THE PLAYERS Championship: Inside the Course (TPC Sawgrass The Stadium Course)

The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is one of the most complete courses in all of professional golf, testing every aspect of a player's game, from the mechanical to the mental.  No two holes run in the same direction, and it's designed to ensure any style of play can win here. 

 

Every year The PLAYERS Championship elicits compelling theater, as the hazards and angles of this Pete Dye course makes playing it a mental battle as well as a physical one.  Bad results will happen to good shots, and the pressure of playing this historic venue (particularly on Saturday and Sunday) will unnerve even the best.  TPC Sawgrass is going to ask players a lot of questions about their game.  And they better have the answers. 

5 Things to Know about the 2019 PLAYERS Championship

A robust field chock full of heavyweights travels to TPC Sawgrass this week to play the Stadium Course for THE PLAYERS Championship.  Although THE PLAYERS is not a Grand Slam event, victory here can be a career-defining moment. 

 

The Stadium Course favors no particular player or style of play, but opinions on its caliber range from prestigious architectural design to unflattering rancor spiced with R-rated four-letter words. 

Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x Golf Balls Now Available in High Optic Yellow

Titleist has given us extraordinary distance in our golf balls.  They've given us superior scoring control and unmatched consistency as well.  And now for the first time ever, Titleist is also giving us Pro V1 and Pro V1x balls in a new, high optic yellow color. 

 

The introduction of a high-visibility yellow color option to the Pro V1 family (the most played golf balls at every level of competitive golf and the best-selling models in the game) answers the growing demand from members of Team Titleist and golfers around the world. 

Aerotech Golf Shafts Continue Rolling with Strong Performances at the Hoag Classic

One week after winning the Cologuard Classic, Aerotech Golf SteelFiber shafts captured two top-10 finishes at the Hoag Classic on the Champions Tour. 



Woody Austin roared into contention in the second round when he hit 89-percent of the greens in regulation.  The 1995 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year fell just short of winning on the second playoff hole, and finished 10-under and runner-up for the tournament. Austin plays SteelFiber i110 shafts in his irons, and i125 shafts in his wedges. 

Mitsubishi Golf Shafts Continue Worldwide Dominance with Wins at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and Arnold Palmer Invitational

Mitsubishi Golf shafts picked up two huge wins yesterday with victories at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters the Arnold Palmer Invitational.  Justin Harding won the Qatar Masters using a Mitsubishi Diamana W-Series 60x shaft in his driver, while Francesco Molinari won the Arnold Palmer Invitational using a  Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue 70 shaft in his driver. 

 

Harding averaged 300 yards off the tee and ranked 16th in driving accuracy.  While Molinari averaged 295 yards off the tee and hit an incredible 86-percent of the fairways. 

Francesco Molinari WITB What's In The Bag - The Golf Equipment Molinari Used to Win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill

You couldn't have written a better script for Francesco Molinari and Callaway Golf.  Before the Arnold Palmer Invitational kicked on Thursday, Molinari and Callaway inked a new equipment deal to make the Champion Golfer of the Year Callaway's newest stud in their line-up of big name players.  Molinari then proceeded to go out and win in his first official start as a Callaway staffer. 

 

The 36-year old Molinari roared back from five shots down on Sunday with the kind of flair that would have made Palmer proud.  Molinari recorded five birdies in the last six holes, capped off by a 44-foot bomb on the 18th for an 8-under, 64 on the day and 12-under overall for the tournament. 

Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Giveaway - Limited Edition PUMA Golf P Cap Inspired by Arnold Palmer

The Arnold Palmer Invitational always attracts one of the most star-studded fields of the season, and Arnie's Place is challenging for even the best players in the world.  It's been almost three years since The King passed away, but Palmer's influence and touch can  be seen and felt everywhere around Bay Hill this week. 

 

There's a lot of limited edition gear released during API week honoring Palmer, and rightly so.  However, PUMA's tribute might be one of the best ever.  And although I wasn't planning a giveaway, when I woke up today for some reason the thought, "What would Arnie do?" was in my head.  And I decided to give away one of those sweet limited edition pink PUMA P caps that honor Palmer and you've seen Rickie Fowler wearing this week. 

