Golfing News & Blog Articles

There’s a reason Jason Hiland has an extra spring in his step this holiday season.

Hiland, you see, is the owner-operator of Sub 70 Golf in Sycamore, Ill., and his company has just released a new family of drivers. That, in and of itself, isn’t what’s putting some slide into Hiland’s glide. It’s the fact the new Sub 70 859, 859 Pro and 859 JD drivers have something no Sub 70 driver has ever had before.

A patent.

Well, a patent pending. But it’s still a patent.

“I don’t false-promise stuff to people,” Hiland tells MyGolfSpy. “But this is the biggest leap forward we’ve ever had from one generation of product to the next.”

Did you know that according to the National Golf Foundation (NGF) an estimated 6.2 million Americans played golf using a simulator in 2023? That’s a 73% increase from pre-Covid levels. 

Moreover, the macro data suggests this trend of increased global participation will continue over the next decade. 

As such, there’s a decent chance you’ve pondered adding some sort of “at-home” golf solution on more than one occasion. However, the sheer number of options is mind-numbing and, at first glance, likely appear cost-prohibitive. But, as the great Lee Corso cautions, “Not so fast, my friends ….”

WHERE DO I BELONG?

Let’s consider three buckets of would-be golf simulator consumers. 

You’re just getting into golf. There are brands, voices and media companies pulling you every which way.

Where should you start? Where should you go? Golf and, by extension, golf gear is overloaded and frankly overstimulating for the new golfer, seasoned vet or weekend hobbyist.

Sand Trap Society, the brainchild of Max Morse, is a service of sorts to cultivate and curate the best, coolest things about golf and put them all into a gift-able box for yourself or the golfer in your life.

With so many cool products to sift through and so much in-your-face marketing, it can be hard to find stuff that speaks to you. Sand Trap Society makes it easy by hand-picking cool, artsy and trendy gear and shipping it straight to your door.

“For the past few years, I’ve been drawing a lot of inspiration from the renaissance happening in golf art, fashion and culture. I’ve also been thinking a lot about ways to highlight the amazing creativity coming out of these makers and brands,” said Morse, founder of STS.

We are one month out from the TGL starting its inaugural season.

I’m going to be covering the simulator league closely, starting with five reasons why it could become a big hit. Next week, I’ll be writing about five reasons why it may not be successful.

For those who need a refresher, I suggest reading through this story I wrote back in March.

The basic premise is that TGL (Tomorrow’s Golf League) is a new 3-on-3 simulator golf league that will take place in January-March of this year. Initially slated to come online in 2024, the league had to postpone play after a storm damaged the state-of-the-art South Florida arena where all of competitions will be taking place.

There are six teams of four players (all PGA Tour players) although only three players from each team will be competing on the weeks their team has a match. Not every team plays each week. Matches will air Mondays and/or Tuesdays on ESPN until a champion is crowned in late March.

Another one!

Malbon, the King of Collabs, is back with another banger of a collaboration. This time, their partner in crime is world-renowned streetwear brand, UNDEFEATED

UNDEFEATED is no stranger to high-profile collaborations. Their infamous partnership with Jordan Brand only created one of the most sought-after, expensive shoes of all time. Not to mention, hardly anyone could get their hands on them.

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In this case, the Malbon x UNDEFEATED partnership is meant for the masses. The collection consists of a full line of apparel, accessories and more. Everything from hats to polos, headcovers and golf bags are adorned in UNDEFEATED’s signature olive drab and camouflage.

You can shop the entire collection starting now at Malbon and UNDEFEATED.

Scottie Scheffler brought a new putting grip to the Hero World Challenge and felt enough improvement to be satisfied with the result, a 5-under 67 that left him three shots behind Cameron Young on Thursday.

Course management in golf is about making strategic decisions to play to your strengths, minimize risks, and set yourself up for the best possible outcomes. Here’s how to develop an effective strategy to lower your scores and play your best:

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1. Know Your Game

• Play to Your Strengths: Understand your capabilities—whether it’s distance with the driver, accuracy with your irons, or finesse around the greens—and make club choices that leverage these strengths.
• Minimize Weaknesses: If you struggle with certain shots or clubs, don’t be afraid to adjust your game plan to avoid situations that force you to use them. Play conservatively when necessary.

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2. Course Familiarity

• Study the Layout: Familiarize yourself with the course before you play, paying attention to where hazards, doglegs, and out-of-bounds areas are.
• Evaluate Yardage: Know your club distances and play within your range. This allows you to confidently plan each shot based on how far you can hit each club.

