Golfing News & Blog Articles

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Fox News: "Titleist blocks customers from personalizing golf balls with 'Let's Go Brandon'"

And they wonder why Chris Wallace took a job at CNN+?

Fox News’ Andrew Mark Miller appears to have worked hard to test out Titleist’s golf ball personalization censors after an enraged customer was rejected over a “Lets Go Brandon” request. The phrase became one of the more pathetic dimwit dogwhistles of this or any generation.

When Fox News Digital attempted to personalize a Titleist Pro V1 ball on the company’s website with the phrase "Let’s Go Brandon", an error message said, "Sorry, one or more of the words you have chosen cannot be used. Please see our Terms and Conditions to learn more about what we will imprint."

On the website, part of those Terms and Conditions reads, "Acushnet Company reserves the right to reject orders for imprints on our products that may, in our sole discretion, be inconsistent with our company values or brand identity, including, but not limited to logos, designs and/or personalizations that are negative in nature, advocate violence or illegal activity, or are slurs, hateful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, vulgar, obscene or pornographic."

It is unclear which of those categories the phrase "Let’s Go Brandon" violated.

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Greg Norman Hosts His 33rd Shootout But It Was Kinda Hard To Tell!

The original charm of golf its simplicity and naturalness, cannot be too strongly emphasized; and this was in a great measure lost when the demand for fresh courses grew, since it then became necessary to imitate what in the first instance had come into being spontaneously. There could never in the case of a repetition be quite the same originality or, for the matter of that, the same variety, qualities which all the old courses possessed in a supreme measure. H.N. WETHERED and TOM SIMPSON

Late birdies lead Kokrak, Na to QBE Shootout title

Jason Kokrak and Kevin Na birdied 12 of their last 13 holes Sunday in fourballs and closed with a 12-under 60 to rally from a three-shot deficit and win the QBE Shootout in Naples, Florida.

Leishman-Day duo extends QBE Shootout lead

Marc Leishman flirted with an ace for the second straight day as he and partner Jason Day extended their lead in the QBE Shootout.

Day-Leishman duo leads after Shootout scramble

Jason Day and Marc Leishman had 12 birdies, two eagles and finished 1 shot short of the record for the scramble format, posting a 16-under 56 to lead the QBE Shootout by a stroke.

George Peper's "Rant Against Golden Age Golf Architects"

Links editor George Peper filed “A Rant Against Golden Age Golf Architects” in the latest issue and while I suppose a backlash was inevitable, he also makes a few points that warrant a Golden Age defense.

The old architects are certainly getting a lot of ink these days and no matter how many old photos we turn up showing their courses were just better, there will be a subset that just wants to be living in a better time. And another subset that needs to be living in a better time for their self worth.

But in making his case, Peper ignores when key trait of the restoration movement results and deification of the old architects. First, this attempt at suggesting they are overrated:

If, as one of today’s leading designers Tom Doak has astutely observed, “the best architects are the ones who get the best clients,” then maybe the individuals we should be venerating are not the Golden Age designers but the Golden Age owner/developers, the gentlemen golfers with deep pockets and a simple, steadfast vision that began and ended with the creation of an outstanding golf course: Dick Tufts (Pinehurst No. 2) rather than Ross; Clifford Roberts (Augusta National) rather than MacKenzie; George Crump (Pine Valley) rather than Colt; Robert Moses (Bethpage Black) rather than Tillinghast.

With the exception of Crump, the architects were the difference between having a nice development and a masterpiece. Though Crump famously relied on many opinions besides Colt’s and the overall collaborative nature ended up spawning several successful design careers.

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Arccos Adds Golf Ball Capture and Analysis

With its latest update, Arccos has launched what it’s billing as the first-ever on-course ball data capture system.

Cool.

Also, what does that mean?

The simple explanation is that the Arccos Caddie app’s round settings menu has been expanded to allow the golfer to track the golf ball used during every round.








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The Fried Egg On America Great Remaining Golf Course Restoration Opportunities

The original charm of golf its simplicity and naturalness, cannot be too strongly emphasized; and this was in a great measure lost when the demand for fresh courses grew, since it then became necessary to imitate what in the first instance had come into being spontaneously. There could never in the case of a repetition be quite the same originality or, for the matter of that, the same variety, qualities which all the old courses possessed in a supreme measure. H.N. WETHERED and TOM SIMPSON

Today In Saudi Golf: Norman Rides His C-Suite Horse, GMac Not Happy His Release Request Went Public

Greg Hardwig reports from this week’s QBE Shootout on the latest related to Saudi Arabia’s attempted takeover of the pro game after Greg Norman spoke to assembled media. The LIV Golf Investments operation running the potential Saudi Golf League had named a new COO Thursday: Atul Khosla, who has bee the chief corporate development and brand officer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

This gave the Shirtless Shark a chance to ride “C-suite” as only he could.

