Golfing News & Blog Articles

Stay up-to-date on golfing news, products, and trends from around the world.

We Tried It: The Best of 2022’s Reviews

There is a lot of cool gear in the golf 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.

Not always does every item in the game receive the objective, in-depth review it deserves. Without a doubt, some are better than others. That’s why it’s our mission to give you the inside scoop on just about everything on the market—good and bad.

So, as a year-end bonus for you, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite reviews from our 2022 We Tried It series.

Technology and Tools

GARMIN R10

A lot of golfers don’t have a clue about how far they hit their clubs. The Garmin R10 golf launch monitor provides 14 different data metrics, even with its small Doppler radar. With more than 42,000 virtual courses, tournaments and prizes available, the R10 quickly became a buzz item.

We put it to the test. Check out the results below.















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2023 NCGA Rules Seminars and On-Course Seminars

 

The post 2023 NCGA Rules Seminars and On-Course Seminars appeared first on Northern California Golf Association.

We Tried It: adidas S2G BOA Wide Spikeless Golf Shoes

There is a lot of cool gear in the golf world that doesn’t always fit 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

adidas S2G BOA Wide spikeless golf shoes

Your “Thick Kick” Tester

Dave Wolfe– Though I talk mostly about putters, I also have feet so wide that they would spill over the edges of Clementine’s herring boxes, without topses.

Welcome to Dave’s Stout Shoe Search

Some of you are decidedly average, at least in terms of shape. Don’t feel bad about that—apparel companies love you! You and your average cohort are the money-making target market. They make gear for the majority. If your body plan hits the middle of the bell curve, you’ll have all kinds of choices when to comes to golf gear, be it hats, jackets or shoes.












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LA Golf Ball – An Early Look

Last month, LA Golf began shipping “prototype” samples of its upcoming golf ball. We put “prototype” in quotation marks because golf brands of all sizes have, at one time or another, used the description to drum up interest in a finalized but yet to released product.

Given the lead time to produce something like a golf ball and the industry’s preference for launching new products in early January, my hunch is that what you see is what you’re going to get.

Thus far, LA Golf has kept details of its ball under wraps. We don’t know how the company will position the ball, what performance claims will be made or how much it’s going to sell for.

LA Golf’s other products, namely shafts and putters, offer bold performance claims with premium prices so it would be a deviation from the business model if the ball didn’t command a premium price.

a closeup of the LA golf ball
a photo of the LA Golf ball
a photo showing the core of LA Golf ball and its four piece construction
the LA Golf ball "prototype" inside the MyGolfSpy compression gauge
2 sleeves of LA golf balls in front of a golf ball compression tester
a closeup of the LA golf ball golf ball sleeve
the sidestamp of the LA Golf ball features the zip code of Beverely Hills, 90210
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Whitworth, winningest golfer ever, dies at 83

Kathy Whitworth, whose 88 career victories are the most by any player on a single professional golf tour, has died at the age of 83.

PuttOUT x MyGolfSpy GIVEAWAY

Winter means one thing: indoor practice!

Welcome to Day 2 of MyGolfSpy’s Countdown to Christmas where we offer holiday giveaways every day until Christmas!

Today, we’ve teamed up with PuttOUT Golf to give away their latest training aid, the Devil Ball.

We Tried It a little while back and not only is it addicting but it’s worth spending some time with at the office, at home or anywhere you can roll a few.

ENTER HERE

PuttOut
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Japanese Golf Clubs: Just Collector’s Items?

Several months ago, I posed the question: “Where did all the Japanese golf brands go?”

Part of the answer assumes a North America-centric viewpoint. And though brands like Yonex, Yamaha, Vega, FourteenONOFFPRGR and Honma have largely vanished from the U.S. landscape, they’re not extinct. Well, not entirely.

That said, if I consult my crystal ball, it portends a bleak outlook, at best.

So You’re Saying There’s A Chance?

Sort of. But it begs a deeper dive into two important topics.

First is a discussion regarding the prototypical JDM (Japanese domestic market) consumer. Second, we must assess how the global equipment market has changed over the last decade and what that might mean for JDM brands moving forward.