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3. Play for Position, Not Perfection

• Focus on Fairways: Accuracy is often more important than distance. On tight holes, aim for the middle of the fairway rather than trying to hit a driver to the end of the fairway.
• Avoid Trouble: When faced with hazards such as water or deep bunkers, opt for a safer shot. It’s better to hit a conservative shot and leave yourself with a longer approach rather than trying to reach the green in one risky shot.

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4. Risk vs. Reward

• When to Take a Risk: If you have a safe shot at birdie or you’re in a position where taking a risk could pay off, then go for it! For example, going for a reachable green in two on a par 5 when you’re in good shape might be worth the risk.
• When to Play Safe: If you’re facing a tough shot (like a carry over water), or if your game is off, it’s smarter to play safe. Lay up and play for a good approach shot instead of going for an aggressive play that could end up in trouble.

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5. Adapt to the Conditions

• Weather Adjustments: Wind, rain, or extreme heat can all affect the course conditions. If it’s windy, you may need to club up to account for wind resistance. If the greens are fast, adjust your putting strategy accordingly.
• Course Conditions: If the fairways are hard and running fast, you may want to use clubs that give you a little more loft for approach shots, as the ball will roll farther on the ground.

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6. Smart Club Selection

• Driver vs. Irons: On narrow fairways or shorter holes, sometimes it's better to use a 3-wood or hybrid instead of the driver. This allows you to prioritize accuracy over distance.
• Approach Shots: Make sure you select a club that’ll leave you with a comfortable distance for your next shot. For example, if the pin is in the back of the green, don’t hit a shot that could risk you going over the green into a bunker or hazard.

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7. Manage the Short Game

• Chipping and Pitching: Around the green, don’t always try to flop the ball over hazards. Often, a simple chip to a safe spot or playing for a two-putt is a better strategy.
• Putting: Focus on lag putting, especially when you’re on the edge of the green. It’s often more important to leave yourself an easy tap-in for par than to try to make a long, difficult putt for birdie.

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8. Mind Your Mental Game

• Stay Calm After Mistakes: Golf is a mental game. If you hit a bad shot, stay calm and focus on your next shot. Let go of mistakes and avoid letting them affect your mindset for the rest of the round.
• Focus on One Shot at a Time: Take it one shot at a time and don’t let the outcome of the hole or round distract you. Stay in the present and make decisions based on the shot at hand.

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9. Pace Yourself

• Don’t Rush: Stay in control of your pace of play. Think through each shot and don’t rush decisions, especially in tricky situations. Take a moment to assess the hole, the wind, and where you want your ball to land.
• Manage Fatigue: As the round progresses, fatigue can affect your decision-making. Stay hydrated and take breaks as needed to ensure you stay sharp for the final holes.

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10. Play with a Consistent Strategy

• Stay in Your Comfort Zone: Stick to the game plan that suits your strengths, and avoid trying to play shots outside of your skill level. Consistency is key to a good round.
• Adapt When Necessary: While it’s important to stick to your strategy, be flexible. If a particular tactic isn’t working, adjust accordingly, and stay calm under pressure.

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Conclusion

Managing your course strategy is about playing smart, not just hard. By making intelligent decisions based on your strengths, the course layout, and the conditions, you’ll improve your consistency and lower your scores. Remember, the goal is not to hit the longest drives or make the most birdies but to minimize mistakes, avoid risky shots, and play with confidence.

Before the 2025 Ryder Cup arrives, a telling documentary explains how the 2023 Cup played out behind the scenes.

The post These 8 documentary quotes explain Europe’s Ryder Cup victory  appeared first on Golf.

Forrest Richardson's interest in bunker-rake placement inspired what may be the most exhaustive study of the topic ever conducted.

The post Where to leave bunker rakes? This course designer has the definitive answer appeared first on Golf.

Justin Thomas is a new father, and at the Hero World Challenge, he explained how his friend Tiger Woods has helped him so far.

The post The ‘new side’ of Tiger Woods? Justin Thomas has witnessed it up close appeared first on Golf.

Defending champion Max Homa birdied his last two holes to shoot a 6-under 66 and take a one-shot lead over South African Ockie Strydom in the first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge on Thursday.

Logan Olson has unveiled its first Craft Batch release since its acquisition by TaylorMade. Here are four things to know.

The post Logan Olson Craft Batch No. 3 blade putters: 4 things to know appeared first on Golf.