Miura Golf K-Grind 2.0 Milled Wedge Preview - Timeless Craftsmanship Merges with Modern Milling

Miura Golf is giving one of its most iconic clubs a modern upgrade.  Following in the footsteps of the original 1957 K-Grind wedge, the new K-Grind 2.0 features the signature knuckled sole of the 1957 model, but adds cutting-edge milling techniques for an unrivaled combination of functionality and feel. 

 

Given the proven staying-power of the K-Grind, the Miura family craftsmen sought to maintain the integrity of the original design by preserving the fluted sole that enables the clubface to remain square at impact. 

5 Things to Know about the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational

The Arnold Palmer Invitational has been a staple on the PGA Tour since 1966, and ever since Palmer became the host and moved the event to Bay Hill Country Club in 1979 it's routinely featured one of the strongest non-Major fields of the year. 

 

Originally known as the Florida Citrus Open, the API is one of just five tournaments with invitational status, and for the first time is part of the Open Qualifying Series (OQS), offering three spots in the 2019 Open Championship to the top players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties. 

Arnold Palmer Invitational: Inside the Course (Bay Hill Club and Lodge Championship Course)

Arnold Palmer transcended the game, and along the way won the hearts and minds of millions of people with his own swashbuckling, daring style of cool.  So it's fitting that whoever hoists the hardware this Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational will likely have to play with that same kind of Palmer fearlessness.  Twelve of the last 14 winners at Bay Hill and Lodge have won by only two strokes or less. 

 

Bay Hill's Championship Course is a go-for-broke, par-72, 7,419 yard layout with more than 150 acres of thick rough that can grow up to four inches tall. Fairway bunkers extend out far enough so that big hitters can’t bomb it off the tee with impunity.  While greenside bunkers and run-off areas closely guard the small, firm greens, putting a nostalgic premium on short-game strategy and finesse shots. 

Francesco Molinari Signs Equipment Deal with Callaway Golf - Will Play Full Bag of Callaway Clubs and Golf Ball

Reigning Champion Golfer of the Year Francesco Molinari has joined the Callaway Golf Tour Staff and will play Callaway woods, irons, wedges, an Odyssey Putter, a Chrome Soft Golf Ball, and use a Callaway Staff Bag beginning this week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

 

Molinari has used Callaway clubs this season, but this week at Bay Hill marks his official debut as a Callaway staffer.  The deal will have Molinari (the No. 10 ranked Player in the World) playing all 14 Callaway clubs in his bag. 

Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company Equalizer BLACK Wedges Preview - Expanded Line Includes Additional Lofts and Finishes

Nearly one year after the successful launch of the Equalizer wedge line, Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company has introduced a full-line of Equalizer BLACK wedges that includes more loft options and finishes than ever before. 

 

Named after the legendary Ben Hogan's famed "secret weapon, " the Equalizer BLACK wedges were initially introduced as a limited-edition set in late 2018.  Using a Diamond Black Metal proprietary finish (like on the Ft. Worth BLACK irons), these wedges offer reduced glare and better contrast with the ball.  And unlike dark, painted finishes offered by other club manufacturers, the Diamond Black Finish is up to seven times more durable than nickel chrome. 

Aerotech SteelFiber Shafts Continue Dominating on Professional Tours

SteelFiber graphite iron shafts landed first and second place finishes at the Cologuard Classic on the Champions Tour last week, as well as second and third place finishes at the HSBC Women’s World Championship on the LPGA Tour, continuing Aerotech's global dominance on professional tours this season. 

 

Marc O'Meara used SteelFiber i110 shafts in his irons at the Cologuard Classic and hit almost 75-percent of the greens in regulation for the week en route to a 17-under, 202 for the tournament.  The two-time major champion recorded eight birdies in the final round, good for a four-shot victory. 

Keith Mitchell WITB What's In The Bag - The Golf Equipment Mitchell Used to Win The Honda Classic

Kevin Mitchell held off Rickie Fowler and Brooks Koepka on Sunday at The Honda Classic to grab his first career PGA Tour victory.  Mitchell birdied holes 12, 13, and 15 to charge up the leaderboard filled with superstars and major champions, before dropping in a walk-off 15 footer on the 18th for birdie to secure his one-shot win. 

 

The second year pro began the day with back-to-back bogeys on the tough PGA National Champions Course, and as many as six players shared the lead on the back-nine.  But Mitchell roared back with four birdies in the last seven holes (for a final round 67) and finished nine-under, 271 overall for the tournament. 

