Golfing News & Blog Articles

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

Sony Open Finish Highlights What We Should See More Often In Big Time Golf

The task confronting the architect is to provide a scene of action that adapts itself to the play of each player impartially. It will be necessary briefly to consider how all the different classes of players are affected and to what extent their claims must inevitably influence the architect. TOM SIMPSON

/ Geoff Shackelford

Hideki Matsuyama's tactical decision and a go-for-the-green 3-wood shows what can make pro golf genuinely thrilling. Gosh it’s fun when to see a player go for a par-5 in two with a wood!

The latest Quad is free for all to read because this is not about a major and I know there are Cowboys fans across the globe grieving today.


Today In Golf's Drive To Survive: Players Will Not Be Paid And Irish Times Columnist Asks If The Netflix People Have Ever Met A PGA Tour Golfer

The task confronting the architect is to provide a scene of action that adapts itself to the play of each player impartially. It will be necessary briefly to consider how all the different classes of players are affected and to what extent their claims must inevitably influence the architect. TOM SIMPSON

/ Geoff Shackelford

While we’re a year away from the as yet-unnamed Netflix show tracking the lives of PGA Tour golfers, a few notes, observations and a dissenting view from Ireland:

The millennial jubilation over this show’s potential appears based in large part on a key detail from Dylan Dethier’s Golf.com story: a lack of PGA Tour editorial control. Which does make one wonder if there has been any Global Home introspection over just how much joy this gave the only demographic they care about until Gen Z is about to become the obsession?

Last week as the names agreeing to appear in the PGA Tour’s Netflix were promoted heavily, I Tweeted that World No. 1 amateur Keita Nakajima’s participation must mean he’s taking advantage of looser USGA/R&A amateur status rules. The answer is no. I heard from a few people directly associated with the project that no player, as far as they know, is going to be compensated for their participation. (Rickie Fowler’s production company is involved so presumably he will see financial reward for his participation.) Given Netflix’s annual spend on content creation—$17 billion in 2021—it’s a bit surprising there nothing, you know, for the effort.

Malachy Clerkin of the Irish Times penned a column wondering if the folks at Netflix have “ever met a PGA Tour golfer”, his very nice way of suggesting the sport doesn’t lend itself to producing charisma. A much more diplomatic case is made than say, Walter Simpson’s belief that the more “fatuously vacant the mind is, the better for play. It has been observed that absolute idiots play the steadiest.”


Continue reading

Srixon Z-STAR DIVIDE Golf Balls

Srixon Z-STAR DIVIDE – Key Takeaways

Srixon’s Tour-level Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV get the two-color DIVIDE treatment.$44.99 per dozenAvailable Jan. 21

The new Srixon Z-STAR DIVIDE yellow/white golf balls beg one simple and obvious question.

Why?

Fortunately, there’s a simple and obvious answer to that simple and obvious question.

Why the hell not?

I’m sure a bit more went into Srixon’s decision-making than why the hell not? There had to be questions of market potential, unit forecasting, break-even points, new-equipment capital expenditure and amortization, the potential for cannibalizing existing sales versus market share growth and so on. Those are all for the grown-ups to decide.

Srixon Z-STAR DIVIDE
Srixon Z-STAR DIVIDE
Srixon Z-STAR DIVIDE

Srixon Z-STAR DIVIDE





Continue reading

Today In Sportwashing: Bryson Speaks, Andy Murray Says No Way And WSJ's Tough Take On Saudi Arabia

As a sizable herd prepares to descend on Saudi Arabia in a few weeks to cash in and talk league golf with Greg Norman’s pals, there are signs that the Crown Prince’s act is wearing then. Except with autocrat-tolerating pro golfers.

While the potential damage to sportwashing may make those at the Global Home feel better about the likelihood of Saudis failing at disruption, the damage done to the “product” may be just as painful.

Last week Bryson DeChambeau, who has been blowing off press sessions even when he’s endorsed by the tournament sponsor, gladly talked about the Public Investment Fund Saudi International Powered by Softbank Investment Advisers (PIFSIPSIA).

It’s amazing what happens when the fees are paid by folks linked to murder instead of mortgages! From Steve DiMeglio’s item at Golfweek:

“So, not a politician, first off,” he said Thursday in a video conference with the media ahead of next month’s tournament in the Middle East. “I’m a golfer, first and foremost, and I want to play where the best golfers in the world are going to play. And that is the end of the story for me.”

