Every pro that we see on TV has an amazing straight leading arm during their backswing and downswing. They depend on their straight arm for consistency and added power. So why is it that we also see some recreational golfers who consistently bend their leading arm and still play a pretty good game of golf?

I have been working on a straight leading arm swing for years. That’s why I developed GOLFSTR+. I needed a training aid that I could use during my practice rounds of golf as a constant reminder to keep my leading arm straight in the backswing.

Realizing that I had limited spine and shoulder rotation, I started using one of the Golf-Info-Guide exercises to train my body to rotate. I use my trailing arm to pull the elbow of my straight leading arm across my chest as I rotate my spine. It’s just a great stretching exercise. I still have limited overall rotation (due to age and upper body injuries) but my straight arm swing is crutial for consistent drives and fairway shots. It forces me to coil my upper body for a more powerful swing release.

My wife has a much worse problem with spine rotation as a result of a major auto accident. She almost wraps her leading arm around her neck and releases her arm with tremendous power for her driver. I have never tried to change her swing as her neck is fused and her drives are very consistent as she is able to straighten out her leading arm before impact with the ball.

Unfortunately she has lost the ability to straighten out her leading arm for her iron shots. Her lighter irons don’t extend her leading arm as easily as her driver so she is either hitting off her trailing leg (as she does not shift her weight to her leading leg) or she tips the ball off the toe of her club with her shortened bent leading arm.

Patriot Golf Day Moves to Memorial Day Weekend

May 26, 2021

For the first time in its 15-year history, Patriot Golf Days will be held over Memorial Day weekend (May 28-31) as a way to further honor our nation’s heroes.

PGA REACH, the 501(c)3 charitable foundation of the PGA of America, and Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of fallen or disabled service members, will jointly host the nationwide annual fundraiser. This marks the second year the two organizations have come together to expand and grow fundraising efforts for both PGA HOPE and Folds of Honor through the game of golf.

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The program includes a six-to-eight-week developmental curriculum taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. In 2019, PGA HOPE programming impacted 2,500 Veterans nationwide.

“We’re using golf as a form of dedicated rehabilitation and therapy for our Veterans, and we couldn’t be more proud of the vital work PGA HOPE does,” said Corp. (Ret.) Chris Nowak, PGA HOPE Military and Veteran Liaison. “Our partnership with Folds of Honor to expand the reach of Patriot Golf Days means we can impact more families of the men and women we serve. And to be able to have it during Memorial Day weekend is a perfect way to continue living our mission of supporting our nation’s heroes.”

Brady and Rodgers are facing off in a charity golf tournament with Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau, and the trash talk is starting early.

Phil Mickelson, who won his sixth major title Sunday, will team up with Bucs quarterback Tom Brady against Bryson DeChambeau and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on July 6 at The Reserve at Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana.

LPGA MEDIHEAL Set for June 7-13 at Lake Merced GC

May 26, 2021

The Bay Area’s official LPGA Tour stop, the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship, returns to Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City, California June 7 – 13, 2021. The tournament will once again feature 144 of the world’s best female golfers competing for a $1.5 million purse. While the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship will not sell tickets to the general public for this year’s event, fans are encouraged to tune into Golf Channel for tournament coverage throughout the week. The #MEDIHEALChamp broadcast will air from 3:00 – 6:00PM PT on Thursday, June 10 and Friday, June 11 with the broadcast window shifting to 4:00 – 7:00PM PT for Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13.

As the home of the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship, Lake Merced Golf Club has an extensive history of supporting amateur events and professional golf, including the #MEDIHEALChamp since its inception in 2018. Known for providing a challenging test of golf, Lake Merced Golf Club has produced a notable lineup of past winners, including 2020 Rolex Player of the Year, Sei Young Kim (2019), and 16-Time LPGA Champion, Lydia Ko (2018).

The 2021 LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship field will feature several competitors with ties to the Bay Area including three of the tournament’s Sponsor Exemptions:

Lucy Li, a Lake Merced Golf Club member, and Bay Area resident, had a distinguished amateur career, still holding the record as the youngest qualifier for both the U.S. Women’s Amateur (age 10) and the U.S Women’s Open (age 11). Li turned professional in 2019 and has competed on the Symetra Tour the past two years.

Our New Test Ball

In a decade of testing, we have never seen results like this.

