New Golf Datatech Study Shows Custom Fitting is Driving Golfer Satisfaction and Improvement

In the post-pandemic golf world that has seen a surge in participation and newcomers to the game, custom fitting of golf clubs continues to gain in popularity as a new study shows that golfers are highly satisfied with their fitting experience, across almost every fitting channel. Golf Datatech, LLC (www.golfdatatech.com), the golf industry’s leading independent objective market research firm for retail sales, consumer, and trade trends, today introduced the 9th Edition of its exclusive report on the Evolution of Custom Fitting Golf Equipment in the United States.

“If you ask any PGA Professional or Instructor, they will tell you that custom fitting is an important element of game improvement in golfers of all levels,” said John Krzynowek, Partner at Golf Datatech. “When we started analyzing this category in 2001 there was a very different methodology for being fit, without any launch monitors or hard data.  Over 20 years later our study shows that golfers are more satisfied than ever with their custom fitting experience, both on and off the course, and they are recognizing the positive game improvement that comes from properly fitted equipment.”

Frank Jemsek to Receive Prestigious ASGCA Donald Ross Award

Frank Jemsek, owner of Jemsek Golf based in Lemont, Illinois, has been chosen as the 2023 recipient of the ASGCA Donald Ross Award. The award, given annually since 1976, is presented to a person who has made a significant contribution to the game of golf and the profession of golf course architecture. It will be presented to Jemsek at the ASGCA Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, on Oct. 3 at the Donald Ross Banquet.

Jemsek Golf was founded by Frank’s father, Joe Jemsek, who first brought Frank into the family business when he was just 11 years old. More than seven decades later, Frank Jemsek continues to positively impact golfers of all ages and abilities at courses that include: Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, Lemont, Illinois; Pine Meadow Golf Course, Mundelein, Illinois; St. Andrews Golf & Country Club, West Chicago, Illinois; and Summer Grove Golf Club, Newnan, Georgia.

TGL Announces Boston Team Ownership Group: Fenway Sports Group

TGL, the new tech-forward, primetime, team golf league developed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports in partnership with the PGA TOUR, has announced the formation of its second of six team ownership groups with Fenway Sports Group (FSG). As the parent company of the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool Football Club, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, FSG’s TGL team will represent Boston and the New England region, competing in TGL’s opening season in January 2024. The announcement was made today by FSG Principal Owner John Henry and Chairman Tom Werner and TGL CEO Mike McCarley.

Fenway Sports Group Principal Owner John Henry and Chairman Tom Werner said, “We are excited for this new journey as one of the six inaugural TGL teams in honor of a city whose love and passion for sports is unparalleled. Through this new, tech-focused version of the game, New England sports fans will soon have a team of world-class PGA TOUR players to cheer for and redefine for this community what it means to play the game in the modern era. We owe tremendous thanks to Tiger, Rory, and Mike for creating this innovative new league and allowing us to be present at its creation. We are excited to reveal more details later this summer and fall when we’ll unveil an official name and team members who will represent this great city and region.

Keegan Bradley Wins the Travelers Championship with Srixon / Cleveland Golf in the Bag

Keegan Bradley is a PGA TOUR winner for the sixth time, as he clinched the Travelers Championship with a score of 23-under-par, three clear of the field at his hometown tournament. Bradley has 10 Srixon/Cleveland Golf clubs in his bag and plays the Z-STAR ♦ DIAMOND ball.

The New England native set the new 72-hole scoring record working his Z-STAR ♦ DIAMOND around TPC River Highlands, hitting 83% of greens in regulation. “This [Z-STAR DIAMOND] ball is probably my favorite ball I’ve ever played at Srixon,” said Bradley. With rounds of 62,63,64, and 68, he ranked first in strokes gained approach to the green and first in strokes gained total.

PUMA Golf x PUMA Hoops Launch In The Rough Collection

PUMA Golf introduced a new apparel lineup developed in collaboration with PUMA Hoops called, “In the Rough.” Inspired by the love of two games, golf and basketball, PUMA Golf x PUMA Hoops have merged to produce a collection rooted in street culture with an expression of toughness and grit as well as elevated golf style that can worn both on and off the course.