Continue reading

Matsuyama rallies late, wins Sony on playoff eagle

Hideki Matsuyama made up a five-shot deficit on the back nine and then won the Sony Open in a playoff with one of the best shots he never saw, a 3-wood into the sun to 3 feet for an eagle to beat Russell Henley on Sunday.

Task Force Blues: Kisner Calls Cup Selection Process Too Political

It’s not a huge surprise to read of Kevin Kisner’s frustration over getting passed over in recent Cup Captain’s picks. After stellar play in 2017’s Presidents Cup, Kisner seemed like a wise candidate for Paris the following year. Especially given the likelihood of the European’s narrowing landing areas and nullifying long driving. He was passed over for Royal Melbourne’s 2019 Presidents Cup despite being a strong fit for the course and format. And as he continued to emerge as an incredible match play golfer, culminating in a 2019 WGC match play win, his game was seen as less suited to the (ultimately successful) plan for Whistling Straits: bomb’s away!

Either way Kisner’s no Task Force fan based on comments made in the Subpar podcast hosted by Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz.

From Golf.com’s story by James Colgan detailing Kisner’s gripes:

“I don’t know, man. They don’t like me I, guess,” Kisner told GOLF’s Subpar podcast. “I’ve had the same phone call for about four [Ryder Cups] in a row from about every captain. ‘Man, you were on the team and then you didn’t play well in the playoffs.’ OK, bud.”

If match play resume is part of the criteria, Kisner certainly has an argument. In five starts at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, between 2016-2021, he’s 16-6-2, including a victory at the event in 2019.

Continue reading

2022's Major Venues: Ranking The Intrigue Factor

Golf is a pastime of the open air—“a blowing away of mental cobwebs,” runs the famous phrase—and in golf there is, or ought to be, no place for the cheat, the ignoramus, or the opportunist where the rules are concerned. It is impossible to eradicate cheating entirely and there will always be some golfers eager to profit by the letter of the law to the detriment of the spirit. But I believe the great majority of golfers are men and women enjoying the game for the game’s sake and willing to obey both letter and spirit. GEOFFREY COUSINS

Henley shoots 67, owns 2-shot lead at Sony Open

Russell Henley fired a 3-under 67 Saturday at the Sony Open in Hawaii and earned a two-shot lead over Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama with one round to go on the Waialae course in Honolulu.

Twitter Manspat: Murray v. Na, Sony Open Slow Play Edition

Anyone who has been privileged to play such courses as Prestwick, St.Andrews, Dornoch or North Berwick in Scotland cannot forget the joys of tantalizing little hummocks and the golfing appearance they give those courses. Over and over again, my American friends who have played those British courses remark to me on the charming variation one gets in lies on fairways and the shots up to the hole where hummocks exist.
TOM SIMPSON

Henley surges, leads Sony Open by 3 as Na fades

Russell Henley played his final six holes in 6 under and finished with a 63 on Friday to take a three-shot lead in the Sony Open. First-round leader Kevin Na fell seven back.

Bryson On Why He Passed On The Netflix Opportunity

Anyone who has been privileged to play such courses as Prestwick, St.Andrews, Dornoch or North Berwick in Scotland cannot forget the joys of tantalizing little hummocks and the golfing appearance they give those courses. Over and over again, my American friends who have played those British courses remark to me on the charming variation one gets in lies on fairways and the shots up to the hole where hummocks exist.
TOM SIMPSON

Shirtless Shark To Get The 30 For 30 Treatment

Anyone who has been privileged to play such courses as Prestwick, St.Andrews, Dornoch or North Berwick in Scotland cannot forget the joys of tantalizing little hummocks and the golfing appearance they give those courses. Over and over again, my American friends who have played those British courses remark to me on the charming variation one gets in lies on fairways and the shots up to the hole where hummocks exist.
TOM SIMPSON

Mizuno ST-X 220 and ST-X 220 Drivers

For 2022, Mizuno has launched ST-X 220 and ST-Z 220 driversIncreased stability is the emphasis for both modelsRetail price is $449. Availability begins February 3rd

In our story on Mizuno’s new drool-worthy Mizuno Pro Iron lineup, we talked about a new approach at Mizuno. Call it a modernization perhaps or simply the necessary adaptation to the changing nature of golf. Evidenced by that Mizuno Pro, however, is the notion that a newly modern Mizuno isn’t likely do anything radical—no red faces on these drivers.