The results we saw were so compelling we dedicated over 2+ years of research and testing with a goal: find the best golf ball in the world.

The ball is the most critical component of testing and common to every single shot we hit. After completing quality control and performance analysis the results are clear. Our testing has identified the best golf balls in the world. Therefore, we are switching to the Titleist Pro V1 as the official golf ball of MyGolfSpy testing.

How Does This Help You?

Our goal is to have the most consistent and reliable testing in the world. To do that, we have to eliminate variables. The golf ball should not be a variable. It is the one thing that is a part of every shot we hit. So, when we have an opportunity to improve, we improve. We owe it to you.

When our data gets better, our recommendations get stronger. When our testing becomes more reliable, you can have more confidence in your purchasing decisions.

After a thrilling and historic PGA Championship, the tour heads back to Texas at "Hogan's Alley." Here are our best bets for the event.

Arizona, which grabbed the last qualifying spot, defeated top-seeded Stanford in the quarterfinals of the NCAA women's golf championship on Tuesday.

The R&A is optimistic that Royal St. George's could have as much as 75% capacity for the Open Championship, but CEO Martin Slumbers said that number could be as low as 25%, depending on government regulations.

Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau's heated golf rivalry has escalated ... again. From slow play and ants to abs and Kenny Powers, here's how we got to this point.

Princeton athletic director Mollie Marcoux Samaan becomes just the second woman to be named commissioner of the LPGA Tour since its formation in 1950.

A video that was leaked Monday night on social media shows Brooks Koepka rolling his eyes at Bryson DeChambeau and cursing in frustration during a postround interview at the PGA Championship.

There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.

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What We Tried

The Under Armour Spieth 5 SL

What is the Spieth 5 SL?

Until now, the Spieth shoe has exclusively been a spiked shoe. The 2021 version ditches the spikes and takes on the growing spikeless trend. For golf nerds like me, the shoe has a multitude of features that indicate Under Armour understands the difference shoes can make in a player’s game. These include a 3D-molded footbed for improved fit and less slip and a HOVR outsole foam which Under Armour claims to get you more connected with the ground without losing energy transfer in your swing.

The Spieth 5 SL also has a heel counter that locks in your foot with no room for heel movement. It has a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) sole which is more flexible, lightweight and durable compared to typical rubber or nitrile soles. Throw in a waterproof membrane and you have the first spikeless Spieth golf shoe.

Why Are We Trying It?

It might be because Jordan Spieth has been playing well in recent months while wearing his new spikeless shoe. Coincidence?

The CEO of the PGA of America apologized Monday for the poor crowd control as eventual winner Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka tried to complete the final round of the PGA Championship.

Stanford freshman Rachel Heck finished the NCAA four-round golf tournament at 8 under on Monday in Arizona, becoming the Cardinal's first individual champion in program history.

Lev Grinberg, 13, was attempting to become the youngest competitor in U.S. Open and men's major championship history, but had to withdraw from Monday's qualifier after a weather delay.

Next up, the one missing piece from Phil Mickelson's major puzzle. Could he be a factor there, too? And is Rickie Fowler back? And should we be worried about Rory McIlroy again, and Dustin Johnson? The PGA answered some questions and left us with others.

Our Job is Your Game

2021 Most Wanted Testing is in full swing. Iron testing is making the turn. Today, the results are in for the most comprehensive Game Improvement Iron Test.

At MyGolfSpy, our job is to provide independent, unbiased and objective testing so you can make more confident purchasing decisions. Our 2021 Most Wanted Game Improvement Test is an indispensable guide for the off-the-rack buyer or for anyone looking for insight before their next fitting.

Whether you are a mid to high handicapper or a low to mid handicapper, game improvement irons appeal to the largest portion of golfers. If you’re in the market for a new set of irons, this test is for you.

2021 Most Wanted Game Improvement Iron: Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal

Several clubs in the 2021 Most Wanted Game Improvement Iron test achieved positive strokes gained values. However, the Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal came out on top with a stellar, Strokes Gained performance. Take a look:

Phil Mickelson faced some of the longest odds of his career at the PGA Championship. But the 50-year-old defied the odds, captured his sixth major title and delivered a blow to some sportsbooks that they hadn't felt since Tiger Woods last won the Masters.

Phil Mickelson still loves golf. On Sunday, it loved him back as he became the oldest major champion in the sport's history.