Aaron Rai holed out from 214 yards for an albatross in his 8-under 64 that left him tied for the lead with fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood after the second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday.

Nick Dunlap and Sami Valimaki each tied the course record with an 11-under 61 for a share of the lead in the World Wide Technology Championship.

The 2025 MyGolfSpy Golf Ball Test presented by UNRL included 44 retail models tested across three swing speeds with drivers, 7-irons, wedges and 35-yard short-game shots. The table below highlights only the category winners and runners-up, the balls that performed best in our 2025 testing.

While prices ranged from $17 to $55 per dozen, the data shows clear trends in where spending more makes a difference and where it doesn’t.

Best Golf Balls of 2025 (Pricing)

What does paying more actually buy you?

Our ball test confirmed that higher prices don’t guarantee more distance. Where premium balls stand out is in spin consistency and flight predictability.

Urethane models such as the Pro V1x, Chrome Tour X and TP5 produced tighter dispersion and more stable launch patterns across all swing speeds. Value options like Srixon Ultispeed and TaylorMade Speed Soft held their own off the driver but showed larger spin variation and less short-game control.

Spin costs more but it’s worth it

Spin is where you see the biggest payoff for premium pricing. The Chrome Tour X, Pro V1x and TP5 produced the highest wedge and short-game spin, helping shots check and stop reliably. By comparison, budget models like Kirkland Performance+ and Ultispeed offered decent distance but far less stopping power.

If you’re looking for a sharp-looking golf shoe that can handle everyday rounds without feeling like a dedicated golf-only shoe, the Adidas CourseCup is worth a look especially at this price. Right now, they’re available for $70, which is a serious steal.

The CourseCup is a spikeless design built for walkability. The midsole offers cushioning that feels closer to a casual sneaker than a traditional golf shoe, while the outsole still provides enough traction to keep you stable during the swing. It’s not trying to be a tour-caliber performance shoe, and that’s the point. It’s made for the golfer who walks a lot, plays regularly, and wants comfort to last into the back nine.

The upper has a clean, minimal profile that works both on and off the course, so if you’re the type who doesn’t change shoes in the parking lot, these will fit your routine. At $70 the CoureCup is a no-brainer, and can take you from the course to dinner without a hitch. If you need a dependable, comfortable spikeless shoe for next season or your upcoming golf trip, this deal is worth acting on.

The post One of adidas’ Best Everyday Golf Shoes Just Dropped to $70 appeared first on MyGolfSpy.

You arrive at the first tee at 7:58 a.m. for your 8 o’clock slot. The group ahead has cleared the tee box and now is out of range. The starter’s staring at you. You’re technically on time, so why is he?

Etiquette breakdowns on the course usually stem from not understanding the unwritten timing and positioning rules that keep play moving. A relaxed four-hour round morphs into a tense five-and-a-half-hour ordeal. The group behind keeps hitting into you. The marshal’s driven past three times now.

The pace problem nobody talks about

Most beginners equate pace of play with walking faster between shots. That’s incomplete. The actual issue: not preparing for your shot while others hit theirs.

Ready golf (hitting when ready rather than strictly by who’s away) is standard in casual play. Wait for your playing partner to complete their pre-shot routine, walk to their ball, assess the shot, take two practice swings, and finally hit before you even consider your own shot? You’ve added 90 seconds per hole.

A foursome should complete nine holes in about two hours. Everyone taking turns sequentially instead of preparing simultaneously? You’re pushing 2:45. The group ahead makes the turn in two hours flat because they grasp “parallel preparation.”

It’s no secret that putting is key if you want to contend each week on the PGA Tour. While each pro has their own putting philosophy, drills and practice routine, they can’t do anything without a putter they trust.

We took a look at the current top 10 PGA Tour pros who average the fewest putts per round to find out which putter they’re relying on. If it’s working so well for these players, could it do the same for you?

What putters are the top 10 PGA Tour pros with fewest putts per round using?

Harry Hall: Odyssey O-Works Black #1 Wide S

Englishman Harry Hall has certainly made his Odyssey O-Works Black #1 Wide S work for him as he’s averaging the fewest putts per round this season at 27.37. The Odyssey O-Works line has been on the market from Callaway for years. It’s a blade-style putter with a micro-hinge insert. However, some photo evidence suggests Hall uses a White Hot Pro insert.