The release of new ST-Z 220 and ST-X 220 drivers is all about steady progression. Improvement without embellishment—performance with universal appeal that still speaks to the guy who loves Mizuno for what it has always been.

With that in mind, don’t expect the ST-Z 220 and ST-X 220 to be radical departures from what came before them.

Premium Beta Titanium CORETECH Face

a photo of Mizuno ST-X 220 and ST-Z 200 drivers
a face view of the Mizuno ST-X 220 driver

Mizuno ST-220 drivers feature a 20g weight at the rear of the club.


a photo of the Mizuno ST-X 220 driver
a photo of the Mizuno ST-X 220 driver at adddress.
a photo of the sole of the Mizuno ST-Z 220 driver
a view of the Mizuno ST-Z 220 driver at address.





















Continue reading

Mizuno ST-X 220 Fairway Woods and Hybrids

For 2022, Mizuno has launched ST-X 220 fairway woods and hybridsIncreased launch and slight draw bias is the emphasisRetail price is $229 (fairway) $224 (hybrid). Availability begins February 3rd

Mizuno makes historically and quantifiably kick-ass irons. Use any metric you’d like but that’s the case and pretty much everyone gets that.

However, the primary opportunity cost for that success has been an admittedly lackluster line of metalwoods. At least until several generations ago.

One could argue that the 2019 ST 190 driver served as a line of demarcation. At that point, Mizuno acknowledged that the primary barrier to entry is top-end ball speed. Meaning that while a driver might have plenty of wonderful features, nothing can overcome a lack of top-tier ball speed.  In the driver world, speed is currency and Mizuno didn’t have enough disposable income.

Since that point, Mizuno’s renewed focus on fairway woods and hybrids has allowed the brand to take a stance that its entire metalwood line-up is no longer an industry afterthought.














Continue reading

Na matches his career low with 61 at Sony Open

Kevin Na matched his career low with a 9-under 61 on Thursday at the Sony Open.

Fried Egg: Donald Ross's East Lake To Get New Set Of Eyes, Master Plan

The rare combination of head and heart is why no one in golf can reach more people more quickly and with more cooperation than Tim Rosaforte. Along with having the cellphone numbers of hundreds of pros on the men’s and women’s world rankings, Tim has the numbers of their agents, swing coaches, caddies, trainers, parents, spouses, siblings, best friends, college coaches and teammates, etc. Watching Tim work his cell on a Sunday night against a hard deadline would have had Hildy Johnson in awe. JAIME DIAZ

"Looking back to move forward - Britain’s restoration opportunities"

The rare combination of head and heart is why no one in golf can reach more people more quickly and with more cooperation than Tim Rosaforte. Along with having the cellphone numbers of hundreds of pros on the men’s and women’s world rankings, Tim has the numbers of their agents, swing coaches, caddies, trainers, parents, spouses, siblings, best friends, college coaches and teammates, etc. Watching Tim work his cell on a Sunday night against a hard deadline would have had Hildy Johnson in awe. JAIME DIAZ

STUDY: Percentage of Public Versus Private Courses in the U.S.

Where do you play golf most often? Private courses or the local tracks?

As the number suggests, golf is, at its core, still a game played by recreational golfers on public courses. According to the National Golf Foundation, in 2020, there were roughly 16,100 courses at 14,100 facilities in the U.S. Of that total, 75 percent are open to the public: 2,500 municipal and 7,900 daily-fee. That leaves approximately 4,025 courses labeled as private.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Municipal courses are owned by a city or other municipality. In general, so-called “munis” tend to be the most economically efficient option though costs can vary based on your official address of residence. Some noteworthy examples: Bethpage State Park in New York (Black Course) and Torrey Pines (San Diego).

Daily-fee courses accept public play but are generally privately owned. So long as you’re willing to pay the fee and can claim a spot on the tee sheet, you’re in like Flynn. Notable examples: Bandon Dunes, Pebble Beach.

Private courses require a membership which often includes an up-front initiation fee and monthly/annual dues. If you don’t belong to a private course, members can typically invite guests, though more exclusive courses tend to limit access to non-members. Notable examples: Augusta National, Pine Valley and the really nice country club you’re trying to justify joining this year.

TheGrint - Public vs. Private






Continue reading

GolfLynk.com