“Our C-suite (or major executive team) has been very, very special to say the least, and it’s a testament to our business model, it’s a testament to our commitment to the game of golf and our C-suite, which is deep and very experienced not only in sport, team sport, not only in business, but right across the board,” Norman said. “Our C-suite starting in London to where we’re going to be in West Palm Beach is solid. Really, it is a commitment by them of, like I said, believing in the product, believing in the business model and believing in the players.”

Three C-suites in so little time. Oh but why quit there?

“‘I’m very, very passionate about that,” he said. “I’m not going to lose focus on that at all. I stay finely tuned with my C-suite people on the same thing about our future and about how we want to get to certain milestones in our life and obviously for our investor.

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2021 NCGA Annual Meeting

2021 NCGA Annual Meeting

December 9, 2021

Gary Fox was officially named the 95th President of the Northern California Golf Association at Wednesday’s NCGA Annual Meeting, which was held at Poppy Hills Golf Course.  Other board members for the 2020 NCGA golf season were also confirmed at the meeting. The 2020 Annual Meeting was held virtually due to COVID-19.

Fox, a member at Spring Creek Golf and Country Club in Ripon, has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2014. Fox, whose wife is Darlene, is a retired executive in food services distribution and warehousing industries.

Fox succeeds Bob Goldstein, a member at Sequoyah Country Club. Also seated were Vice President David Pearson (eighth year) and Secretary/Treasurer Edward Quinn (fifth year). Current NCGA Board members that were re-nominated for 2022 were Kevin Peyton of San Jose CC (fifth year), Lance Parker (fourth year), Preston Pinkney (third year), Bill Carle (third year), Cathy Stroh (third year), Dana Carrigan (second year), Bob Miller (fourth year), Karl Rodefer (second year), Bill Self (second year) and Lynn Harvey (third year).

NCGA Board members who are either retiring or have met board term limits are Raymond Coates, Terry Fitzwater and Scott Gebhardt.






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Mizuno Pro 221, 223 and 225 Irons

The Mizuno Pro line features three new models.It’s the most tech-rich MP release ever.Availability begins Feb. 3.

We’re running a few months behind but it’s finally Mizuno MP … excuse me … Mizuno Pro time. Typically, this is a discussion that’s as much about the artistry of design—clean flowing lines, precise shaping and the Mizuno tradition—as it is technology and performance.

Not this time.

Bucking Tradition

The demographics of golf have changed. We’ve talked about the influx of new golfers before. As it relates to Mizuno, those new golfers don’t carry with them much of a golfing memory. There’s at best minimal awareness of Mizuno’s traditional role in the market. The lines between iron brands and metalwood brands are fading and, with that, Mizuno sees an opportunity to start fresh.

Instead of dwelling on history, Mizuno hopes to make it. That means you’ll see less emphasis on Mizuno icons like Nick Faldo. You’ll hear much less about Mizuno traditions and all that days of yore stuff.



A photo of the Mizuno Pro 221 Iron


a specification sheet for the Mizuno Pro 221 Irons
A photo of the Mizuno Pro 223 iron


a specification sheet for the Mizuno Pro 223 Irons
A photo of the Mizuno Pro 225 iron


a spec sheet for the Mizuno Pro 225 irons
A photo of the Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi






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Major(s) News & Notes December 9th, 2021

The original charm of golf its simplicity and naturalness, cannot be too strongly emphasized; and this was in a great measure lost when the demand for fresh courses grew, since it then became necessary to imitate what in the first instance had come into being spontaneously. There could never in the case of a repetition be quite the same originality or, for the matter of that, the same variety, qualities which all the old courses possessed in a supreme measure. H.N. WETHERED and TOM SIMPSON

Bubba On Saudi: See If You Can Guess How Long Before He Mentions Growing The Game

If you had took the over—50 words—you’re a winner.

It took Bubba Watson 51 before he dropped a “grow the game” to rationalize his hopes of a PGA Tour release to the Saudi International. Quite a contrast to Lewis Hamilton’s stance before the recent Saudi F1 race.

