USGA Announces Sand Valley Resort Will Host four USGA Amateur Championships

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced that Sand Valley Resort, in Nekoosa, Wis., will be the host site for four USGA championships, beginning with the U.S. Mid-Amateur in 2026. The 2029 U.S. Junior Amateur, 2030 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and 2034 U.S. Girls’ Junior will also be conducted at the resort.

“The USGA is excited to begin this commitment with Sand Valley Resort, and we look forward to a long and fulfilling relationship,” said Mark Hill, USGA managing director, Championships. “The Keiser family has been committed to hosting national championships and promoting amateur competitions. We know that the resort’s courses will challenge and thoroughly impress the world’s best players.”

Wilson Fit AI Set to Change Future of Golf Club Fitting

Wilson Sporting Goods Co. has introduced Wilson Fit AI, an innovative, first-of-its-kind technology that will benefit both golf club fitters and golfers looking for the most advanced custom fitting experience. Wilson Fit AI combines Wilson’s black box algorithm with Blast Motion’s industry-leading motion analysis technology to deliver a simplified, more efficient and engaging fitting process for all involved.

“The team at Wilson is thrilled to bring Wilson Fit AI to market and, simply put, this is the future of golf fitting,” said Bob Thurman, Global Vice President of Research & Development at Wilson and General Manager of Wilson Golf. “Club fitters using a Wilson iron with a Blast Motion sensor embedded into the grip will be able to provide real-time feedback for every aspect of the player’s swing including shaft loading, swing tempo, face closing rates, and more. It will only take a few swings to understand a golfer’s swing profile allowing us to recommend the perfect set of Wilson customized irons, along with the ideal head model, shaft type and grip for each golf club.”

USGA Returns to Venerable Maryland Venues

The USGA has announced that Woodmont Country Club, in Rockville, Md., will host the 2025 and 2026 U.S. Adaptive Opens, and the 2028 U.S. Junior Amateur, while Columbia Country Club, in Chevy Chase, Md., will host the 2027 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and the 2035 U.S. Senior Amateur. This marks the USGA’s first return to Maryland since 2021 and a commitment to host five championships in the state over an 11-year period.

 

“We are excited to return to Maryland, which is home not only to historic golf venues, but also supportive and engaged fans familiar with USGA championships," said John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer. “We know that Woodmont Country Club, Columbia Country Club and the surrounding communities will be thoroughly engaged in hosting these five championships. We look forward to partnering with our host clubs to stage top-tier events for some of the best players in the world.”

USGA Delivers Yearlong Impact in Championing and Advancing the Game

Delivering on an organizational commitment to drive impact “for the good of the game,” the USGA’s investments and programs contributed greatly to golf’s overall health and growth in 2023.

"129 years ago today, a handful of forward-thinking American golf clubs came together to formulate the USGA – with a simple mission to provide a common set of rules for all, to conduct national championships, and to provide a long-term, unbiased perspective for an even better future for our game,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan. “In 2023, we took significant steps toward that goal to more deeply invest our voice, expertise and financial resources to foster a stronger, more welcoming and more sustainable game.”

Enhanced Layering at Heart of Original Penguin Winter 2023 Collection

Original Penguin, known for its unique, humorous and detail-oriented clothing, is pleased to spotlight its Winter 2023 collections for men and women, inspired by the great outdoors and 60s space age fashion.

Perfectly marrying high street trends with edgy golf course chic, Original Penguin Golf, supported by global brand ambassador and Open Champion Cameron Smith, continues to fuse bold styling with tried-and-tested designs for golfers looking to inject a modern look into their golfing wardrobe.

Letters from Santa DAY 12 PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway: Club Champion Iron Fitting and FULL Iron Set (Custom Built) of Your Choice

Santa's talked about his love for traditions with us over the past few days.  And tonight on his command and with his full excitement we officially have a new PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway tradition.

For the second year in a row we're giving someone a FULL Set of irons Custom Built and Fit from the one and only Club Champion!

PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas JingleBAM DAY 12 Golf Giveaway: 12 PAIRS of New 2023 Adidas ZG23 and MC80 Golf Shoes (12 Winners)

This has become a PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway tradition.  12 PAIRS of new Adidas Golf shoes for 12 Winners on DAY 12.  And this one is the most exciting for me because you can also choose between two different styles!

