Golfing News & Blog Articles

The first golf course in the United States was the Oakhurst Golf Club, established in 1884 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. However, it was a small, informal course that did not host official competitions.

The first official 18-hole golf course in the U.S. was the Chicago Golf Club, founded in 1892 in Wheaton, Illinois. Designed by Charles Blair Macdonald, it set the standard for modern golf courses in the country.

Key Facts About Early U.S. Golf Courses

• Oakhurst Golf Club (1884): Considered the first U.S. course, though not a full 18-hole layout.
• St. Andrew’s Golf Club (1888): Established in Yonkers, New York, it is the oldest continuously existing golf club in the U.S.
• Chicago Golf Club (1892): The first 18-hole course, marking a milestone in American golf history.

Progress made during PGA Tour 2K25 First Look will carry over to the full game on its release.

The insert-free L.A.B. Golf OZ.1 mallet putter is available in stock and custom configurations.The face of the OZ.1 lacks the stainless steel insert in the OZ.1i.Stock and custom builds are available at labgolf.com.

When L.A.B. Golf released their new OZ.1i mallet in December, it made quite a stir. Not only was the mallet created through a collaboration with Adam Scott but it was the first L.A.B. Golf putter to feature a stainless steel face insert.

Additionally, the OZ.1i was the first L.A.B. Golf putter to have a zero-degree shaft lean option. All previous L.A.B. Golf putters had built-in forward press in the shaft, requiring a special L.A.B. Golf Press Grip to complete the build. The zero-degree option allows any grip to be used and should make the putter feel familiar to a traditional mallet player.

Naturally, the OZ.1i is still Lie Angle Balanced regardless of face or shaft options.

L.A.B Golf said an insert-free version of the OZ would be coming in the future. Well, the future is now. The OZ.1 with its all-aluminum face now is available.

Naturally, I had to check out this latest L.A.B. putter and, oh boy, do I have stuff to share. First, we are going to check out the custom build programs for the OZ.1i and the OZ.1. Does what you see on the computer screen match the delivered product?

If the drop zone is full of divots, is it legal to drop your ball behind it instead? Rules Guy has the answer.

The post Rules Guy: The drop zone is full of divots. Can I drop behind it instead? appeared first on Golf.

Beginning this week, GOLF's Subpar podcast—hosted by Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz—will welcome a new presenting sponsor: Fanatics Sportsbook.

The post Fanatics Sportsbook announces presenting sponsorship of GOLF’s Subpar podcast appeared first on Golf.

How to watch this week's TGL match featuring Rory McIlroy's Boston Common team on Tuesday, February 4, including full TGL TV coverage.

The post How to watch Rory McIlroy’s TGL match on Tuesday: TV coverage, streaming, teams appeared first on Golf.

Pebble Beach was a great week of golf. But while the play was good, much of the focus was on how professional golf can improve. We look at the current discussion going on around the game and what comes next.

Rory McIlroy's Pebble Beach victory came with a few terrific quotes, an oddly timed letter and the promise of more intrigue to come.

The post Rory makes ‘boring’ discovery, pro sends odd email, Hovland keeps tinkering | Monday Finish appeared first on Golf.

On GOLF's Fully Equipped, Kris and Wadeh reflect on a busy week at the PGA Show in Orlando and the products that jumped out to them.

The post These PGA Show products wowed our gear experts | Fully Equipped appeared first on Golf.

The new Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Red Board is now available at Fairway Jockey, rounding out the sixth-generation Diamana family.

The post The new Mitsubishi Diamana Red Board is now available at Fairway Jockey appeared first on Golf.

If you want to become a better putter, you've got to have great green reading and a feel for the speed of the greens.

The post Use this simple green-reading trick to make more putts appeared first on Golf.

Charley Hoffman wrote a letter to fellow PGA Tour members saying that slow play is "an issue" and that there needs to be "a concerted effort to speed up."

Blades Brown, a 17-year-old pro, joined GOLF's Subpar podcast to discuss turning pro early, his busy workout schedule, his game and more.

The post How this talented teenager trains for a career in pro golf appeared first on Golf.

Wyndham Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champ, plays a lot of golf with non-professionals. Here's how he handicaps the matches.

The post How many strokes should you get from a U.S. Open winner? We asked one appeared first on Golf.