Rickie Fowler and Cobra PUMA Golf Honor the Legendary Arnold Palmer with Iconic Limited Edition Bag, Shoes, and Gear at the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational

In a tribute to Arnold Palmer, Rickie Fowler will once again head to Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, with special plans to pay tribute to The King. 

 

Throughout the week, Fowler will sport a custom PUMA Arnold Palmer P Cap, Limited Edition IGNITE PROADAPT footwear, and carry a custom COBRA x Vessel Stand Bag, all sporting the iconic Umbrella Logo, designed to honor the life and career of golf's most beloved figure. 

On the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, the 19th Hole has Become a State-of-the-Art Mobile Fitness Center

Being a professional golfer has some pretty awesome perks.  From the free equipment, courtesy cars, and all you can eat food to chartered travel and complimentary dry cleaning, the players are definitely taken care of. 

 

And this week the PGA Tour unveiled two new state-of-the-art mobile fitness centers at The Honda Classic that will travel the Tour and Champions Tour throughout the season, pretty much bringing fitness training to an entirely new level of spectacular. 

Under Armour HOVR Drive Golf Shoes Preview - Full Round Comfort and Responsiveness

Sometimes when a golf shoe focuses on comfort or softness, it loses responsiveness.  Think of walking in the sand on the beach for example.  Extremely soft and comfortable, but you don't really have much feel.  And too many golf shoes on the market today unfortunately sacrifice feel as a trade-off for giving you comfort. 

 

Enter the new Under Armour's HOVR Drive golf shoes.  Delivering both total comfort and powerful energy transfer, the new HOVR Drive shoes are a standout option for golfers who demand lightweight flexibility and full-round comfort and support.  Under Armour is basically saying you can finally have your cake and eat it too. 

Reinventing Brooks Koepka - Why the Two-Time U.S. Open Champion is About to Get (More) Real?

Did you see Brooks Koepka talk with the media today at The Honda Classic?  Because if you did, you witnessed ground zero of the reinvention of the back-to-back U.S. Open champion.  And quite frankly, it was absolutely genius. 

 

The 28-year old former World No. 1 player has already made his share of headlines early this season.  Last month Koepka indirectly called out Bryson DeChambeau for his "embarrassing" slow play at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. 

PUMA Ignite Proadapt Golf Shoes Preview - Adapt or Get Left Behind

If you liked the shoes Rickie Fowler was wearing when he won the Waste Management Phoenix Open last month, PUMA Golf has some good news for you.  Their new Ignite Proadapt shoes, featuring Tour-proven stability, unparalleled traction, and extreme comfort will be available to all of us later next month. 

 

Fowler provided ideas and feedback to the PUMA team as they designed this new full-grain leather upper shoe that utilizes an outsole with Dual-Durometer Tornado Cleats for excellent traction, along with torsional stability provided from the full length Proadapt TPU outsole. 

The Honda Classic: Inside the Course (PGA National Resort & Spa - The Champion Course)

Angled greens, savage winds, and devastating bodies of water greet the best players in the world this week as the PGA Tour heads east for the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa.  Justin Thomas returns to defend his title against a field that includes 2017 champion Rickie Fowler, 2016 champion Adam Scott, 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia, and 2018 U.S. Open and PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka. 

 

Quality ball striking will be key to success for the eventual champion, as The Champion Course is known for penal rough, demanding par-4s, and one of the toughest closing stretches in all of golf.  Hole nos. 15 to 17 - collectively known as "the Bear Trap" will take center stage again this week, and for good reason. 

Adidas 2019 Forgefiber BOA Golf Shoes Preview: Precise Fit with a Twist

Adidas is releasing a new line of Forgefiber BOA golf shoes that feature their innovative Forgefiber technology for the first time in golf footwear.  Forgefiber uses TPU-coated yarn that's stitched at various angles and layers for precise fit and improved stability in a lightweight golf shoe. 

 

Beyond just the distinctive stitching process, TPU yarns are also compressed and heated, which melt the yarns into the textile upper of the shoe creating more natural support.  Adidas tested the locations of the shoe where golfers would need the most stability, and strategically targeted those areas with this advanced stitching construction. 

