/ Geoff Shackelford
As part of his series on the great golf architects, Andy Johnson had me on the Fried Egg podcast to discuss George Thomas, aka The Captain who I wrote a biography of in (gulp) 1996! Hope you enjoy.
Golfing News & Blog Articles
Stay up-to-date on golfing news, products, and trends from around the world.
Rory McIlroy was on the rocks late in his third round at the DP World Tour Championship but managed to claim a one-shot lead.
Infinitum, located on Spain’s Costa Dorada coastline, 100km south of Barcelona, is Europe’s newest lifestyle resort with championship golf facilities, modern gastronomy, bespoke cultural activities, and a contemporary beach club featuring state-of-the-art facilities, a tapas bar and one of the region’s best restaurants.
The Resort is home to three golf courses – Hills, Lakes, Ruins – each with their own distinct design and layout, with the latter two designed by Former World No.1 Greg Norman. Named ‘Europe’s Best Golf Venue’ for three consecutive years, its award-winning facilities play host to the European Tour’s Final Qualifying Stage, delivering championship conditions across its rolling fairways and undulating greens. Its championship golf course, Hills, has recently been ranked inside Golf World’s ‘Top 100 Golf Courses in Continental Europe’ for the first time, elevating its position as one of the most exciting courses in Spain.
The golf courses are complemented by two state-of-the-art clubhouses, designed to make the most of the region’s breath-taking views, modern practice facilities, a fully equipped pro shop, and a bespoke fitness centre.
Located 10 minutes from Tarragona, Infinitum offers direct access to the beach with panoramic sea views. Explore a range of endless experiences, discovering centuries of protected landscapes, cultural destinations, and historic landmarks. As the gateway to Barcelona, Infinitum opens the imagination for all, whether its discovering the region’s famous vineyards, oyster-tasting amongst the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean or riding a hot-air balloon across the Ebro Delta.
Infinitum Beach Club presents a peaceful escape, 100 feet above the sea, perched amongst spectacular pines. One of the finest beach experiences in Europe, a relaxing setting awaits including infinity pools and Flamma, the signature restaurant at Infinitum, connecting the sounds of the sea with unique flavours from local fresh produce. The modern gastronomy offering continues with Gusto, the home to Mediterranean tapas, a more casual alternative; The Lakehouse, an ideal setting to sample healthy and traditional dishes overlooking the golf courses from a panoramic terrace, and Terra, a brand-new gourmet shop, exhibiting a selection of local, high-quality products.
Talor Gooch of Oklahoma had no problem with 25 mph wind that swept over Sea Island. He made a 65-foot eagle putt on his way to a 65 on Friday to build a one-shot lead in the RSM Classic.
Celine Boutier made seven birdies over the last 10 holes and finished with a 65 on Friday to open up at four-shot lead at the CME Group Tour Championship.
The LPGA released a 2022 schedule on Friday that features 34 tournaments -- including five in Southern California -- with record prize money that is approaching $90 million.
A sloppy finish cost Rory McIlroy the chance of a second straight day in the outright lead at the DP World Tour Championship.
Full Swing has come out with a personal launch monitor.The Full Swing KIT is a subscription model but has a one-time fee option.The price for the unit is $3,999.
Full Swing might not be as well known as Foresight or Trackman but the company has an established history in the simulator business, specializing in premium in-home installations and outfitting indoor golf facilities. Along the way, it picked up Tiger Woods as a brand ambassador. The infamous comeback teaser posted to Tiger’s social channels featured him hitting a ball on his Full Swing simulator.
Like others that have previously worked exclusively in the enterprise space, Full Swing has turned its attention to average golfers. With the Full Swing KIT, the company is entering the increasingly crowded personal launch monitor space.
Why should that interest you?
According to Full Swing, accuracy and an almost unlimited number of customizable features.
The Technical Details
Let’s get the technical bits out of the way.
Sebastian Munoz leads the RSM Classic by 1 shot after a career-best 10-under 60 on Thursday.
Jeongeun Lee6 took a one-shot lead over four players after the first round of the CME Group Tour Championship on Thursday, with LPGA Tour player of the year leader Nelly Korda two shots back.
The new BB line features four familiar Bettinardi designs.The previously “hexperimental” Inovai 8.0 will be offered at retail shops.The Inovai 6.0 makes a surprise return with a new profile and Roll Control Face Milling.
Staying true to their two-year release cycle, Bettinardi Golf has unveiled their 2022 BB and Inovai putters. OK, so maybe there was also a new Inovai last year but the last batch of BB putters for sure came out in 2020.
Consumers will find the BB putter line evokes feelings of both met expectations and surprise. You’ll find the things you expect to find in a Bettinardi BB putter but you’ll also find some unexpected alterations. That’s not too shabby for a batch of just four putters.
I was able to ask Sam Bettinardi a few questions about the new lines and the status of Bettinardi Golf. Although I was asking him about 2022, the following query best sets the stage for Bettinardi at the end of 2021 as well.
Do you see 2022 being a breakout year for Bettinardi Golf?