Speaking before this week’s QBE Shootout:

Q. Just your thoughts on you're on the list for the Saudi Arabia tournament and obviously a lot of players are just waiting to see what happens or what the Tour says. How are you approaching that part of it?

BUBBA WATSON: Yeah, it's one of those things where I love to travel and I wanted to travel somewhere else.

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Olesen cleared of sexual assault on a flight

Danish golfer Thorbjorn Olesen was cleared of sexually assaulting a woman on a flight to the United Kingdom from a World Golf Championships event in Tennessee in 2019.

Tiger to play in PNC next week with son, Charlie

Tiger Woods is returning to competition next week with 12-year-old son, Charlie, in the PNC Championship, he tweeted Wednesday.

Maybe, Yes Sir! Tiger Woods To Play 2021 PNC Championship

Given what we know of his accident and the relatively short healing time since then, it’s amazing to see this. But he’s obviously feeling good and undoubtedly has the approval of his doctors. Should be fun:

TIGER WOODS TO PLAY 2021 PNC CHAMPIONSHIP

ORLANDO, Dec. 8, 2021 - Tiger Woods has confirmed he will return to competitive golf next week at the 2021 PNC Championship, taking place at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando, Grande Lakes, Dec. 16-19.

Woods will partner with his son Charlie as they return to the PNC Championship for a second time, having finished tied for seventh place in 2020.

Woods commented, “Although it’s been a long and challenging year, I am very excited to close it out by competing in the PNC Championship with my son Charlie. I’m playing as a Dad and couldn’t be more excited and proud.”

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Cleveland CBX ZipCore Wedges: Forgiveness for the Masses

Cleveland CBX ZipCore Wedges – Key Takeaways

Cleveland adds ZipCore technology to its game-improvement CBX wedges.ZipCore improves MOI for a more forgiving wedge.$149.99 in steel, $159.99 in graphite. Available Feb. 18

The new Cleveland CBX ZipCore wedges pull off a pretty neat trick. They are, concurrently, dramatically different and remarkably similar to their predecessor, the two-year-old CBX 2.

No matter how you feel about the whole idea of a game-improvement wedge, that’s quite an accomplishment.

The CBX line is Cleveland’s effort to redefine the wedge market for those of us with, shall we say, less than perfect ball-striking skills. It’s a large, forgiving, cavity-back wedge for golfers who game large, forgiving, cavity-back irons.

That’s not Brooks Koepka. But that is the vast majority of of us who play golf.

As the name suggests, the new Cleveland CBX ZipCore features Cleveland’s unique ZipCore technology, while maintaining—Cleveland says “enhancing”—the CBX signature forgiveness. Are these the wedges you’ve been looking for? There’s a lot to unpack here so let’s dive in.

Cleveland CBX ZipCore wedges



Cleveland RTX ZipCore
Cleveland RTX ZipCore
Cleveland RTX ZipCore








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The Most Feared Shot in Golf

We can all walk up to any ball location and know with a certain amount of confidence that we can make a shot. But hitting a ball and making the perfect shot to hold the green are very different problems when it comes to hitting your ball out of a bunk. It’s even more difficult when you have a long greenside bunker shot with at least 15 yards of carry. I found this simple set of steps on a Performance Golf Zone promotion ad.


The rules change. In a basic bunker shot your club enters the sand about 2 inches before the ball and exits the sand about 2 inches after the ball. You are actually swinging your open faced sand wedge with enough force to slide it under the ball and lift sand and your ball into the air. Floating your ball on a carpet of sand, you know that you are not going to blade it over the green.

For longer bunker shots take less sand with less loft.

Longer sand shots takes a lot more skill because you are taking less sand and you risk making a thin shot. Knowing the right steps will give you the courage for success:

1/ Use a gap or pitching wedge depending on the distance that you want. For a shot over 30 yards you should consider an 8 or a 9 iron.

2/ Your club face and stance should be slightly open (or even square to your target for longer shots).

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Olesen gives evidence in sexual assault trial

Ryder Cup winner Thorbjorn Olesen has given evidence during a trial where he denies charges of sexual assault, assault by beating and being drunk on an aircraft from the US to the UK.

Cookie Jar Captures Royal County Down

The original charm of golf its simplicity and naturalness, cannot be too strongly emphasized; and this was in a great measure lost when the demand for fresh courses grew, since it then became necessary to imitate what in the first instance had come into being spontaneously. There could never in the case of a repetition be quite the same originality or, for the matter of that, the same variety, qualities which all the old courses possessed in a supreme measure. H.N. WETHERED and TOM SIMPSON


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