Martin Trainer WITB What's In The Bag - The Golf Equipment Trainer Used To Win The Puerto Rico Open

Martin Trainer was an unexpected winner at the Puerto Rico Open today, when he won for the first time on Tour in just his ninth career start.  Prior to his 3 shot victory, Trainer missed the cut in five of his previous eight starts, and in two others finished T-60 and T-73. 

 

But Trainer proved that with patience and determination, even a player of virtual obscurity can breakthrough, and now his confidence is at an all-time high. 

Dustin Johnson WITB What's In The Bag - The Golf Equipment DJ Used to Win the WGC-Mexico Championship

There might not be a player on the PGA Tour, or maybe even on the planet who's more unbeatable than Dustin Johnson when he's firing on all cylinders.  Johnson absolutely dominated the best field so far this season, running away with the WGC-Mexico Championship firing a final round 5-under, 66, for a total of 21-under par.  DJ finished five shots ahead of runner-up Rory McIlroy, and a full 10 shots clear of a group of players tied for third. 

 

Johnson's milestone victory in Mexico was his second WGC-Mexico title in three years, and 20th victory in his career.  It took Johnson 246 starts to become the 38th player in history to reach 20 wins (which is good for a lifetime exemption on Tour).  By comparison to the all-time greats, Tiger Woods and Sam Snead both won number 20 in their 95th start.  Jack Nicklaus won his 20th in start number 115.  And Phil Mickelson won number 20 in his 231st start. 

Latest Backstopping Controversy Proves Golf Twitter Loves to Argue about Anything and Everything

I love golf twitter, I really do.  There are times when you won't laugh harder anywhere else on social media.  A lot of you are quick-witted, imaginative, and brilliantly perceptive. 

 

Then there are other times when a herd mentality takes over like it did today with the latest backstopping accusation directed at Ariya Jutanugarn and Amy Olson on the 18th green at the Honda LPGA Thailand.  It's not surprising because drama and controversy is always more entertaining than common sense.  But it is disappointing. 

Miura Golf Locks in Abraham Ancer as its First PGA Tour Ambassador

Miura Golf today introduced Mexico's Abraham Ancer as the first PGA Tour Ambassador in the legendary brand's history.  In conjunction with this unique partnership with Miura, Ancer has joined with two prominent entrepreneurs to form Dead Solid Perfect (DSP) Golf Mexico, which will become the official distributor of Miura Golf in Mexico. 

 

Ancer and Miura launch their new relationship as the PGA Tour arrives in Ancer's home country today for the WGC-Mexico Championship at Club de Golf Chapultepec.  Ancer's ascension up the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and his use of Miura clubs is not a coincidence. Before switching to Miura in 2017 Ancer was ranked 727th in the World.  Today, he's ranked 61st. 

Galvin Green 2019 Part One Collection Preview: Leading the Way in State of the Art Golf Apparel

For the start of the 2019 season Galvin Green has launched its most advanced collection of technical clothing with an incredible 368 ground-breaking garments and matching accessories. 

 

You're definitely going to find something in this collection to ensure you're always prepared to play your best, whatever kind of weather you might face.  The 2019 Part One collection features greater breathability, stretch properties, moisture transportation, thermal insulation, and ultraviolet protection than ever before. 

Nelly Korda and Aerotech SteelFiber Win the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open

Nelly Korda won the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open last weekend by holding off hard-charging defending champion Jin Young Ko for her second career LPGA Tour victory.  The 20-year old champion shot an impressive 5-under, 67 at the Grange Golf Club, and using Aerotech SteelFiber i80 graphite shafts in her irons put on a ball-striking clinic.  Korda hit 15 of 18 greens in the final round, and finished with a 17-under total of 271. 

 

Despite not being able to repeat as champion, Ko shot the low score of the round at 8-under, 64, and also trusted Aerotech SteelFiber shafts in her irons.  Ko scorched the greens, hitting 17 of 18 greens in regulation.  Ko's shafts are SteelFiber prototypes exclusive to the Asian market. 