“We have broken out in 2021! Our products are now sold in over 45 countries around the world, in all major big box stores in America, specialty club fitters and over 60 of the top 100 golf courses in the U.S. We are going to keep the pedal down with making the best product in the world, all produced in our own shop just outside of Chicago. I am so proud of what our team has accomplished the last few years and where we are headed.”
Rory McIlroy made a fast start at the World Tour Championships as he shot a first-round 65 to take a two-shot lead in Dubai.
Our deepest sympathies to Josh Sens for having to take out the 8 a.m. Golf news litterings with this “strategic alliance” “news” of 86-year-old Gary Player joining with Jack Nicklaus’s firm for design resource assistance.
Essentially the Nicklaus plan factory will churn out whatever stuff Player is paid slap his name to. Sens writes:
Under the arrangement, Player will enlist the resources of Nicklaus Design to help him launch his reborn Gary Player Design business. (Nicklaus Design is an affiliate of GOLF.com’s parent company, 8AM Golf.) That business has been largely inactive over the past two years, held up by a legal dispute between Player and a company run by one of his sons.
Family.
With that dispute now behind him, Player said he was eager to get back to designing and building courses around the world, and that the relationship with Nicklaus Design would be key as his own design company starts afresh.
Golf is a very personalized game. Every shot that you make depends on your absolute focus to apply YOUR BEST knowledge for success. You have to block out any external interference from your environment and your foursome. It really comes down to your personal skill in making a prefect shot every time you swing a club.
Don’t kid yourself: Consistent hitting with every club is NOT easy. You should study your swing for every club and take lessons to correct your swing. You need to understand what’s wrong with YOUR swing BEFORE you can develop consistency. Then use these tips to achieve the success you want on the course.
Play the Tees for your Age and Strength: If you can’t reach the green on in 2 strokes on par 4’s with 50% of your attempts then more to forward tees.Weather Can Be your Friend or Your Enemy: Don’t expect your low rounds on a windy or rainy day. They will be more challenging and frustrating.Avoid Blow-up Holes: If you make a poor shot by mishitting or landing in a hazard, accept your mistake and work on performing the best recover shot to a safe location. Don’t compound your error by trying to make a hero shot and ending up with a SNOWMAN 8.Believe in your Skills for Every Shot: When you prepare for every shot remember the great shots that you have made when you relax with a full backswing and a balanced finish. Think positive words like “I’m calm and I can do this.” It’s only 18 holes and if you can par 1 hole you can par them all.Play with Partners who can Inspire You: Play with friends who play at your speed. Who can relax your mind and take your mind off the low score that you are shooting.Luck Helps: If you make a bad shot don’t start stewing over it until your find your ball. Focus on knowing your ball location and finding your ball, then sort out a positive solution. More often than not, you get a lucky break so that you can salvage a bogey. Find the positive and make the best of it.Don’t Focus on a Low Target Number: Don’t focus on your end result. You can’t afford to be thinking about your chances to make a birdie or the glory if you break 90 or 80. Block those thoughts out. Make your prefect practice swing with the right cadence and a balanced finish. Then repeat that swing to execute the shot. Staying totally focused on the shot that you are making is your best way to make a final winning score.Pros who lose their focus and start thinking about the glory of finishing with a win, never win. That’s why pros often have an emotional breakdown when they finally realize their accomplishment after their final winning putt. They can’t afford to start thinking about victory celebrations or they will they will lose that calm balanced finish on every swing. The same principals apply to you.
Fear of Failure: Water on the left and trees on the right. If you tighten up, you will shorten your arms and lose your shot right. Stay calm and relaxed to make the perfect shot in difficult situations.
Practice with your GOLFSTR+ to control the 6 key components of your swings. Building confidence and consistency will help you reach more milestones in your game and solve the Golf Truism below. Buy one today at www.GOLFSTR.com
Golf Truism #84: Golf is the only sport where the most feared opponent is YOU.
Justin Thomas was just trying to show the world he was putting in some time in the gym this offseason. That didn't stop Bryson DeChambeau, Michelle Wie West and others from giving him a hard time.
These are our first-ever Ball Lab awards, though we certainly plan to make this an annual event. The idea was to distill more than two years of Ball Lab efforts to highlight the highest-quality, most consistent golf balls on the market.
Please note these awards are based on total Ball Lab scores of current models. Only urethane models were considered and a minimum of two balls models were required to qualify for brand quality awards.
The Winners
Best Brand Quality
While we’re only considering urethane-covered options for the Ball Lab awards, it’s notable that seven of the current top 10 and eight of the current top 15 models in the Ball Lab database are made by Titleist. The company’s current urethane offerings set the standard with an average quality score of 89.6. Sure, Titleist offers more models than anyone else but with that comes greater opportunity for average quality to be derailed by a sub-par offering. However, every Titleist urethane ball we’ve tested to date has been above average and all but one of those models scored in the mid-80s or better. It’s a case of getting what you pay for. In 2021, Titleist is the most consistent golf ball brand.
Best DTC Brand Quality
Amateurism, in my opinion, is entirely a matter of convenience, depending upon the financial condition of the individual. It is nice for a man to make a hobby of his favorite sport, to play it or leave it alone as he likes. But…it is fine to be an amateur if one can afford it. BOBBY JONES
