Golfing News & Blog Articles

If you are on a mission to lower your handicap, tracking your current golf game is one of the best ways to start. When you track, you collect data and gain valuable insights into your strengths and weaknesses.

Players often look for extra yards in a driver or more spin in a wedge when, in reality, their approach shot with the 7-iron or putting from five feet is their weakest link. That’s where Strokes Gained stat tracking comes in. Let’s look at traditional stat tracking versus Strokes Gained and help you decide which is best for your game.

Traditional stat tracking versus Strokes Gained

Traditional stat tracking includes these key components.

Fairways hitGreens in regulationPutts per hole/roundScrambling (bunker saves, up-and-downs, etc.)

These stats are easy to track by simply making a quick note on your scorecard. The problem is that they lack depth and context. You may three-putt several greens but your putts were more than 50 feet each at the start. Your stats would show a problem with putting when, in reality, your approach shots are pretty far from the hole.

Strokes Gained is a more advanced metric. With Strokes Gained, your performance on every shot is compared to the average performance of other golfers.

Fresh wedge grooves can make the difference between sticking an approach close to the pin for a tap in or rolling past the hole and needing to sink a long putt. When the recommendation to replace wedges is after 75 rounds, cost can add up quickly. Today’s deal saves you money on one of the best wedges we tested in 2023.

Save $40 on the Taylormade Hi-Toe 3 wedge at Golf Galaxy.

Why We Love the Hi-Toe 3

Milled design maximizes consistencyTaller in the toe area (66mm) engineered to create better spin and launch resultsMultiple sole options for fitting include standard, low and high bounce

Scroing a 9.4/10 in our 2023 wedge testing, the TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 is a great option to refresh the worn grooves on your old wedges. Take advantage of this deal today!

The post This Wedge Was Among The Best in 2023… and it’s on Sale! appeared first on MyGolfSpy.

It's time for the 2024 FedEx Cup playoffs! Check out PGA Tour information on events, dates, rules, and more now.

When you understand that there are 2 arcs in every golf swing and low points in each arc, you will have a better chance to control direction and shape for every shot. This may sound a little confusing, but your club is swinging with a Target-Arc up your target line as well as a Body-Arc wrapping around your body. Its your job to sort out what is happening with the position of YOUR body at the Low Point with each arc on every swing. Use your practice swing to determine your low point before you move forward to your ball. First we are looking at iron swings.

Target-Arc (swinging up your target line)
Danny Maude was the inspiration for this blog as he described the bottom of the swing arc as either FORWARD, CENTERED or BEFORE the ball:
-FORWARD is typical for High Handicappers who bottom the arc 1 to 4 inches beyond the ball.
-CENTERED for Low Handicap Players bottoming the arc at the ball position.
-BEFORE for Professionals who bottom their arc 1 to 4 inches before impact.

Recommendation: If your body is out of sync with your Target-Arc, setup with your leading knee slightly bent to ensure that the bottom of your swing arc happens before you impact your ball to compress it before you take any divot.

Body-Arc (swinging around your body)
Right handed players impacting the ball before the low point, will push the ball to the right. Impacting it after the low point will pull the ball to the left. A closed or open face at the point of impact will add more motion to a draw or a fade and turn them into a hook or a slice.

The bottom of your arc is normally below your leading armpit so you can’t afford to allow your body to sway back during your backswing and freeze-up in that position during your downswing. That’s why you need a consistent tempo throughout your swing so that your body can recover with your follow-through.

If you're struggling with how to aim in golf, GOLF Top 100 Teacher Jim Murphy gives some on-course tips that can instantly improve your game.

The post This on-course hack will improve your aim and alignment, says top teacher appeared first on Golf.

Viktor Hovland said he's struggling ahead of this week's FedEx St. Jude Championship. And sometimes golf is "just not that fun."

The post Viktor Hovland says he’s struggling. And sometimes golf is ‘just not that fun’ appeared first on Golf.

The FedEx St. Jude Championship begins on Thursday in Memphis, Tenn. Here are 5 players our expert loves — and why he thinks you should too.