Japanese Golf Clubs
Japanese Golf Clubs
Japanese Golf Clubs
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Major(s) News & Notes, December 22, 2022

I think I should outlaw any attempt made by architect or inventor to deprive the game of any of its various strokes, or to take from it any of those features which require skill in the play. ROBERT HUNTER

Solution for the Worst Miss in Golf

We all have a love hate relationship with golf. When its good, we love it. When it’s bad, it can be very frustrating. Burning the side of a hole with a missed putt is only costing you 1 stroke. A poor drive results in losing some easy distance. But a missed chip from 10 to 40 feet is so much more frustrating because its such an easy shot. After your miss, you tighten up and your next attempt is fat or bladed across the green. Then your blood begins to boil as you add-on 3 more strokes putting. Wouldn’t is be nice to make every chip for a 1 putt green?

You need an easy solution for perfect chip shots to limit your putts around the green. Mr. Short Game on a recent GolfersRx blog reminded us to “take your hands out of the swing”. Limiting your hand action is the perfect solution for consistent chips.

He reminded us to chip exactly the way Steve Stricker and Jason Day chip.

-Let your limited hip and shoulder rotation take care of the speed and power of your swing.

-Start with a narrow stance

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NCGA Spotlight: December 22, 2022

 

The post NCGA Spotlight: December 22, 2022 appeared first on Northern California Golf Association.

First Look: Three New TaylorMade Spider GT Putter Models

TaylorMade adds three new models to the Spider GT mallet putter line.These new models feature new hosels including center-shafted hosel and a return of the Truss hosel.Only available online at TaylorMadeGolf.com with a MSRP of $349.99

TaylorMade’s Stealthy Spider GT Release

Did you know TaylorMade recently added three new models to their popular Spider GT putter line? It’s all right if you answered “no.”  In fact, these three new Spiders released with such minimal fanfare that most people don’t know they exist.

Perhaps TaylorMade didn’t promote these putters as extensively as usual since they are only available online at the TaylorMade site. Maybe the United States was not the target market since two of the putters are listed as “Japan Issue.” Thankfully, they are still available for purchase online in the United States.

Ultimately, the reason for their subtle roll-out is immaterial. The good news is that I can share these new Spider GT putters with you today. Truth be told, they are interesting takes on the Spider GT. One has a neck that will be immediately popular with some of you and the other two Spiders revive some almost forgotten 2020 TaylorMade putter technology.

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Goatlane Grant Horvat Collection

Swedish golf sneaker brand Goatlane announces the release of the Grant Horvat Collection.The Grant Horvat Collection consists of three limited-run golf shoes.The first pair will be available for purchase on Dec. 26 and is limited to 350 pairs.Retail price is $240.

On Monday, Dec 26, Goatlane is releasing the first of three shoes in the Grant Horvat Collection. The sneaker is dressed in premium white grain calf leather and features a spikeless golf outsole. All Goatlane golf shoes are designed in partnership with PGA TOUR golfer Henrik Norlander. The remaining two pieces of the collection are set to release in the first half of 2023.

Goatlane? Never heard of her.

Unless you’re deep in the golf influencer scene, there’s a good chance you haven’t heard of Goatlane. The Swedish D2C golf sneaker brand calls itself “disruptive” and has made its mission to blend Tour-level performance with street fashion. Goatlane intentionally describes itself this way in the hope that the modern look draws the consumer in but the professional-level performance keeps them around.

While still a relatively “new” brand (founded in 2020), Goatlane has an impressive stable of talented influencers and ambassadors including Mac Boucher, Henrik Norlander and Grant Horvat.

About Grant Horvat

Grant Horvat is still fairly synonymous with GoodGood (despite recently parting ways with the brand) but the rising social media influencer is kick-starting his solo career with the launch of his signature Goatlane shoe. Horvat, who hails from Florida, grew up on the green under the direction of his father, a long-time PGA teaching professional.

A Peek Behind the Curtain

Goatlane golf sneakers look pretty slick but you’re probably wondering the same thing I am: Are there any brains behind those beautiful, soft leather curves? Let’s break it down.

Goatlane Grant Horvat Collection
Grant Horvat
Grant Horvat Goatlane
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Syncagraphite Zinger Shaft

Introducing the ZINGER by SYNCAGRAPHITE.

