John Paramor, a popular and trusted European tour rules official whose career spanned six decades, has died at the age of 67.
Golfing News & Blog Articles
Stay up-to-date on golfing news, products, and trends from around the world.
PGA Tour can depose LIV financier Al-Rumayyan
A federal judge has ordered Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund to open its books and ordered its governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, to be deposed by the PGA Tour's lawyers in the tour's ongoing legal battle with LIV Golf.
#AskMyGolfSpy Vol. 21
Welcome back to another edition of #AskMyGolfSpy, where readers like you submit your top questions to our experts here at MGS. You can pass along your questions to the team on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or right here in the comments section, below!
Let’s dive in.
When can I expect the Kirkland irons to show up? Will they offer different shaft (regular, senior, etc.) options?
We don’t have any inside info but, given how long they’ve been on the conforming list (and the fact that we’re rolling into the buying season), I suspect it won’t be long. I would hope they’d be offered in at least stiff and regular flex.
Lefties may get hosed.
We’ve been told Costco is serious about infiltrating the golf market. To an extent they already have with the ball, a really good value-priced glove, wedges and putters. Irons were the logical next step.
That said, a lot has changed in the golf market since COVID and Costco isn’t the only value option in town. For all the talk of the big brands raising prices (and they have), I can’t recall a time with so many competent low-priced options (New Level, Sub 70, PXG and, to an extent, Tour Edge) for golfers to choose from.
Costco has a loyal following and the irons will surely generate some interest but it’s unlikely they’ll be significantly less expensive than what’s already out there from more established brands.
Will TaylorMade come out with a higher-compression ball to compete with Pro V1x Left Dash?
Frankly, what TaylorMade will do with the golf ball is one of the more intriguing questions in the equipment space for 2023. It’s our opinion (and we’re alone by any means) that TaylorMade took a step back with the current TP5 series.
For my money, the previous generation was one of the best on the market while the current generation has a bit of an identity crisis with the two models being way too similar to one another.
FWIW: TaylorMade is doing some really cool visual stuff with PIX and Tour Response Stripe.
It hasn’t been talked about a bunch but the company has put a significant amount of horsepower behind its ball business: bought a factory, upgraded its outdoor testing capabilities and installed a state-of-the-art indoor test range.
The current generation is entering its third year on the market which is basically unheard of from a large OEM. Given everything going on behind the scenes, I think what comes next has the chance to be compelling—though I’d settle for more separation between the two balls. My hope is that would include something to compete directly with the Left Dash and, to an extent, the Chrome Soft X LS.
I don’t have Trackman money. Is there an accurate launch monitor out there for less than a thousand bucks?
A year or so ago, my answer would have been “no.” Gathering data with range balls is nearly pointless and, with nothing we’ve tested being able to accurately capture spin data in an indoor/limited-flight environment, I would have told you to save your money unless you were buying one largely for the gaming features offered by some.
What I didn’t anticipate is that the key to the whole thing would be the golf ball.
While no launch monitor is perfect, Titleist’s RCT family of golf balls has significantly improved the ability of partnering radar-based systems to capture spin data in limited-flight environments. In case you’re wondering, the current list of RCT-verified launch monitors includes TrackMan 4, Garmin Approach R10, Full Swing KIT, FlightScope X3 and FlightScope Mevo+.
Likewise, early reports are that the accuracy of Rapsodo’s MLM2’s radar/camera hybrid system is significantly improved when paired with the specially marked Callaway Chrome Soft X golf balls.
While more testing is necessary, I suspect we have reached the point where you can get a reasonably accurate launch monitor for under $1,000.
Why do BOA shoes have to always look so goober-ish and different? Could they not look very similar to laced shoes? FJ BOAs have the disc on back and wires (laces) still in the same spot on top while keeping the rest of the shoe the same.
First, the shoelace has been around for about 4,000 years (seriously, I Googled it). I suspect if situations were reversed and BOA was the established “technology” and laces were the hot new thing, in addition to being for suckers, laces would also look “goober-ish”.
More to the point, FootJoy is a BOA heritage partner. With that, they have exclusive rights to the heel placement of the BOA dial. For what it’s worth, research is ongoing at BOA and it’s entirely possible that placing the dial in other areas will offer a fit and performance advantage.
Are left-handed golfers at a disadvantage due to fewer options of golf products like putters/wedge lofts and grinds, etc?
I think the fair answer is that some left-handed golfers are at a disadvantage. While I think just about every lefty wishes Mizuno would make more stuff for them, by and large the stuff that’s designed for the middle of the fitting bell curve is available for lefties.
So, the average left-handed golfer isn’t short on options and any disadvantage is minimal.
Where things get dicey is on the extremes of the curves. For irons that’s usually blades (in that case, the industry might be doing you a favor by not making them). For metalwoods, it tends to be lofts on the end of the range so lefties sometimes miss out on 8-or 8.5-degree drivers, 13-degree 3-woods or something relatively obscure like a 9-wood.
If you’re a lefty looking to hit the ball lower or with cut spin, you absolutely have fewer options.
And, yeah, as you mentioned, some manufacturers skimp on wedge options for lefties. Again, that tends to be the more niche grinds but I doubt that makes it any easier to stomach.
Cabrera Bello takes 2-shot lead at Thailand Classic
Four-time European tour winner Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain bounced back from a double bogey on an island hole to shoot a 7-under 65 Friday and take a two-shot lead after the second round of the Thailand Classic.
Woods finishes with 3 straight birdies at Genesis
Tiger Woods closed with three straight birdies for a 2-under 69 in the Genesis Invitational, leaving him five shots behind Max Homa and Keith Mitchell.