The post FedEx St. Jude Championship betting guide: 5 picks our expert loves this week appeared first on Golf.

GOLF Top 100 Teacher Brian Mogg shares a simple follow through drill to help build a more consistent golf swing. Here's how it works.

The post Build a more consistent golf swing with this easy follow-through drill appeared first on Golf.

From growing up carving golf clubs out of branches, Godfrey Nsubuga had an unlikely path to the U.S. Amateur Championship.

The post How this self-made long-shot from Uganda made U.S. Amateur history appeared first on Golf.

At a weekly competition in Greenville, S.C., strangers become friends, and everybody in the field has a puncher's chance.

The post Community and competition: The grand appeal of Skins Night at a par-3 course appeared first on Golf.

The 2024 FedEx Cup Playoffs are here! Here's everything you need to know about the PGA Tour's playoffs, including the format and schedule.

The post 2024 FedEx Cup Playoffs primer: Format, schedule, prize money, how to watch appeared first on Golf.

The 2024 St. Jude Championship is the first of three playoff events to determine the FedEx Cup champion. Here's how to watch on ESPN+.

With the first of the three FedEx Cup Playoff events upon us, see who is on the bubble to move on at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

The post FedEx Cup bubble watch: The race for top 50 is on appeared first on Golf.

Just how Vice Golf got into the golf club business is certainly a question worth pondering.

It’s easy hot take for the cynic to say Vice simply went to China, slapped its logo on some open-mold models and called it a day. As with most hot takes, it’s lazy and incorrect.

The real story is quite a bit more interesting. It’s a tale of two separate companies, four entrepreneurs, a series of fateful decisions and a two-day wedding bash in Spain.

This, friends, is the story of how two German businesses, Vice Golf and HIO, continental Europe’s largest independent club fitter, found each other.

As they say in Bavaria, Es war Schicksal, liebe Freunde

Golf (especially apparel) is in this good spot right now where more and more first-time golfers are being brought into the tent. I’m no expert in the economics of the game but I would attribute some of the growth in golf’s most unseasoned segment to that of golf apparel collaborations.

Seemingly, every week there’s a new collab, oftentimes from brands that have nothing to do with golf themselves. Bad Birdie and Liquid Death. TaylorMade and Kith. Heck, even 7-Eleven just dropped an apparel capsule for the SECOND time.

I’m a big believer in the impact that these “non-endemic” collabs can have on the game and I’m here for it. Collaborations have produced some of my favorite garments to date. In short, I think that, as golf apparel continues to move more towards streetwear and away from formalwear, we should see more big-name collabs pop up.

If I were a non-golf brand trying to dip into the new wave of golfers that’s ready to spend and buy with the trends, here’s what I would dream up.

1. NIKE x Ben & Jerry’s

NIKE is no stranger to world-class collaborations. Yes, they’ve already teamed up with Ben & Jerry’s for the infamous “Chunky Dunky” pair of NIKE SB Dunks. I can’t help but hear the word “chunky” and immediately think of my short game. That’s why I’d love for NIKE and Ben & Jerry’s to rekindle their magic and bring that signature cow print to a golf shoe.

Perhaps one of the most interesting things about golf is that no two golfers are alike, and thus, neither are their bags.

Each week we’re going to highlight a random WITB from the MyGolfSpy Forum, for no reason other than curiosity. It’s always good to see what other golfers are playing. Have a WITB you’d like to share? Head over to the forum.

In the meantime, buckle up and take in our first submission, courtesy of Rob Person

Random WITB

Driver: Titleist 910 DWoods: Titleist 910 SeriesIrons: Stix Perform (6i-PW)Wedges: Stix Perform (52, 56 and 60*)Putter: Odyssey AI-ONE DB

Rob’s Comments:

Having gone through a number of changes in the last few months,  I’m happy to say that not a single club is the same as when I started playing a few years ago.

We all want to hit the ball further. Advancing the ball down the fairway as far as possible leads to better scoring opportunities. If you don’t believe me, look up Lou Stagner on X and see the statistics for yourself. Those extra yards you could gain off the tee could help you save strokes, and today’s deal is geared to help you get there. Have you got the need for speed?

