the path of the previous Exotics, the tour-winning 722 Series, the Exotics 723 launch features two separate drivers, fairway and hybrid designs designated as Extreme (E) and Competition (C) spec.

Monday, February 6, 2023

New PXG Xtreme Golf Balls Designed to be The One Ball that Does it All for Players of All Levels

PXG, the golf equipment and apparel company founded by American entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons, has expanded its on-course offerings to include game-changing golf balls.  Fueled by a desire to solve a problem for consumers, the dreaded choice between distance and control, PXG developed PXG Xtreme Golf Balls to be the one ball that does it all for players of all levels.

Since its inception, PXG has disrupted the golf industry with its innovative approach to research and development, renouncing traditional product release cycles and placing a premium on performance.  PXG has applied the same proven processes to creating golf ball technology, and after nearly a decade of research and development, the company has released PXG Xtreme Golf Balls ahead of the 2023 golf season.

PXG Wedge and Putter Fitting Review (Detroit, Michigan) - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Letters from Santa Guest Review

You've seen the PXG commercials.  You can't look away really.  Whether it's about PXG clubs or PXG fittings the hype is immense.  And the craziest thing?  If you've played PXG clubs or went through a PXG fitting you know the reality actually exceeds even the hype.

You can add Darren (@steelstate18 on twitter) to the growing list of PXG Troops.  Darren won my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas (Letters from Santa) PXG Sugar Daddy II wedges and Battle Ready putter fitting and was blown away by the entire experience.

Sunday, February 5, 2023

Marriott Golf Global Getaways Offering Great Deals in Alabama and Arizona

Marriott Golf Global Getaways has a couple of great deals going on right now in Alabama and Arizona.

And if you've always wanted to play the courses at the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in Point Clear, Alabama, or the Westin Kierland Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona there hasn't ever been a better time than now.

Club Champion Opens New Fitting Studio in Glasgow Scotland

The motherland of golf is joining the Club Champion family in 2023. The globe’s top club fitter and builder announced the opening of a new fitting studio located at Unit 2, 14 Buccleuch Av, Hillington, Glasgow, Scotland. The store is open and accepting fitting appointments.

This is the first location in Scotland for Club Champion, who also has partnered affiliations in Canada, England, and Australia. Club Champion acquired the UK-based club fitter Golf Principles in early 2022.

PUMA Golf Shows Off New IGNITE ELEVATE and Alphacat NITRO Shoes at 2023 PGA Show

PUMA Golf showed off two new golf shoes at the 2023 PGA Show, the IGNITE ELEVATE and Alphacat NITRO.

The main story with both the IGNITE ELEVATE and Alphacat NITRO is improved comfort and traction.

Friday, February 3, 2023

LA Golf Introduces New Bel Air and Malibu Putter Models and Customization Options at 2023 PGA Show

LA Golf introduced two new putter models and customization options at the 2023 PGA Show as demand for their unique (and high-priced) carbon composite putters continues trending upward.

Bel Air is the new blade model and Malibu the new mallet, and LA Golf told me they've increased MOI with both models to even higher levels than before.

Club Champion Iron Fitting Review (Columbus, Ohio) - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Guest Review

The first guest review of the year is a good one.  A really, really good one actually.  Rich (@golfafter60 on twitter) won the Club Champion iron fitting in my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway and had an amazing day at his fitting.

I've been fit multiple times for clubs at Club Champion, including most recently for irons.  And every single time it's been educational, eye-opening, and ultimately one of the best fitting experiences I could have possibly have.  Rich was fit at Club Champion - Columbus, and in his own words, "the whole experience couldn’t have been better, and I’m extremely happy with the clubs I ended up with."

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Galvin Green 2023 Part 1 Collection Reflects Joy of Top Performance

The 2023 Part One collection launching this month from leading high-performance apparel brand Galvin Green ensures golfers can focus on playing each round of golf in confidence and style knowing the garments will stand the test in all weather conditions to help achieve the joy of top performance.

Offering the most extensive choice of long-lasting sustainable apparel on the market, the latest range for men, women and juniors comprises almost 90 pieces in a selection of vibrant color combinations and size options. Innovative fabric technologies crafted into performance-driven designs give golfers the edge to get the most out of their game and enjoy it to the fullest. From exposure to cold and rain, to wind and sun, Galvin Green designers have ensured the eye-catching styles can be worn all-year round.

PUMA Golf Introduces New IGNITE ELEVATE Shoes

PUMA GOLF announced their all-new update to their IGNITE footwear franchise, the IGNITE ELEVATE. The shoes are designed to raise the level of function, comfort, and style for players looking for the ultimate in spikeless performance. Combining four distinct design elements, the IGNITE ELEVATE line aims to provide outstanding comfort in a variety of conditions with progressive PUMA styling that will boost any player’s confidence.

To ensure the new IGNITE ELEVATE shoes are as comfortable and functional as possible, the PUMA design team utilized IGNITE Foam in the midsole. Proprietary to PUMA, IGNITE FOAM not only provides exceptional cushioning throughout a round, both while swinging and walking, it also provides energy return for reduced foot fatigue. IGNITE Foam significantly contributes to the new IGNITE ELEVATE shoe’s level of step-in comfort, eliminating the need for a break in period before being ready for a trip to the course or practice range.

Original Penguin Signs Nico Echavarria as Brand Ambassador

Original Penguin Golf, a division of Perry Ellis International, is excited to announce the signing of PGA TOUR® Player Nico Echavarria as a brand ambassador. Echavarria is making his PGA Tour debut this season wearing Original Penguin’s Spring 2023 collection.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nico as our next Original Penguin brand ambassador,” said Oscar Feldenkreis, CEO of Perry Ellis International. “Nico is a very talented player whose style, personality and international background makes him a perfect fit for our Original Penguin team.”

Brooks Koepka Set to Join Stellar Field at the International Series Oman

Four-time major champion Brooks Koepka will join an elite field at Al Mouj Golf, Muscat on 9-12 February at the International Series Oman.

The 32-year-old American will be making his debut in the Asian Tour’s enhanced tournament series, which features 10 events in 2023 with a minimum prize fund of US $2M.

Dubai Desert Champion Uses Fujikura Ventus for Win

Fujikura, the leader in performance golf shafts, was honored to be winning driver and wood shaft on the DP World Tour this week. The three-time Dubai Desert Classic champion used all VENTUS in his woods and driver shaft on his way to his first win in 2023. The eventual winner and current World Number One used the VENTUS 6X Black in his driver and the VENTUS 9X Black in his 5-wood on his way to victory.

Over on the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open, Fujikura was once again the #1 driver and wood shaft for the week. Over 32% of the field used a Fujikura driver shaft, with another 29% of the field using a Fujikura wood shaft. The winner at Torrey Pines was also included in this, using the VENTUS TR Blue 8X in his 3-wood on his way to victory in California.