5 Things to Know about the 2019 WGC-Mexico Championship at Club De Golf Chapultepec

The WGC-Mexico Championship is the 16th event on the PGA Tour's 2018-19 schedule with 46 official events, and 11 of the last 12 winners of this tournament have advanced to the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.  Eight of the top-10 players in the FedExCup standings are scheduled to compete including Xander Schauffele, Matt Kuchar, Justin Thomas, Phil Mickelson, and Bryson DeChambeau.  And Tiger Woods will be making his first-ever start in Mexico. 

 

Last year, Mickelson forced a playoff after firing a final-round, 5-under, 66 to match Justin Thomas (already in the clubhouse).  Mickelson won the sudden-death on the first hole with a two-putt par when Thomas failed to get up-and-down from behind the green at the par-3, 17th hole.  Lefty's 43rd victory came in his 578th career start at the age of 47 years, 5 months, and 12 days, making him the oldest winner of a World Golf Championships event.  Here are five things you need to know about this year's WGC-Mexico Championship. 

Galvin Green and the Evolution of Golf Clothing: Game Changing Technology for the Serious Golfer

When Galvin Green decided to concentrate exclusively on the game of golf in the 1990s, they were about to start a revolution that would completely change the way golfers view their golf clothing.  The golf apparel market was vastly different than it is today, and waterproofs were heavy, unwieldy rain suits that restricted your swing, came in just a few uninspiring colors (mostly black and navy), and didn’t always keep out the rain. 

 

Company founder Tomas Nilsson and chief designer Mats Lundqvist recognized this gap in the market for a new and better type of waterproof clothing, and in 1992 Galvin Green introduced garments in bold new colors that used the best waterproof technology and famous GORE-TEX laminate.  

Since this quantum leap in wet-weather apparel, Galvin Green has pioneered many of the fabric advances and design features that give today's serious golfers absolute confidence to handle any weather conditions on any course in the world. 

J.B. Holmes What's In The Bag (WITB) - The Clubs Holmes Used to Win the Genesis Open

J.B. Holmes started Sunday four shots behind leader Justin Thomas, but persevered in brutal conditions at Riviera Country Club to rally and win the Genesis Open for his fifth career win. 

 

Sunday was a marathon for Holmes and the rest of the field, who had to finish round 3 before starting the final round because of weather delays earlier in the week.  Holmes incredible distance off the tee, precise play with his irons, and clutch putting over the weekend moved him inside the top-10 FedEx Cup Playoffs standings. 

2019 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day (Part 2 of 2): Callaway Golf, Ping Golf, Miura Golf, Cobra Golf, and Fujikura Golf

In Part 2 of my PGA Merchandise Show Demo Day recap I'm going to show you more new equipment from Callaway, Ping, Miura, Cobra, and Fujikura, and of course give you my opinions on all the clubs I hit. 

 

Demo Day at Orange County National is a gigantic event, and taking you alongside on twitter and Instagram as things unfolded was incredible fun.  There's still a lot more to show you however, so let's jump right back into it, as we're getting closer to my Best of Show article where I'll share what clubs I thought were best and why. 

Destroying Matt Kuchar: Social Media at its Ugliest

Negative sentiment against Matt Kuchar is spreading again like wildfire throughout the golfing world.  Kooch made a few bumbling comments to Golf.com on Thursday about the ongoing controversy surrounding what he paid a local caddie after winning the Mayakoba Golf Classic, and he's been raked across the coals by a herd of media writers and users on social media ever since. 

 

They're saying Kuchar is "out of touch," what he did "reinforces golf's elitist reputation," and some have even called this a "human issue."  Never mind this kind of holier than thou attitude in judging Kuchar is ironic.  The ugliness of this moral one-upmanship is even worse, and it's destroying the very social fabric it claims to champion in the first place. 

Genesis Open: Inside the Course (Riviera Country Club)

"Ladies and Gentlemen, already 19-under par for 26 holes, just playing his normal game, the leader - Tiger Woods!"  That was Woods in 1992 at Riviera Country Club, playfully enacting a brief fantasy before becoming the youngest player to ever tee it up in a PGA Tour event.  Massive crowds will again follow Tiger around this week as he makes his second start of the year, and it will be interesting to see how he manages expectations as well as his game.  Woods is winless in 12 previous appearances here. 

 

Riviera Country Club is an architectural masterpiece designed by George C. Thomas Jr. in 1927.  Thomas believed "strategy of the golf course is the soul of the game," and Riviera is the quintessential thinking man's course - demanding a variety of shot-making skills and constant strategic calculations. 

