Golfing News & Blog Articles

Golf is constantly changing. Thanks to the USGA’s 2024 Golf Scorecard, we now have a detailed report of what those changes look like at the recreational level. The new USGA annual report pulls data from 77 million scores posted in 2024 under the World Handicap System (WHS). We can pull information from that about trends, player habits and more. The insights show how the game evolved in 2024 and hint at what’s coming in 2025. Here are some of the biggest trends to keep an eye on.

The nine-holers are taking over

In 2024, nine-hole scores continued to rise, with an almost 10-percent increase since 2023 and a 40-percent increase since 2020. If you haven’t already jumped on board with a nine-hole league or twilight event, you’ll probably see even more opportunities in 2025.  

More golfers are tracking scores

More than 3.35 million golfers in the U.S. maintained a handicap index in 2024, nearly a 30-percent increase since 2020. You can’t improve your game unless you measure it and that concept seems to be better understood by more amateur golfers. Another great thing about more scores being posted is that we have more data to learn about the golf population as a whole.

New golfers are embracing the nine-hole concept

Women who are new to the game play more than half their golf as nine-hole rounds. For men, this number is just over a quarter. New players are learning the game in a more beginner-friendly way and easing their way into the 18-hole concept. Golf courses are encouraging nine-hole participation in a way that attracts new players.

Short courses are having a moment

Last year, more than 350 short courses became eligible for official course ratings. In 2024, more than 180,000 scores were posted for short courses.

While Sports Brands Inc. isn’t exactly a household name (not even in golf households), many of the brands under its corporate umbrella were, and maybe still are. And if not, the hope is they will be again.

The mission of Simon Millington’s Sports Brands Inc. is Rebuilding Golf’s Iconic Brands.

The portfolio includes once forgotten but now revived brands like Ram, MacGregor, Zebra, and the perseverant Ben Hogan brand.

In February, Hogan launched new Legend and FT Worth irons. It would seem that was just the beginning. A new entry on the USGA’s conforming clubs list suggests that metalwoods, and specifically, two new drivers, are on the way as well.

2 Ben Hogan Drivers

Even the smallest brands need more than one driver model these days. That makes sense given that fitting is on the verge of surpassing technology as the biggest opportunity for golfers to gain performance.

Harris English won the Farmer’s Insurance Open in January. It was his first win since 2021 but his fifth individual title. Since turning professional in 2011, he has played in 342 events. English carries PING clubs from the driver to the putter. However, the most interesting thing about his WITB is the clubs he hasn’t upgraded in quite a while.

Harris English golf bag (March 2025): At a glance

Harris English is a PING staff player who uses a Titleist golf ball.

Driver: PING G430 LST

The PING G430 LST driver has been around for a few years. It was officially released to the public in January 2023. We included it in our 2023 Best Golf Driver test and found it struggled with forgiveness, mostly due to the lower spin.

For most amateur players, the PING G430 MAX 10K is the better choice. It won the Best Golf Driver of 2024 and came in second in the 2025 testing. If you are new to PING drivers, it’s a good starting point. The LST is for higher swing-speed players who want to keep spin rates down.

Fairway wood: PING G400

If you thought English’s driver was old, look at his fairway wood. The PING G400 3-wood was originally released in 2017. We are noticing more professionals leaving fairway woods in the bag for years. They find something they like and stick with it. (A lesson for us all?)

GOLF's editors discuss Keegan Bradley's strong play against the specter of the Ryder Cup, and preview the forthcoming Players Championship.

The post Tour Confidential: Players Championship preview, Keegan Bradley’s dilemma appeared first on Golf.

Golf fans were outraged at NBC after the network only caught a snippet of Russell Henley's tournament-deciding chip-in live.

The post What caused NBC’s tournament-deciding commercial gaffe at Bay Hill appeared first on Golf.

Hill takes the Joburg Open, Garcia wins in Hong Kong, Wong is major bound after capturing the WAAP, and Trump Turnberry is vandalized.

Russell Henley, who trailed Collin Morikawa by three with five holes to play, took the lead with a chip-in eagle on No. 16 and won the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Steven Alker won the Cologuard Classic on Sunday for his ninth PGA Tour Champions title, beating Long Island club pro Jason Caron with a 12-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff at La Paloma Country Club.

Keegan Bradley is the U.S. Ryder Cup captain. But a brilliant week at the Arnold Palmer reminded us that status might be in question.

The post Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup conundrum is getting more complicated appeared first on Golf.

Russell Henley holed a dramatic chip on the 70th hole to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Take a look at his whole bag of Titleist gear.

The post What clubs does Arnold Palmer winner Russell Henley play? Winner’s bag appeared first on Golf.

What better way to end a two-and-a-half-year victory drought than by holing out for an eagle on the 16th hole on Sunday?

Russell Henley held off Collin Morikawa to secure his fifth PGA Tour victory, winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Henley earned his largest winner’s check yet, but his most memorable reward may be when his three kids raced onto the 18th green to congratulate him.

It also puts him in prime contention to make the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

Here’s a look at the full payout for the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Arnold Palmer Invitational Prize Money Payout

Top Photo Caption: Russell Henley captured the biggest win of his career Sunday. (GETTY IMAGES/Richard Heathcote)

Karl Vilips played his best golf down the stretch Sunday for an 8-under 64 to win the Puerto Rico Open, his first PGA Tour victory in just his third start as a pro.

PGA Tour rookie Karl Vilips picked up his first PGA Tour win at the Puerto Rico Open. Take a look at his whole bag of TaylorMade gear.

The post What clubs does Puerto Rico Open winner Karl Vilips play? Winner’s bag appeared first on Golf.

Russell Henley chipped in for eagle on the 16th hole to steal the Arnold Palmer Invitational trophy away from Collin Morikawa.

The post Russell Henley steals Arnold Palmer Invitational title from Collin Morikawa appeared first on Golf.

Here's who much everyone made at the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational, which is a $20 million purse with $4 million going to the winner.

The post 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational money: How much every player made appeared first on Golf.