Taylor Montgomery: 2013 TaylorMade Ghost Spider S

Yes, you read it correctly: the PGA Tour player with the second-fewest average putts per round (27.43) this season puts his faith in a putter from 2013. It works for him but there are many other putter models under the Spider umbrella, such as the TaylorMade Spider 5k ZT.

Justin Thomas: Scotty Cameron Phantom T5 Tour Prototype

You’ll find the Scotty Cameron 2024 Phantom 9.5 putter in Justin Thomas’s bag and from the latest statistics, he’s dialed in with this putter as he’s third on Tour in putts per round. One of the key features of this model (and the entire 2024 Scotty Cameron lineup) is the alignment-focused technology for those whose top concern is aiming correctly at the hole.

Nasa Hataoka shot a 4-under 68 and is tied atop the LPGA's Toto Japan Classic with Shin Ji-yai after two rounds.

A new analysis from the New York Times provides a glimpse into the nature of diehard sports fandom, and asks deep questions of golf.

The post New analysis suggests golf is ‘growing the game’ all wrong appeared first on Golf.

How do lip outs happen? A recent study analyzed golf's most brutal results and came up with some fascinating conclusions.

The post New study explains phenomena behind your putts not falling appeared first on Golf.

Putter design and technology are constantly evolving, seeking to improve accuracy, consistency, and feel for golfers. The core function of a putter is to impart a smooth, consistent roll on the ball, minimizing skid and promoting a true line to the hole.

Key Areas of Innovation

Modern putter technology focuses on several key areas to enhance performance:

• Moment of Inertia (MOI): Higher MOI in a putter makes it more resistant to twisting on off-center strikes, leading to better distance control and accuracy. This is often achieved through perimeter weighting or high-density materials placed far from the face's center.
• Face Technology: Innovations here aim to create a consistent roll. This includes:
• Grooves/Milling: Specific patterns milled into the face are designed to grip the ball and immediately start a forward roll, reducing skidding.
• Inserts: Materials like polymers or specialized metals are used as face inserts to manage feel, sound, and ball speed consistency across the face.
• Alignment Aids: Visual cues on the putter head help golfers properly aim the face at the intended target line. These range from simple lines to complex shapes and contrasting colors.
• Weighting Systems: Adjustable weights allow golfers or club fitters to customize the head weight and weight distribution to match the golfer's stroke tempo and preferred feel.

Common Putter Head Styles

Past champions Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry were in a five-way tie for the lead at the Abu Dhabi Championship after opening rounds of 8-under 64s on Thursday.

I’m not so sure we’ll see a cooler shoe story all year.

Twenty years ago, adidas shook up the golf shoe market with the introduction of the TOUR360. Since then, the iconic shoe has amassed a cult following while contributing to 100 professional wins and 12 major championships across 11 iterations.

Is it wrong of me to call the adidas TOUR360 a dynasty?

It’s no wonder the latest iteration has dominated the MyGolfSpy spiked shoe test for two years running.

Just think about how difficult that is: 20 years of continued excellence.

You might scoff at this, but I really believe the Internet Invitational is on to something.

It’s a sign of the times that the YouTube-only tournament featuring 48 of golf’s most popular personalities has already brought in more than 10 million views in just one week.

To put that into perspective, the final round of an epic 2025 Masters had an average of 12.7 million viewers. They are completely different events serving completely different purposes but the final audience tally could end up in a similar spot.

The Internet Invitational is far from a normal golf tournament in every conceivable way—even beyond its on-demand, influencer-centric nature.

The event, which was filmed months ago, is split into six episodes trickling out across three weeks. Produced by Barstool Sports and Bob Does Sports, the editing is more reality TV show than traditional golf tournament.

Golfers are some of the hardest people to shop for. They already have “their” ball, “their” glove, and “their” brands. But there are definitely gift and gear options out there that feel thoughtful, useful, and are genuinely exciting to unwrap. If you’re struggling to find a gift for a golfer in your life, you’ve come to the right place. These are the things we’d be thrilled to open up this holiday season.

Rypstick – Golf’s Ultimate Speed Training Aid

There are plenty of “swing trainers” that end up in the garage. This isn’t one of them. The Rypstick makes speed training straightforward, repeatable, and actually enjoyable. With adjustable internal weights, you can change difficulty on the fly, build a real progression, and track results without any guesswork. And the results aren’t subtle: more speed means more distance, and more distance means easier golf. For the golfer who wants to get better this year, this is the gift you lead with.