2019 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap (Part 1 of 2): Wilson Staff, Aldila, Mitsubishi Golf, KBS, Mizuno Golf, and Bridgestone Golf

Demo Day of the PGA Merchandise Show is always my favorite day of the Show.  I run around from area to area and try to hit as many clubs as I can, take as many notes as I can, and share as many pictures, videos, and first impressions with you as I can.  And honestly when the day is over I'm completely exhausted, but also completely ready to do it all over again. 

 

After making my rounds at Orange County Convention Center I can tell you there are going to be products that stand out above the rest like any given year.  But in 2019 we're also going to see some of the best equipment ever produced from a larger number of companies.  There will be more good drivers, woods, irons, wedges, and putters on the market today than ever before. 

Why Phil Mickelson's Win at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am Bodes Well for his U.S. Open Chances in June

After Phil Mickelson won the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, he was asked what the victory does to his chances of competing the career Grand Slam when the U.S. Open returns to Pebble this summer.  Lefty's reply was simple, "Absolutely nothing." 

 

Mickelson's response makes sense when you consider that the greens will be a lot firmer, and rough a lot taller when players return here for the third major of the season in June.  However just because Phil says there's no carry-over, doesn't mean you should believe it, or even that he believes it for that matter. 

Phil Mickelson What's In The Bag (WITB) - The Clubs Lefty Used to Win the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Don't look now, but 48-year old Phil Mickelson is having himself one heck of a start to the season, and he's arguably playing better than anyone on Tour right now.  Mickelson won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in a Monday finish, and in the process looked in complete control of his game from tee to green.  For Lefty, major championship season couldn't come any quicker. 

 

Mickelson also has a T-2 at the Dessert Classic to go along with his Pebble victory (his 44th career Tour win), and he's been consistently great in all facets of the game.  Phil is ranked 5th in Driving Distance (316-yards), 1st in Approaches from less than 200-yards (36' 8"), and 4th in Putting Average (1.656). wrapped up his fifth win.  There's really not much more you can say other than Phil's playing lights out right now. 

Crosby Weather Strikes Again: Hail Stops Final Round Play at Pebble Beach Pro-Am

It's not uncommon to marvel at the spectacular views of Pebble Beach Golf Links.  And when the winds coming in off the Pacific Ocean start whipping, and the sideways rains start pounding players, this beauty of a course can become an absolute beast. 

 

It's a different kind of weather disturbance however, when marble-size hail completely sheaths greens and forces players to run for cover.  And that's exactly what happened Sunday during the final round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am as squeegees and leaf blowers were needed to remove the hail from the course. 

USGA and R&A Get it Right - Clarifications to Rule 10.2b(4) Restriction on Caddie Standing Behind Player

The USGA and R&A provided two clarifications to Rule 10.2b(4) today regarding restrictions on caddies standing behind players, and quite frankly they should be applauded for their swift and intelligent actions.  The clarifications take effect immediately. 

 

The purpose of Rule 10.2 is to reinforce the fundamental challenge of making a stroke, and to limit the advice and other help a player may receive during a round.  No one ever took offense with that.  It was the rule's hazy interpretation in penalizing Haotong Li and Denny McCarthy just five days apart however, that infuriated the golf world. 

Is the Modern Golf Swing a Back Breaker? Why it Might be Causing Permanent Damage

We all want to swing our drivers like Dustin Johnson.  Who wouldn't want bomb 300-plus yard moonshots off the tee like Brooks Koepka.  And you just can't turn away from the powerful golf swings of young guns like Justin Thomas and Cameron Champ without developing a mancrush. 

 

According to the experts at the Barrow Neurological Institute, however, these players are damaging their backs in the pursuit of power off the tee.  And even worse, there's a serious risk of devastating and permanent injury for anyone, professional or amateur, who swings in the modern orthodoxy. 

The Evolution of One Length Irons: Why it's Time For You to Really Consider Playing Them

One length irons (or single length irons) have become mainstream equipment news this year thanks to spectacular performances and five worldwide wins by Bryson DeChambeau in just an eight month span.  Although the concept of making each iron in a set the same length is not new (Bobby Jones used single length irons in 1930 to win the Grand Slam), never before has there been so much attention given to single length, and that also means never before has there been so much confusion about them. 

