Friday, February 17, 2023

Fujikura Unveils AXIOM Iron Shafts with VeloCore for 2023: First Impressions

Fujikura, the industry leader in performance golf shafts, is proud to introduce an incredibly innovative and game changing addition to its line of iron shafts: AXIOM.

Designed for ultimate consistency and feel, AXIOM iron shafts will be available through Fujikura’s Charter Dealer network beginning March of 2023.

Tesoro Club to Host Monday Qualifier for 2023 Honda Classic

Tesoro Club’s Arnold Palmer-designed golf course will be the site of the Honda Classic Open Qualifier on February 20th, 2023. The 18-hole stroke play event will bring together 120 of the area’s highest-ranked golfers for the competition, with the low four qualifiers advancing to the 2023 Honda Classic.

The qualifying event is open to the public, with tee times beginning at 7:30 a.m. Players scheduled to compete as of February 10th include Brandon Hagy, runner-up in the 2021 Honda Classic, 2020 SFPGA Champion Tim Cantwell, and Canadian PGA Professional Ben Silverman.   With event registration ending February 17th, spectators can look forward to many more major and championship players being added to the growing lineup.

Golfers are Racing to Max Beach Resort in Daytona Beach

As the attention of the auto racing world turns to the DAYTONA 500, fans and race teams alike will have to outrace golfers to Max Beach Resort, one of Florida’s premier new accommodations properties.

The new oceanfront resort offers one-, two- and three-bedroom condos featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning views of the “World’s Most Famous Beach.” The luxury units offer more than 1,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space, perfect for golf groups that relish the communal aspects of a buddy trip.

USGA Announces Qualifying Sites for 123rd U.S. Open at The Los Angeles Country Club

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced local and final qualifying sites for the 123rd U.S. Open Championship. The U.S. Open will be contested on The Los Angeles (Calif.) Country Club’s North Course for the first time from June 15-18, 2023.

Local qualifying, conducted over 18 holes at 109 sites in 44 U.S. states and Canada, will take place between April 17-May 22. Those players who advance out of local qualifying will join a group of locally exempt players in final qualifying, which will be conducted over 36 holes. The final stage will be held in England (May 16), Japan (May 22) and Canada (June 5) as well as 10 U.S. sites, one on May 22 and nine on June 5.

Tiger Woods Odds to Win 2023 Majors

Tiger Woods harbors no illusions of becoming the player he once was. But thinking of the player he could be again following another year-long absence – one whose swing is tailored around his physical limitations rather than abilities – is enough to trigger plenty of excitement ahead of the 2023 major schedule.

Whenever Woods tees it up at a major, he’s always a liability for sportsbooks, as oddsmakers must weigh his chances in comparison with the massive public interest.

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Adidas Strengthens Performance Range with New ZG23 Golf Shoes and Ultimate365 Tour Apparel

Adidas remains committed to providing athletes the best options available when it comes to performance footwear and apparel for the course.

And the brand has introduced two product ranges across footwear and apparel – ZG23 and Ultimate365 TOUR – that utilize the latest materials and technologies from the 3-Stripes to help golfers everywhere perform their best.

Motocaddy Launches M7 GPS - The First Remote Control Electric Caddy with Touchscreen GPS

Motocaddy, the world’s biggest-selling electric trolley brand, has introduced the game’s first remote-controlled electric caddy with touchscreen GPS that offers golfers the ‘ultimate caddie’ experience by blending responsive control with performance-enhancing features.

The revolutionary M7 GPS – part of the award-winning Motocaddy M-Series range – features a fully integrated, super-fast GPS system with accurate green visuals; front, middle, and back distances; plus hazard information across more than 40,000 pre-loaded courses.

New Women's Collegiate Series Announced

In four short years, the WAPT has filled the need to provide more playing opportunities for women dreaming of playing the LPGA Tour. A number of women who launched their professional careers on the WAPT include LPGA Tour players Matilda Castren, Yealimi Noh, Savannah Vilabia, Kaytlyn Papp, Gabby Then, and Grace Kim.

Now, The WAPT is broadening its scope by launching its new Collegiate Series (www.collegiateseries.golf). This new series is set to begin this summer and will provide collegiate players the opportunity to compete against their peers as well as with the pros.

Callaway Apparel Launches Spring 2023 Collection

Callaway Apparel announces the launch of the men’s and women’s Spring 2023 collections.

The Spring 2023 collections offer a wide range of authentic, innovative and performance driven pieces blending enhanced styling with technically advanced fabrics.

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Chubb Classic Presented by SERVPRO Announces World Class 2023 Tournament Field

Entries are closed for the 2023 Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO, with former World No. 1 and World Golf Hall-of-Famer Fred Couples headlining the tournament’s latest commitments, joining an elite field that includes Hall-of-Famers, major champions and legends of the game. Taking place Feb. 17-19 at Tiburón Golf Club’s Black Course, the Chubb Classic is Naples’ flagship PGA TOUR Champions event, now entering its 36th year.

Joining Couples as final commitments in the field include sponsor exemptions Glen Day, Gary Hallberg, David Johnson, Michael Muehr and Dicky Pride. 2020 European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington and PGA TOUR winner Brad Faxon were announced earlier Friday into the field. The final three spots will be determined on Monday via a Monday Qualifier at The Forest Country Club in Fort Myers. For complete list of the 2023 Chubb Classic field, click Here.