Consisting of a full lineup of apparel including basketball-style golf shoes, polos, wind vests, tee shirts, hoodies, shorts, joggers, layering, caps, and visors, the IN THE ROUGH collection also includes women’s items, a golf dress and racerback polo. The collection features the IN THE ROUGH logo, a stylized cat, or “In the Rough,” wording in a retro, street-style font.

43rd U.S. Senior Open Championship – Notebook & Storylines

WHO’S HERE – Among the 156 golfers in the 2023 U.S. Senior Open field, there are:

U.S. Senior Open champions (10): Brad Bryant (2007), Fred Funk (2009), Jim Furyk (2021), Padraig Harrington (2022), Bernhard Langer (2010), Jeff Maggert (2015), Colin Montgomerie (2014), Kenny Perry (2013, ’17), Steve Stricker (2019) and David Toms (2018)

New PING Golf G430 LST 3 Wood FIRST LOOK: More Speed and Performance Using Multi-Material Technology

Unlocking more speed and distance through multi-material technology and proven innovations like Carbonfly Wrap, Ti-Facewrap and Spinsistency, PING has introduced the G430 LST 3-wood.

The low-spinning, tour-style design combines a 2041 Beta-Ti face, Ti 8-1-1 body, and 80-gram tungsten sole plate to position the CG low/back for faster ball speeds with reduced spin, producing on average seven yards more distance.

43rd U.S. Senior Open Championship – Fact Sheet

The 43rd U.S. Senior Open Championship kicks off this week at SentryWorld Golf Course in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

The course will be set up at 7,177 yards and will play to a par of 35-36–71. The yardage for each round of the championship will vary due to course setup and conditions.

The Riviera Country Club Selected to Host 2031 U.S. Open

On the heels of the U.S. Open’s successful return to the Los Angeles market after 75 years, the United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced that The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., has been chosen to host the 131st U.S. Open Championship, which will take place from June 12-15, 2031.

“Riviera Country Club is a truly spectacular course that holds a special place in the game’s history,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer. “We are thrilled to bring the U.S. Open back to the site of such historic moments for golf and the USGA, and look forward to writing a new chapter in 2031.”

Sargent, Thorbjornsen and Ford Named to USA Walker Cup Team

Gordon Sargent, 20, of Birmingham, Ala., Michael Thorbjornsen, 21, of Wellesley, Mass., and David Ford, 20, of Peachtree Corners, Ga., have earned places on the 2023 USA Walker Cup Team as the top Americans in the World Amateur Golf Ranking®/WAGR® as of June 21. The trio is ranked No. 1, 2 and 3 respectively. They will compete against Great Britain and Ireland in the 49th Walker Cup Match on Sept. 2-3 at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland.

“Gordon, Michael and David are fantastic additions to the team,” said Mike McCoy, captain of the USA Team. “Not only have all three of these young men had impressive seasons, resulting in these automatic selections, but they are future stars of our game who bring immense talent, enthusiasm and camaraderie to the team. Having them included in the experience at the Old Course is something I am very much looking forward to both personally and as team captain.”

PUMA Golf Signed UVA Star Ben James to NIL Agreement

PUMA GOLF announces the signing of University of Virginia sophomore Ben James to an NIL agreement. The deal will make James a PUMA ambassador who will wear PUMA shoes and apparel.

Currently #3 in the Golfweek Collegiate Rankings and #4 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, Ben won 5 times as a UVA Freshman, resulting in winning the Phil Mickelson award for most outstanding freshman. He was also named a First Team NCAA All-American and was a member of the 23’ Arnold Palmer Cup Team.

Duvin Design, PUMA Golf and PGA Pro Rickie Fowler Unveil Second Limited-Edition Capsule

Duvin Design Co., the internet’s go-to beach brand, and PUMA Golf, a leader in golf innovation, design and style, are pleased to unveil their second collaboration with PGA Tour Pro Rickie Fowler on a unique capsule collection titled “Purveyors of Leisure”, available now exclusively on PUMAGolf.com and DuvinDesign.com.

