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Major(s) News & Notes, September 12, 2024

A big golf viewing weekend ahead that can't be sullied by latest PGA Tour/LIV debacle. Plus, Rahm's Ryder mess, R&A Financials, McIlroy on architecture, This, That and a lot of good Reads.

Rahm eyes World Tour to stay Ryder Cup-eligible

Jon Rahm said he intends to play in three DP World Tour events by the end of the season to remain eligible for next year's Ryder Cup.

Snedeker replaces Bradley as Prez Cup assistant

Brandt Snedeker is replacing Keegan Bradley as a captain's assistant for this month's Presidents Cup in Montreal.

How TaylorMade’s Golf Ball Gamble Paid Off

To understand where TaylorMade’s golf ball business is today and how it got here, we need to go back nearly 10 years.

In the early twenty-teens, TaylorMade was very much a metalwoods-first company. The driver was the thing that mattered. Irons were next on the priority list. Everything else came third, which is to say that often it felt like the other categories – wedges, putters, and the golf ball – didn’t matter much at all.

None of that other stuff was critical to the brand identity and when TaylorMade wasn’t the market leader, or even among the leaders in those categories, nobody at TaylorMade seemed to care.

But, as 2015 rolled around, TaylorMade found itself in a bit of post RocketBallz slump. Over the course of little more than a year, the company frenetically released RocketBallz Stage 2, R1, R1 Black, SLDR, JetSpeed and the infinitely forgettable SLDR S.

Long-time CEO Mark King was gone, as was his not-so-long-time successor, Ben Sharpe. David Abeles, TaylorMade’s third CEO in roughly six months, was brought in to steady the ship.


The first (2017) TaylorMade TP5
The 2019 TP5 is arguably one of the best golf balls ever made.
2021 TP5
2021 TP5



The 2024 TP5
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Olukai Finally Made a Serious Golf Shoe

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.

What We Tried:

The Olukai Mākena golf shoe, the latest golf-focused footwear offering from my favorite sandals brand. Yes, it’s OK to have a favorite sandals brand. You’ve got to let the dawgs breath, ya feel?

Who Tried It:

Connor. Director of Content and resident sneakerhead. I’ve tried some of Olukai’s other golf shoe offerings and have never been too impressed. The Mākena has me excited and hesitant.

Meet Mākena

According to Olukai, “mākena” translates to many, numerous; often, much.

If the name is any indication of how frequently I’ll be grabbing this pair over the numerous others in my overflowing golf shoe closet, then that’s a good sign.





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Can We Stop Forcing These Made-for-TV Matches?

This week, golf as an entertainment product will hit one of its lowest points.

It takes an unimaginably bad idea to get into this category when you consider that the PGA Tour and LIV have evolved into something of a black hole over the past couple years.

What I’m referencing is yet another made-for-TV match that is among the more pathetic attempts at attracting eyeballs: record producer DJ Khaled playing late-night TV host Jimmy Fallon in a four-hole match.

The match is being dubbed “The Cardigan Classic” and, regrettably, will be aired on NBC this Friday, Sept. 13, at 11:35 p.m. Eastern time. It is being presented by a car brand which I refuse to name. Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, host of the American Century Championship, is the battleground.

The Friday the 13th match should satisfy horror enthusiasts as two 20-handicap golfers hack it around Lake Tahoe. Fallon jokingly called it “possibly the most intense athletic competition to ever air on television”—and Khaled might actually feel that way based on a misunderstanding in a recent made-for-TV match he didn’t play.

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MyGolfSpy Random WITB: Volume 3

Each week, we continue to highlight a WITB (What’s In The Bag) from a MyGolfSpy Forum member. If you have an interesting bag setup or want to be featured, share your WITB in the Forum thread.

This week, we feature poprocksncoke, who has a mix of classic and modern gear in his bag. His selection of clubs shows a preference for tried-and-true equipment, with some newer additions influenced by the MyGolfSpy community.

Let’s take a look inside his bag:

Driver: Taylormade SLDR

About the club: Several years ago, poprocksncoke switched to the SLDR after trying a playing partner’s club and deciding it was a better fit than his previous Taylormade R11s. Originally equipped with an Oban Kiyoshi HB shaft, he recently switched to a Fujikura Ventus Velocore+ Red shaft, following feedback from a MyGolfSpy member review thread. The change has provided a higher ball flight, which has been a welcome adjustment.