Do you know who Syncagraphite is? It’s an actual shaft factory with the most experienced shaft-making staff in the world. I’m talking about 45+ years of experience with Hashimoto-san alone; she is ( 80 years old ) and the same for Takahashi-san. ( 70 years old ) then their other staff is around 25 years and 15 years of hand shaft rolling. It’s impressive and unlike any other shaft company. The largest shaft brands do not have the quality control or hand-rolling skills… not even close. I’ve been to many shaft factories, and by far, Syncagraphite is the most impressive in terms of knowledge and QC. To learn more about the brand, please review our blog posts Introducing the brand in 2016. Click Here & Click Here.

Many have heard of Autoflex, right? Korea Hidden Technology? Basically, it’s a uni-flex shaft in a soft flex made of average prepreg. It was made famous on YouTube by some excellent fitters, yet know very little about shaft manufacturing and design. We sell a lot of these Autoflex shafts; when it comes to client feedback, about 50% do not get along with it well, 30% say its as good as any other shaft on the market yet softer, while only 20% get those considerable distance gains you may hear about. Within the shaft industry, there is no secret. It’s a uni-flex shaft and targets all golfers; it’s soft, maybe too soft. In general, most golfers benefit from playing a softer shaft, and some had solid gains with Autoflex. That’s the Korean secret, Actually, this is the exact reason why so many love Ryoma’s Beyond Power shafts; they are uni-flex and soft with a stiffer tip.

Now let’s talk about the SYNCAGRAPHITE ZINGER! While auto flex caters to everyone, the ZINGER caters to mid to low-handicap players. While the ZINGER is soft when you waggle it, when you swing it, you can feel it stiffen near impact. It really is something different.

The zingers attributes are unlike any other shaft we have tested, It helps everyone, and for a player like me who comes over the top, it aids by delaying casting, which creates a sensation of delay during the swing. It produces load for those who have a limited amount of it. At impact, it does not feel soft at all, and you can feel it tighten.





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Masters criteria allow LIV golfers to play in '23

Any golfer who has qualified for the Masters based on previous criteria will be invited in 2023, including at least 16 currently on the LIV Tour.

TESTED – DOES RUST ADD SPIN?

This has been puzzling golfers for years. 

Even as 2023 approaches, golfers remain fixated, as they have for years past, on the theory that rust adds spin.

A few months back, our #AskMyGolfSpy series included a segment on rust to educate the consumer on rust and whether it adds spin.

Here’s an early Christmas present: Eight out of eight manufacturers confirm that rust does NOT add spin.

But, as is our mandate, our curiosity and data-driven mindset demanded we find out for ourselves.

Raw Wedge

Spin




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Discussing Donald Ross With Brad Becken

Often, the very highest recommendation of a bunker is when it is criticized. That shows that it is accomplishing the one thing for which it was built: It is making players think. How often do we hear players criticize a bunker that is placed for a carry as being an unfair one if they cannot carry it?
DONALD ROSS

Vijay Singh, son Qass finally win PNC in 16th try

Vijay Singh and his son Qass finally cashed in on their 16th try at the PNC Championship, winning by two shots over John Daly and his son.

TESTERS WANTED – Cobalt Q6 Rangefinders

Want to test a Cobalt Q6 rangefinder?

Welcome to Testers Wanted where we recruit readers like you for objective feedback on products that roll into HQ throughout the year!

Cobalt Q6 Rangefinder Details

Cobalt might not be the first name you think of when it comes to golf rangefinders. But the brand has been in business for 25 years and claims they ” pioneered the technology trusted by tour players across the globe.”

Ultimately, golfers want a rangefinder that is accurate, optically sound, easy to use and hard to lose. Cobalt believes its direct-to-consumer platform gives golfers more bang for the buck and its lifetime warranty never requires a receipt.

However, guarantees are only as good as the product they cover. This is where we need your help.

Cobalt Q6 Rangefinders
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Hobbled Woods, son two back of Team Thomas

Tiger Woods and 13-year-old son Charlie finished with a 13-under 59 at the PNC Championship despite dealing with a bad foot and a bum ankle.

Sources: LIV Golf COO resigns after one year

LIV Golf chief operating officer Atul Khosla has resigned after one year as the Saudi-backed rival circuit moves toward a league format, The New York Times reported and sources confirmed to ESPN's Mark Schlabach.


GolfLynk.com