Cleveland Golf Releases Additional RTX-6 ZipCore Wedge Finishes

Cleveland Golf, an industry leader in Wedge design and innovation, has announced new finishes for the RTX 6 ZipCore wedges: Tour Rack and Black Satin. These finishes are scheduled to launch March 1 in North America.

The exclusive RTX 6 ZipCore Tour Rack Wedges offer golfers raw, customizable Wedges identical to the ones used on tour and played by the best players in the world. This unique program allows players to create their Wedge from start to finish just like the professionals.

Aon Risk Reward Challenge at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club

The 10th hole at Riviera is one of the most acclaimed short par 4s in all of golf. As more players have decided to go for this green, wind coming from the left has become a valuable defense.

When the wind comes from the left side, players go for the putting surface 12 percent less often. If the wind is coming from the opposite side (right to left), players have decided to go for it 71% of the time, with an up and down from the left side much easier than the bunkers on the right.

Tiger Woods Headlines NBC Sports Live Coverage of Genesis Invitational

Tiger Woods makes his return to PGA TOUR competition at this week’s Genesis Invitational from Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., headlining live golf tournament coverage this week on GOLF Channel, Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms.

In addition to Woods, the star-studded field at the Genesis Invitational features 19 of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking including World No. 1 and last week’s WM Phoenix Open winner Scottie Scheffler, World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, World No. 3 Jon Rahm, and 2021 Genesis champion Max Homa.

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Club Champion Grows Beyond the Borders in 2022

The game of golf requires a certain optimism — players keep coming back regardless of the challenges. The golf industry has seen the perseverance of that optimism in recent years and Club Champion, the globe’s top custom club fitter, is proud to report on exceptional growth in 2022. Following international acquisitions in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, Club Champion has further solidified its place atop the club fitting industry.

The company’s thorough fitting process, hand-built clubs, and attention to detail have gained a strong recognition among golfers, leading to over 94,000 fittings in 2022 alone.

World Long Drive Champion Martin Borgmeier Joins PAYNTR Golf

PAYNTR Golf, North America’s fastest growing golf footwear brand, today announced 2022 World Long Drive Champion, Martin Borgmeier, as its newest ambassador ahead of the 2023 World Long Drive season. Borgmeier is currently wearing the Payntr X 002 LE, the brand’s celebrated full grain leather offering with graphite propulsion plate.

“We are thrilled to establish a partnership with Martin and look forward to witnessing his continued success on the World Long Drive circuit this coming year,” said Mike Forsey, Co-founder and President of PAYNTR Golf. “This was a tremendous step forward for PAYNTR Golf to show golfers how our technology will help improve their on-course performance. Martin has proved to be a true student of the game and obsesses over every detail of his craft just like we have in the development of our products.”

Landmark Win for Kanaya at International Series Oman

Japan’s Takumi Kanaya secured a convincing victory in the US$2 million International Series Oman today to record his first professional victory outside of Japan and suggest that the gifted young golfer is coming of age.

The 24-year-old from Hiroshima shot a final round one-under-par 71 to finish on 10 under and beat American Berry Henson (70) and Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana (72) by four strokes.

Kanaya Secures Victory as Al Mouj Golf Thrills in Spectacular Finale at International Series Oman

Japan's Takumi Kanaya held off a strong challenge from Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana and American Berry Henson to secure a dominant four-shot victory and claim the International Series Oman 2023 title at Al Mouj Golf, part of an enhanced series on the Asian Tour.

Starting the final day on 9-under-par, one shot clear of Ryo Hisatsune, Kanaya shot a resolute 71 to tame the testing conditions that Oman’s first ever links course has become renowned for across the globe.

Friday, February 10, 2023

PUMA Golf x Arnold Palmer Collection Gives Modern Players the Style of Golf's Best Dressed Icon

Golfers far and wide are familiar with the multi-colored umbrella logo and the world-famous sports icon it represents. Fittingly, on National Umbrella Day, PUMA GOLF is introducing its latest collaboration with Arnold Palmer Enterprises.

Comprised of apparel, footwear, and accessories, all of which were designed by drawing inspiration from Arnold Palmer’s legacy both on and off the course, the newest PUMA Golf x Arnold Palmer Collection embodies the essence of what golf’s greatest style icon would be wearing today.

Major Winners Emphasize Asian Tour and International Series as Pathway for Aspiring Professionals

Recent Asian Tour Q-School Final winner Jack Thompson has continued to impress making the cut at the first International Series Oman, the first of 10 elevated tournaments on the Asian Tour in 2023.

The Australian has played in a field consisting of major champions Brooks Koepka and Charl Schwartzel, in just his second International Series event following last year’s England tournament at Slaley Hall.

Japan’s Kanaya Beats the Breeze to Hold Halfway Lead in Oman

Takumi Kanaya, one of Japan’s most exciting young prospects, made the most of slightly easier conditions in the morning to take the halfway lead in the US$2 million International Series Oman today.

The world’s former number one ranked amateur shot a one-under-par 71 to reach four under par for the tournament, an unassailable lead with the wind getting progressively stronger and blowing the field off course at Al Mouj Golf.