BirdieBall Tour Turf Putting Mat

Putting practice shouldn’t live solely in the living room or require a special trip to the course. The BirdieBall Tour Turf Putting Mat is a tour-grade synthetic turf putting green brings realistic roll and surface consistency right to the home. Short pile, thick backing, and a wide range of size options mean it fits perfectly into a high-quality training space. Whether you’re dialing in your stroke for 6-footers or just want to warm up before a round, this practice green is the real deal. It’s the kind of gift that any serious golfer will definitely use.

Divot Board

Solid ball-striking comes down to controlling where the club meets the turf. The Divot Board makes that visible. Every swing leaves a clear imprint of your low point and club path, so you can diagnose contact issues immediately. It’s durable enough for the range, thin enough to slide into a bag pocket, and responsive enough for players who pay attention to detail. For golfers working on contact, compression, or flight windows, this is one of the most straightforward tools to build real, lasting improvement.

Trono Premium Stretch Belt

The Trono Premium Stretch Belt uses Trono’s Stretch-to-Fit design, so sizing is simple and comfort stays consistent throughout the round. It comes in over 50 patterns and colorways, with premium leather details that feel elevated without pushing the price into “premium accessory” territory. It’s lightweight, clean, and versatile enough to wear on and off the course. This is an easy upgrade that looks good and will actually get used.

Nothing feels like a Mizuno, amiright?

Well, almost nothing, anyway. 

Mizuno’s sizable cult following for its irons is built on two pillars: overall performance and feel that tingles and aligns your Manipura and Anahata chakras. While we are willing to concede that almost nothing feels like a Mizuno, we have stumbled across several iron sets that can give Mizuno a run for its money.

Speaking of money, these alternatives might wind up saving you a few Benjamins, too.

Before we dive into the alternatives, I’ll need to get a few things on the table.

Iron loft is a hot topic for good reason. It’s one of the first numbers golfers look at when comparing clubs. But with more data than ever on launch, spin and shaft characteristics, we’ve learned that iron loft alone doesn’t tell the full story.

Still, if you’re switching from a game-improvement iron to a player’s model (or vice versa), you’ll feel the difference immediately.

In 2025, we tested more than 65 iron sets across every category. Using that test pool, I researched the stock lofts of each set and created a composite average for every major iron category. While there are small variations from one set to another, this chart represents what you can realistically expect in 2025 for golf iron lofts.

2025 iron loft chart

Here’s how 2025 iron loft averages compare across every major category tested by MyGolfSpy.

The loft gap is big

The difference between the average player’s 7-iron (33 degrees) and a super game improvement 7-iron (27) is six degrees, roughly the difference between a 7-iron and a “5½-iron.” That’s why golfers switching categories instantly notice a change in distance and trajectory.

Western North Carolina is home to natural beauty and, not coincidentally, Balsam Mountain Preserve.

If you are an outdoor lover, it is a bucket list area to visit. You have the Blue Ridge Parkway at your fingertips. There is the cultural richness of Asheville, N.C., and the surrounding foothill towns and communities. Ultimately, it is a mountainous paradise to explore and experience.

Fortunately for us, it is also a region rich in golf. There is a handful of golf communities nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. A newcomer is vying for attention, especially from individuals looking to escape to the rural peacefulness the mountains provide. And, to its credit, this upstart is rooted in preserving the natural scene and beauty of Sylva, N.C.

This is Balsam Mountain Preserve.

Balsam golf is an Arnold Palmer masterpiece

Balsam Mountain Preserve is an Arnold Palmer Signature Course. The views are breathtaking. The routing will leave you speechless. Soaking in the beauty at every turn will satisfy your soul, especially if you believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Japanese golfers Nasa Hataoka and Miyu Yamashita each shot 7-under 65 on Thursday to stand atop the leaderboard after the first round of the LPGA's Toto Japan Classic.

LXXII golf arrives. Plus, Rose will not Captain in '27, GMac throws his name into the pursuit, the late Judy Bell, Quotables and Reads.

High school junior Charlie Woods, the son of 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, was named a first-team All-American by the AJGA.