Following the success of the trio’s first collaboration last year, Duvin, PUMA Golf and Fowler have teamed up once again on a vibrant summer capsule, this time with the introduction of a signature shoe. Designed to perform on and off the course, the five-piece collection offers golfers and beach enthusiasts alike a unique blend of style and performance.

A Star is Born: Clark Takes U.S. Open Title at LACC

On a championship Sunday that featured a bevy of leading stars, it was an up-and-comer who had the Oscar-worthy performance at The Los Angeles Country Club.

Playing in the shadows of Hollywood, Wyndham Clark, who had missed the cut in his only two previous U.S. Open appearances and finished no better than a share of 75th in six major-championship starts, stole the show to claim a one-stroke victory.

Ten Things to Know about Round 4 of the 123rd U.S. Open at LACC

With all the talk about the scores being too low, the course playing too easy, the fairways being too wide and the greens running too soft, something happened.  The North Course at Los Angeles Country Club proved the U.S. Open is not a sprint.  It's a marathon.

Wyndham Clark won his first major championship putting on a display of incredible shotmaking, savage grit, and unflappable poise.  In only his third U.S. Open appearance, being chased down by four-time major champion Rory McIlroy, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, and paired with fan favorite Rickie Fowler... Clark didn't blink.

Ten Things to Know about Round 3 of the 123rd U.S. Open at LACC

The North Course at Los Angeles Country Club may not be destroying player's souls like some U.S. Open venues do.  But LACC North is identifying the best players this week and testing their complete games.

Moving Day at LACC saw the leaderboard tighten with a few more players join as contenders.

Los Angeles Country Club North Course Review: The Front-9 (2023 U.S. Open)

At some point during this week's 123rd U.S. Open, players will grumble they don't like a particular hole or two on the North Course at Los Angeles Country Club, which is hosting the championship for the first time.  A hot mic might catch someone throwing expletives after their tee shot on No. 13 doesn't hold the severely canted fairway.  Other players might be entirely disgusted to find their errant shots in the tall, clumping fescue that pinches the narrowest green on the North at No. 9.

But as The Rock might tell them, "It doesn't matter if you like LACC North!"  And he'd be right.  What matters is if the players can conquer it.  Because this is the United States Open baby!  The toughest test in golf.  And LACC North will also show it's the most complete test in golf.

Ten Things to Know about Round 2 of the 123rd U.S. Open at LACC

More records were set on the North Course at Los Angeles Country Club on Friday at the U.S. Open.  The sunshine also made an appearance firming up the course and is expected to continue shining over the weekend.

Here are 10 things to know about the second round.

Fowler Stands Firm at LACC; 36-Hole Leader By One

A bright yellow sphere made an appearance on Friday at The Los Angeles Country Club that likely left a few people red in the face. A lack of sun and wind that had left the North Course a bit exposed for the game’s best players on Day 1 of the 123rd U.S. Open Championship became part of the mix in Round 2.

USGA officials came up with a game plan for the expected morning marine layer by setting up the course to its scorecard length – 7,423 yards (par 70) – including two par 3s that measured 290-plus yards and a par 4 (555-yard 16th) that played longer than one of the par 5s (the 535-yard eighth).

Ten Things to Know about Round 1 of the 123rd U.S. Open at LACC

Records were smashed on the North Course at Los Angeles Country Club on Thursday during the first round of the U.S. Open.

Here are 10 things to know about the opening round.

California Dreaming: Record Day (62) For Fowler, Schauffele

One year ago, Rickie Fowler milled around The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., signing a few autographs, pounding balls on the range and chatting up competitors, caddies and fans. Basically, he did everything but hit a shot that counted in the 2022 U.S. Open.

As an alternate – the next guy into the field if any player withdrew – all the affable Fowler could do was wait and hope for the call to come. It never did, and he left without competing in the National Open for a second consecutive year.