Rory McIlroy's journey to find the best version of himself took its next step with a surprising revelation at Pebble Beach.

The post Surprising Rory McIlroy revelation offers window into his evolution appeared first on Golf.

Phil Mickelson suffered a minor shoulder injury during a workout in the gym and will miss the LIV Golf season opener in Saudi Arabia this week.

Golf is one of the most popular sports worldwide, enjoyed by millions of players and spectators. Its appeal spans across different generations, skill levels, and countries. Here’s an in-depth look at the popularity of golf:

1. Global Golf Participation

• There are an estimated 66 million golfers worldwide across various levels.
• Top golfing nations include the United States, Japan, Canada, the UK, South Korea, and Australia.
• The United States alone has over 25 million active golfers, making it the largest golf market.
• Golf is growing rapidly in China, South Korea, and the Middle East, with new courses and training academies being developed.

2. Golf’s Popularity in the U.S.

• Golf has remained one of the top recreational sports in America.
• The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major boom in golf participation, with a record 3 million new players in 2020 alone.
• The U.S. has over 16,000 golf courses, the most of any country.
• Junior and women's golf participation is increasing, with 36% of new golfers being female.

3. Growth in Asia & Europe

• Japan has around 9 million golfers and boasts one of the highest numbers of golf courses per capita.
• South Korea has seen an increase in golf due to the success of players like Tiger Woods, Inbee Park, and Sungjae Im.
• China has a growing golf culture, despite restrictions on new course construction.
• Europe remains a strong golf hub, with countries like Scotland, England, Spain, and Germany having significant golfing populations.

4. Professional Golf Viewership & Revenue

• Major tournaments like The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship draw millions of viewers.
• The PGA Tour and LIV Golf have created a competitive rivalry, attracting new audiences.
• The Masters 2023 had over 12 million TV viewers, showing golf’s continued popularity.
• The golf industry contributes over $84 billion annually to the U.S. economy, including tourism, equipment sales, and course operations.

5. The Influence of Golf Legends

• Tiger Woods is one of the biggest reasons for golf’s global popularity, inspiring millions of new players.
• Players like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Rory McIlroy, and Phil Mickelson have also expanded the sport’s reach.
• Women's golf has grown thanks to stars like Annika Sörenstam, Nelly Korda, and Lydia Ko.

6. Golf & Technology Advancements

• Golf simulators have made it possible to play year-round, increasing participation.
• Topgolf and virtual golf experiences have introduced golf to younger audiences.
• Golf apps and training aids, like TrackMan and Arccos, have helped players improve their game.

7. Golf's Olympic Return

• Golf returned to the Olympics in 2016 after a 112-year absence, boosting global interest.
• Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama’s 2021 Masters win increased golf’s popularity in Asia.

Conclusion

Golf remains a widely played and watched sport, with growing participation among younger and more diverse demographics. Innovations in technology, professional rivalries, and new markets continue to make the sport more accessible and appealing worldwide.

In this edition of Play Smart, GOLF.com editor Zephyr Melton explains how he's teaching himself the perfect ball position with each club.

The post How I’m teaching myself the perfect ball position with every club appeared first on Golf.

If you enjoy getting riled up over the cost of today’s golf equipment, we’re going to have some fun today.

If you feel compelled to voice your frustrations over $600 drivers in our comments section or on social media, consider this my gift to you.

Yes, friends, today we’re going to talk about the new XXIO Prime Royal Edition lineup. Before we go any further down this road, however, you’ll probably want to know these numbers:

Driver: $1,199.99
Fairways: $799.99
Hybrids: $499.99
Irons: $2,099 (five pieces)
Add-on irons: $359.99
Ladies’ packaged set: $5,299.99

No, those numbers are not a typo. XXIO Prime is a premium, upscale product and Royal Edition is an additional jump up the upscale scale. The good folks at Srixon-Cleveland-XXIO consider XXIO the “kitchen sink” line. That means XXIO throws every bit of tech it can into the product, including the proverbial kitchen sink. Not surprisingly, some of that technology eventually finds its way into Srixon and Cleveland products so you could even consider XXIO to be a “concept car” type of product.

Charley Hoffman penned a letter to PGA Tour pros calling for pace of play action and greater commitment to the Tour schedule.

The post Tour vet calls out pros for slow play, Tour commitment in letter appeared first on Golf.