3-Wood: Taylormade R11s

About the club: This club was a Christmas gift from his wife after he borrowed his dad’s R11s 3-wood. The club has stayed in his bag ever since, proving its reliability over the years.








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Procore Championship betting guide: 5 picks our gambling expert loves

The Procore Championship begins on Thursday in Napa, Calif. Here are 5 players our expert loves — and why he thinks you should too.

The post Procore Championship betting guide: 5 picks our gambling expert loves appeared first on Golf.

WATCH: Adam Scott on being 'boring,' Masters nerves and blocking out Tigermania

Adam Scott joins The Scoop to discuss his "vanilla" personality, what makes him nervous and what playing with peak Tiger Woods was like.

The post WATCH: Adam Scott on being ‘boring,’ Masters nerves and blocking out Tigermania appeared first on Golf.

Former NFL QB Tony Romo to make another run at PGA Tour qualifying

Former Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo is among the entrants for the pre-qualifying stage of PGA Tour Q-School.

The post Former NFL QB Tony Romo to make another run at PGA Tour qualifying appeared first on Golf.

Lexi Thompson shares her 4 driving keys

At GOLF's cover shoot with 7-time U.S. Solheim Cup team member Lexi Thompson, she shared her personal keys for approaching every tee shot.

The post Lexi Thompson shares her 4 driving keys appeared first on Golf.

How to Play Smart Golf

Playing smart golf involves more than just having a good swing; it’s about strategic thinking, course management, and mental discipline. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to play smart golf:

1. Develop a Strategic Game Plan

  • Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Understand your strengths, such as driving accuracy or putting, and use them to your advantage. Identify areas that need improvement and work on them.

  • Course Management: Study the layout of the course before you play. Note hazards, pin placements, and the best areas to land your shots. Plan your strategy for each hole based on your strengths and the course's layout.

  • Play to Your Capabilities: Avoid taking unnecessary risks. Choose shots and clubs that fit your skill level and comfort zone. For example, if you’re not confident with a driver, consider using a fairway wood or hybrid.

2. Master the Basics

  • Focus on Fundamentals: Ensure you have a solid grip, stance, and alignment. Work on maintaining consistency in your swing mechanics to build a reliable game.

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Sources: PGA Tour, PIF meeting in New York

PGA Tour officials, including 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, are meeting with representatives from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in New York on Tuesday.

2024 Procore Championship: How to watch, TV coverage, streaming info, tee times

How to watch the 2024 Procore Championship at Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif., including full Procore Championship TV and streaming info.

The post 2024 Procore Championship: How to watch, TV coverage, streaming info, tee times appeared first on Golf.

Jason Day's Augusta-banned sweater raises big money at charity auction

Jason Day took an unfortunate incident involving a "busy" sweater at Augusta National and turned it into big money for charity.

The post Jason Day’s Augusta-banned sweater raises big money at charity auction appeared first on Golf.

Golf It! Demonstrates The Sport As A Community Asset

The R&A's use of Open proceeds to revitalize Lethamhill provides a refreshing gift to Glasgow by reimagining the importance and versatility of a golf course facility.

Hostile Solheim Cup crowds? Charley Hull says bring 'em on

Charley Hull opens up on her Solheim Cup dreams, why she was "gutted" the first time she made the team, why she's off social media and more.

The post Hostile Solheim Cup crowds? Charley Hull says bring ’em on appeared first on Golf.

Michael Jordan is a member, and 8 other things to know about Solheim Cup site

Michael Jordan is one of many prominent members at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, in Virginia, where the Solheim Cup will play out this week.

The post Michael Jordan is a member, and 8 other things to know about Solheim Cup site appeared first on Golf.

Solheim Cup rosters, records: Meet the U.S., European teams

The 2024 Solheim Cup begins this week in Gainesville, Va. Here are the U.S. and European rosters, records and bios.

The post Solheim Cup rosters, records: Meet the U.S., European teams appeared first on Golf.

Solheim Cup 2024: How do the stats for each team stack up?

In preparation for the 2024 Solheim Cup, we paired bits with bobs as the best women pros from the States try (again) to retake the Cup.

The post Solheim Cup 2024: How do the stats for each team stack up? appeared first on Golf.


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