Head over to the Adidas site and choose between the new MC80 shoes or the new ZG23 shoes.  You can pick any color, any size, men's or women's.

FIVE PXG 0311 GEN5 Drivers for 5 Winners: 2023 PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway DAY 12

It's been a great year for PXG.  They won early in the year on the PGA Tour, won late in the year again, and had all kinds of success in between.  A player on the Korn Ferry Tour secured his Tour card this year playing a bag of PXG clubs.  And the Number 3 Ranked Female Golfer in the World won four times this year playing the PXG 0311 GEN5 driver.

But for DAY 12 of my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway we're not going to give away a PXG 0311 GEN5 Driver.  No, we're going to give away FIVE (custom fit) PXG 0311 GEN5 Drivers to FIVE people! KABOOM BABY!

Letters from Santa DAY 11 PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway: Design Your Own FootJoy MyJoys Golf Shoes

Santa just brought it all together tonight.  Traditions and Customs.  What we all share in common with Christmas.  And Santa wants to have one of you design your own FootJoy MyJoys Golf Shoes!

Go on over to the site in the link above and go crazy.  Show me what shoes you design if you want.  Santa apparently designed a few for himself tonight.  Even designed a pair for me and not gonna lie, I'm diggin' em.  I'll let you read all about it in Santa's letter.  And I'll also tell you more about the MyJoys Design Studio below if you've never used it.  Easy Peasy and tons of fun!

PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas JingleBAM DAY 11 Golf Giveaway: Motocaddie M7 Remote Electric Caddy Review

I promised you Kringle haymakers with the last three days of my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway.  And you know Kringle gonna Kringle.  So we're coming from the top rope for my DAY 11 Jingle BAM with a brand new Motocaddy M7 Remote Electric Caddy for one of you!

And Kringle won't stop there.  You're also getting an Accessories Package to go along with your Motocaddy new M7.sidecick.  That means you also get a drink holder, a scorecard holder, an umbrella holder, a device cradle and more.  These all easily attach to your M7 so you want for absolutely nothing out on the course.

Srixon ZX7 Mk II Irons Review: 2023 PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway DAY 11

The new Srixon ZX7 Mk II irons ruled the roost on professional tours this year.  ZX7 Mk II won multiple times on the PGA and LPGA Tour.  They won major championships on both tours.  If you've hit the ZX7 Mk II chances are damn good your contentment is all-consuming.  And I'm telling you from experience there's all kinds of Yippee-Ki-Yay in these babies.

And so for DAY 11 of my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway one of you is going to win a full set (4-P) of the ZX7 Mk II irons, LH or RH.

Letters from Santa DAY 10 PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway: New Vessel Player IV Stand Bag

Santa knows me all too well.  Then again it's no secret I hold Vessel golf bags in the highest regard.  What I didn't know however was that Santa is apparently all in on Die Hard as a Christmas movie.  And apparently he might have a deal in place with Vessel that will actually give him time to play golf on Christmas Eve.  I'll let him tell you all about it below.

So Santa wants to give one of you the new Vessel Player IV Stand Bag.  Talk about All Gas No Brakes baby!  You can check out the available colors on the Vessel site.  You can also choose the 6-way or 14-way top.  And then ready or not, you're about to enjoy the walk more than you ever have before.

PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas JingleBAM DAY 10 Golf Giveaway: YEAR Supply of Bridgestone Golf Tour B Golf Balls (12 Dozen) Review

Tiger Woods has said the most important thing in your golf bag is your golf ball.  "It's the golf ball because it's something you use on every shot," according to Woods.  And I'm not going to argue with a 15-time major champion.

Tiger of course plays Bridgestone Golf Tour B golf balls.  And while you might not be able to hit those "peelers" and "up shoot spin cuts" as Tiger describes them, you can have the utmost confidence in your ball that never goes away.  And so for my Jingle BAM DAY 10 giveaway in my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas one of you will receive a YEAR supply of Bridgestone Golf Tour B (12 Dozen) balls of your choice.

Callaway Golf Paradym Driver Review: 2023 PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway DAY 10

The new Callaway Golf Paradym drivers had a dominating 2023.  Paradym won three majors, was #1 in worldwide victories.  And the best selling driver of the year?  You guessed it, the Paradym.