 

There are certainly arguments for and against playing one length irons, and I’ll touch on some of those below.  Most importantly however, I’ll try to help you decide if they’re right for you by separating fact from fiction and taking on the biggest misconceptions about one length irons today. 

Top-5 Courses that Deserve to Host a Major Championship

They're the biggest stages in professional golf for both players and fans alike.  They produce the most elite fields with historical consequence greater than any other tournaments.  They're of course the four major championships, and the courses they're played on are just as important to the story as the actual drama that unfolds during play. 

 

We're all familiar with the iconic tracks that have produced some of golf's most celebrated and haunting moments - Pebble Beach, Shinnecock, Carnoustie, and St. Andrews to name a few.  But what about those major-championship worthy courses that haven't played host yet?  Here are the "Top 5 " courses that deserve to host a major championship. 

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Inside the Course (Pebble Beach Golf Links)

The final multi-track pro-am of the year takes place this week on Monterey Peninsula for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.  A field of 156 players will tee it up on Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club for the first three rounds, with the top-60 players and ties returning to Pebble Beach for the final round on Sunday. 

 

Pebble Beach Golf Links is the shortest course on Tour at just 6,812 yards, but this par-72 track offers a picturesque challenge unlike any other.  Greens are some of the smallest anywhere, and when the winds blow it can transform this sleeping beauty into a wicked witch. 

Pro Golf Tips from Sergio Garcia - Anger Management (Video from Saudi International)

Pro Golf Tips from Sergio Garcia: Anger Management 

 

Releasing your anger completely after a bad shot will help clear your mind so you can focus on the next shot. 

Rickie Fowler WITB What's In The Bag - The Clubs Rickie Used to Win the Waste Management Phoenix Open

Rickie Fowler let a five-stroke lead disappear at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Sunday after a brutal and strange triple-bogey on the 11th hole.  But Fowler showed incredible poise in regaining the lead, and then holding on for a two-stroke victory, good for his fifth career Tour win. 

 

The win was the first for Fowler since the 2017 Honda Classic, after a series of close calls in Scottsdale.  Fowler entered the final round last year with a one-stroke lead but faltered down the stretch to finish 11th.  In 2017 Rickie finished fourth, and in 2016 he lost in a playoff to Hideki Matsuyama.  In his first appearance here in 2010, Fowler finished second and lost by just shot. 

Golf Continues to Shoot Itself in the Foot - and We Continue to Love it Regardless

The last 10 days were pretty tough to endure if you love golf.  From a cheeky photo posted on Instagram of our U.S. Open champion, to a seemingly petty jab at a fellow player by one of the Tour's "nice guys," this week was farcically disappointing for golf. 

 

A Masters champion destroyed at least five greens in anger at a tournament in Saudi Arabia and was disqualified for "serious misconduct."  A new 2019 Rule of Golf was interpreted and applied so absurdly that the only thing more deflating would be if the rule was interpreted and applied nonsensically a second time - and because it's golf, of course it was.  But even with golf's peerless capacity to dumbfound, we continue to love this sport. 

USGA and R&A 2018 Driving Distance Report: Distance Up Again, but is it Really a Bad Thing?

The USGA and The R&A have released the 2018 Annual Driving Distance Report containing driving-distance data from seven men's and women's professional golf tours around the world, and as expected distance has once again increased. 

 

In 2018 data showed that driving distances on these seven tours increased by an average of 1.7 yards, which is slightly less than the previous year's gain of more than 3 yards.  On the PGA Tour however, distance gain was up almost 4 yards, and on the Web.com Tour gains were up almost 2 yards.  But is this really such a bad thing? 

Titleist 2019 Players and Hybrid Golf Bag Collection Preview - Excellence is in the Bag

Titleist is releasing five new golf bag models in 2019 across the Players and Hybrid categories, and to commemorate the launch, the Players 4 Plus will be on display this week on the PGA Tour, carried by the caddies of Titleist brand ambassadors competing in the Waste Management Phoenix Open. 

 

I already gave you a sneak peek and reviewed the Hybrid 5 when I gave that bag away during my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway.  And I can tell you now that the other four models in the 2019 collection are also feature-rich designs for dedicated golfers seeking lightweight stand bags without sacrificing storage or durability.