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If you’ve been looking to increase your swing speed and distance off the tee, the Rypstick is for you. Use code MGS20 at checkout to save 20% on your order today.

The post This Popular Speed Trainer is 20% Off appeared first on MyGolfSpy.

If you play the wrong tees but correct the mistake, can you avoid taking a penalty? Rules Guy has the answer.

The post Rules Guy: If I play from the wrong tees, can I correct the mistake without penalty? appeared first on Golf.

Golf's gold medalists share one fascinating trait, Matt Kuchar made a strange decision, Max Greyserman made 8. The Monday Finish has it all.

The post Matt Kuchar’s explanation, Golf’s Olympic miracle, nightmare 8 | Monday Finish appeared first on Golf.

The bump-and-run is a versatile golf shot often used when you are close to the green but want to keep the ball low and rolling, rather than lofting it into the air. This shot is particularly useful in windy conditions, on firm greens, or when you have plenty of green to work with. Here's how to execute a bump-and-run effectively:

1. Choose the Right Club

• Lower Lofted Club: Typically, a 7-iron, 8-iron, or 9-iron is used for a bump-and-run. Some players may even use a pitching wedge or a hybrid, depending on the situation and personal preference.
• Consider the Terrain: The choice of club also depends on the distance to the pin, the slope of the green, and any obstacles. A lower lofted club will produce a lower flight and more roll, while a higher lofted club will give you a bit more lift but still maintain that rolling characteristic.

2. Set Up for the Shot

• Stance and Alignment: Position your feet closer together than you would for a full swing. Your stance should be slightly open to your target line, meaning your front foot is slightly back from the target line.
• Ball Position: Place the ball slightly back in your stance, closer to your trailing foot. This promotes a descending strike on the ball, helping to keep the shot low.
• Weight Distribution: Shift your weight slightly onto your front foot (the foot closer to the target). This helps ensure you hit down on the ball and get it rolling quickly.
• Grip: Hold the club slightly lower on the grip for better control.

3. Focus on Your Technique

• Short Backswing: Take a short, controlled backswing. The bump-and-run doesn't require a full swing. The key is a smooth, controlled motion.
• Controlled Follow-Through: Follow through low and towards your target. The follow-through should be proportional to the length of the backswing, keeping everything compact.
• Firm Wrists: Keep your wrists firm throughout the swing to prevent flipping the club and adding unwanted loft. The motion should come from your shoulders and arms, not your wrists.

4. Execute the Shot

• Strike the Ball: Aim to make contact with the ball first, striking it with a slightly descending blow. This will produce a low trajectory with minimal spin, allowing the ball to land softly and roll out towards the hole.
• Control the Roll: The bump-and-run is all about controlling the roll. Gauge the speed and distance you need by practicing on the practice green to get a feel for how much the ball rolls out with each club.
• Read the Green: Just like putting, you need to read the green's slopes and breaks. Aim for a spot where the ball can land and start rolling towards the hole, taking into account any breaks or slopes.

5. Practice Different Situations

• Vary Your Clubs: Practice the bump-and-run with different clubs to understand how each one affects the distance and roll. This will help you choose the right club during a round.
• Practice with Purpose: Set up drills where you have to land the ball on a specific spot and let it roll out to the hole. Practice from different lies and distances to build confidence in this shot.

When to Use a Bump-and-Run

• Firm, Fast Greens: When the greens are firm and fast, a bump-and-run can be more predictable than a high-lofted shot that might not stop quickly.
• Windy Conditions: In windy conditions, keeping the ball low with a bump-and-run can help you maintain control and avoid the wind affecting the shot.
• Ample Green to Work With: When you have a lot of green between you and the hole, a bump-and-run can be more reliable than a lofted shot.
• Trouble Around the Green: If there are obstacles like rough or bunkers between you and the hole, and you're close enough to the green, a bump-and-run can help you avoid these hazards.

The bump-and-run is a fundamental shot that every golfer should have in their arsenal. With practice, it can become a reliable option for getting the ball close to the hole from just off the green.