And for DAY 10 of my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway, one of you can select any Paradym Driver you want.  The standard, the Triple Diamond, the X.  Head on over to the Callaway site and pick out a head, shaft, and of course RH and LH are available.

PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Santa Dared Me DAY 9 Giveaway 5: 3 Pair of New FootJoy StaSof, RainGrip, and WinterSof Golf Gloves

We play this crazy game we love in all weather conditions.  Hot and cold, wet and dry.  So for Santa Dared Me Giveaway 5 in my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway let's make sure you're covered no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.

Someone will receive THREE pair of FootJoy gloves.  The popular StaSof for most conditions.  The RainGrip for when it's, well raining.  And the WinterSof for those colder rounds on the course.

PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Santa Dared Me DAY 9 Giveaway 4: Shot Scope X5 Golf GPS Watch and PRO LX (2nd Gen) Laser Rangefinder

You all had your eyes all over these in my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway preview video.  And for good reason.  The new Shot Scope X5 GPS Golf Watch is loaded with features (including Shot Tracking).  And the new Shot Scope PRO LX (2nd Gen) Laser Rangefinder boasts a wealth of improvements that every golfer will appreciate.

And we're going to give them both away in the Santa Dared Me DAY 9 Giveaway 4.  You'll have to choose one or the other but honestly can't go wrong with either.  It might simply come down to are you GPS watch kind of golfer or a Laser Rangefinder player.  I'll touch on some of the benefits and improvements of both the X5 and PRO LX (2nd Gen) below to help you make the choice!

PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Santa Dared Me DAY 9 Giveaway 3: Iliac Golf Custom Leather Headcover Set of 3 (Driver, Wood, Hybrid)

This year I put a set of Iliac Golf leather headcovers on my driver, wood, and hybrid for the first time and they are all-around exceptional.  Iliac leather and workmanship is uncompromising.  Stitching, styles, and variety positively wicked.  And there's an alluring grace about Iliac's new 2024 Collection that gives each handcrafted piece undeniable character.

And so for the Santa Dared Me DAY 9 Giveaway 3 in my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas you can choose ANY driver, fairway wood, and hybrid Iliac leather headcover from their ENTIRE new collection.  Iliac will also custom stich your initials or name in the headcovers if you want.  So go NUTS!  You can see their new line of 2024 headcovers here.

PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Santa Dared Me DAY 9 Giveaway 2: New LA GOLF Bel-Air and Malibu Putter Review

Just one year after entering the putter category, LA GOLF doubled down with improvements in their next generation of carbon putters, the Bel-Air and the Malibu.  And these putters are turning heads again.

The new putters feature more exotic finishes, a variety of hosel options, and an even larger sweet spot.  LA Golf says the new putters are the most technologically advanced putters ever made.  And one of you is going to win your very own LA Golf putter.  You can choose either model, any "X" finish and hosel, and of course it comes with the LA Golf shaft.

PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Santa Dared Me DAY 9 Giveaway 1: New 2024 Project X Denali Shaft (Choose Black or Blue)

Santa dared me and you know Kringle gonna take any dare.  So let's start the first of FIVE Santa Dared Me giveaways in my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway with something that's a bit of a mystery and generating A LOT of buzz on social media and on Tour.  I'm talking about the new 2024 Project X Denali Driver and Wood shafts.

We've seen Denali Blue back in July at a PGA Tour event and Denali Black sightings will probably start rolling out in January.  True Temper and Project X haven't released all the details about Denali (as they haven't been officially released yet).  But I'm going to share a few tasty morsels about Denali you might not know about.  And one of you is also getting your very own Denali Blue or Black shaft.  You can pick any weight and flex (I'll tell you what's available below).

PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas JingleBAMBigger DAY 8 Golf Giveaway 2:New Odyssey Ai-ONE Milled Putter

Jingle BAM Bigger has been insane.  And you've all picked up on it immediately.  I saw a few of you correctly guess what's coming with my "I am still The ONE" clue.  So right to it.  We did the new Odyssey Ai-ONE putter back on DAY 1 to open up my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway.  And tonight we Jingle BAM Bigger with the new Odyssey Ai-ONE Milled putter!

You can choose from ANY of the eight models RH or LH, including the ONE T, TWO T, THREE T, SIX T, SEVEN T (two models), EIGHT T, and ELEVEN T.  You can see all the Ai-ONE Milled putters here.