Fresh off announcing his partnership with TaylorMade, Logan Olson releases his Craft Batch No. 3 blade putter.The Craft Batch No. 3 is Olson’s interpretation of a classic heel-toe blade design.The blade features a unique strategy for weight distribution and a “flumber’s neck.”Available Dec. 5 exclusively at LoganOlsonPutters.com with a MSRP of $850.

A couple of days ago, TaylorMade announced that they would be partnering with Logan Olson. Together, they will develop a Tour Matrix fitting program for TaylorMade tour professionals. Being familiar with Olson’s work, I am excited about the collaboration. Those of you not familiar with Olson’s putters may not be as excited.

Today we are going to boost your Olson brand knowledge by getting up close and personal with Logan Olson’s latest putter offering: the Craft Batch No.3.

Once you see Olson’s fresh spin on the classic blade design, you’ll better understand why the pairing of Olson’s vision with TaylorMade’s resources is going to be a big deal.

Specifications: Logan Olson Craft Batch No. 3 Putter

Material: 303 stainless steelConstruction: CNC-milledFinish: Satin silica blastFace: Horizontal groove millingNeck: flumber’s neckToe Hang: ~5:00Offset: One shaftLoft: 2.5°Lie: 70°Weight: 338 gramsShaft: KBS CT Chrome putter shaftGrip: Gripmaster leather or Golf Pride Pro Only Red StarMSRP: $850

Isn’t the Craft Batch No. 3 just another Anser?

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The cynic may glance at these photos and dismiss the Craft Batch No. 3 as yet another Anser copy. That would be a mistake. There is no question there are Anser bones in this beast but the way Olson has manipulated the metal is anything but the same-old, same-old.

The Flumber’s Neck

As the name implies, the flumber’s neck is a combination of a flow neck and a plumber’s neck. The flumber’s neck has a full-shaft offset and a 90-degree bend at the top like a plumber’s neck paired with the smooth contours and transitions of a flow neck.

Outside of Bryson DeChambeau’s meteoric rise in YouTube golf, we haven’t seen many notable pros get involved on the platform beyond guest appearances.

Now it looks like a legendary golfer is getting in the mix.

Phil Mickelson—six-time major champion and a lightning rod for controversy surrounding LIV Golf—announced a challenge series with Grant Horvat, the rising YouTube golf star. The two are going to play as a team against a variety of competition starting this January. The announcement came in the form of a Step Brothers-inspired video released on Instagram last week after Horvat had been teasing “the biggest announcement of his career” leading up to that.

Mickelson and Horvat have played a couple of matches in 2024. The first match came online in July as Horvat shot 3-under on the back nine at Rancho Santa Fe Country Club to beat Mickelson who had started with a five-stroke deficit at his home club. As punishment for the loss, Mickelson agreed to wear joggers each round at the Open Championship.

Is left-handed golf really that different from right-handed golf? Some would argue the differences are significant, while others believe that once you’re off the tee, it’s not all that different. There are pros and cons to being a left-handed golfer and a few strategies to help you play your best. While less than 10% of golfers are left-handed, you’re part of a unique group—one that everyone remembers, so you’ve got that going for you!

Equipment Availability: The Good and Bad

The bad news for lefty golfers is that left-handed golf equipment can be more difficult to find than right-handed equipment. Depending on the club’s model, some companies won’t even make clubheads for lefties.

Mizuno had a reputation for not having players irons for left-handed golfers. In their new releases, like the Mizuno Pro 245, left-handed irons are available in 4-GW. Right-handed golfers have the option for 2-GW. It’s progress.

It’s harder for a left-handed golfer to walk into a shop expecting they have what you need. However, custom fitters should carry a wide range of left-handed equipment.

Here’s the good news.

How to watch the 2024 Hero World Challenge on Thursday, including full Thursday TV coverage and streaming info for Round 1 in the Bahamas.

The post 2024 Hero World Challenge Thursday TV coverage, streaming: How to watch Round 1 appeared first on Golf.

Here’s how our staffers would spend $1,000 on GOLF’s Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S. list. Picks include Pinehurst and Pasatiempo.

The post How our staffers would spend $1,000 on GOLF’s Top 100 Courses You Can Play appeared first on Golf.

In the wake of wrist surgery, Jordan Spieth is feeling good about both his health and his swing, he said earlier this week.

The post After wrist surgery, Jordan Spieth finally sounds healthy again appeared first on Golf.

In today's edition of Play Smart, elite mid-amateur Drew Stoltz explains how he prepares for chipping from different types of grasses.

The post Learn how to chip from different grass types by doing this appeared first on Golf.