THE BEST GOLF STAND BAGS OF 2023
2023 Golf Stand Bag Buyer’s Guide
Your choice of a golf stand bag could be the difference between shooting your personal best or heading home with a sore back and aching shoulders.
Golf is hard enough. One of the few variables you have full control over is your golf bag. This year we tested 42 stand bags with you, the golfer, in mind. We put each bag through a rigorous test to ensure your hard-earned money is being spent on something that delivers what it promises.
Let’s find you a new stand bag.
Winner – PING Hoofer
Who is it for?
Those who walk more than they rideSomeone who needs ample storageThe golfer who values functionality over fashionThe Best Golf Stand Bags of 2023 – What to Look For
Storage
If you’re looking for a new stand bag, obviously you would rather walk than ride. In any case, it’s important to find a bag with ample storage. You shouldn’t have to decide which accessories to bring to the course.
Not only does the amount of storage matter but the usability does, too. Don’t let looks fool you—some bags hold a lot more than meets the eye while others punch well below their weight in this category. If maximum storage is important to you, you’ll enjoy the spacious real estate in the PING Hoofer or Vessel Player IV.
Are you Looking for YOUR Game Changer?
I really enjoyed watching the final round of the Waste Management Championship with 3 leaders who fought neck and neck throughout the day. I like to root for the underdog, so Nick Taylor (ranked 223rd in the world) had a surprising performance as he kept up with Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm who were fighting it out to take the number 1 golfer position in the world. Nick Taylor has not won a major championship in years so I was really curious to find out how he had changed his game to stay in contention.
Bonus money was added to this tournament, so the winner took $3.6 million and second place took $2.18 million. That prize money added pressure on every shot for the leaders and especially on Taylor who really has been a Canadian No-Name in golf for some time.
Game Changer
Nick Taylor had to make a number of pressure putts over 10 feet throughout the final round. After the round he described his NEWFOUND SUCCESS. Over the past few months, he has been putting with a claw grip with his trailing hand.
Nick Taylor’s breakthrough is a claw grip with his trailing hand to square-up his swing direction to win second place in WM Championship.
–His lead hand is a conventional putting grip but with his first finger pointing directly down the leading side of his putter grip.
–His trailing hand is a claw grip with his wrist turned sideways so that it can’t bend during his swing.
-As long as he chose the right line and the right amount of swing speed his claw grip allows him to swing directly up his target line. Eliminating any trailing wrist action stops his stronger right hand from pushing his putter in an arc around his body.
I love this concept and plan to adopt this claw grip as I have been putting by releasing my trailing hand at the point of impact so that my leading hand swings my putter directly up my target line. Using a claw grip with my trailing hand should give me more stability in my swing especially for putts under 15 feet.
Everything you need to know ahead of Tiger Woods' return to the Genesis Invitational
After watching practice rounds and the pro-am on Wednesday morning at Riviera Country Club, our golf experts weighed in on what to expect from Tiger Woods and the field this weekend.
McIlroy: PGA Tour should model star-focused NBA
Rory McIlroy said the PGA Tour should build itself around its stars, just like the NBA did to become one of the most popular leagues in the world.
Motocaddy M7 GPS Electric Golf Caddie: Going the Distance
Employing a caddie has long been a luxury the average golfer can’t afford. Imagine the difference in your game if you had someone (or something) to carry your bag and give you precise yardages.
Game changer!
The leader in electric trolleys and golf push carts has revealed its biggest innovation yet. Introducing the Motocaddy M7 GPS, the first electric golf caddie to feature a fully integrated touchscreen GPS unit.
The all-new M7 GPS promises the “ultimate caddie experience” by striking a perfect balance of premium features and functionality. Let’s take a closer look at this innovative electric golf caddie design and learn more about how it improves on the beloved Motocaddy M7 REMOTE.
Motocaddy M7 GPS Availability and Pricing
Available nowRetail is $1,899Free 12-month trial of Motocaddy’s Performance Plan included with purchase ($69.99 to renew)Big Shoes to Fill
The Motocaddy M7 GPS is a successor of sorts to the M7 Remote—or its more advanced sibling. You’ll be happy to learn that the M7 GPS still features the same benefits that made the M7 Remote a perennial winner of MyGolfSpy’s Best Electric Push Cart award. If it ain’t broke … well, you know how the saying goes. Instead of altering the DNA that’s made Motocaddy’s electric golf push carts so successful, the brand used the M7 Remote as the baseline for the creation of the M7 GPS.
Tiger completes 16 holes at Genesis Pro-Am
Tiger Woods played and walked 16 holes in the Genesis Invitational Pro-Am Wednesday morning in his first public round of golf since missing the cut at last year's Open Championship in St. Andrews.
Pereira joins LIV as circuit starts '23 roster reveal
Mito Pereira, who last year squandered a chance to become the first man from Chile to win a major championship, has officially joined the LIV Golf League.
Fujikura Axiom Graphite Iron Shafts
Fujikura introduces Axiom, a new composite iron shaft.Available in three weights: 75, 105 and 125 gramsMSRP is $105-$125/shaft
Question: What would happen if you took Fujikura’s VeloCore technology and put it in an iron shaft?
Answer: Fujikura Axiom.
The Fujikura Ventus family of wood golf shafts is class-leading. And VeloCore (velocity at the core) technology is what makes Ventus, well, Ventus. It’s also Fujikura’s best-selling shaft ever and the “it” shaft on professional tours and in the after-market over the last four years.
But popularity comes with a hefty price tag. A Fujikura Ventus or Ventus TR wood shaft runs roughly $350 without installation, adapter tip, or grip.
Similarly, the Fujikura Axiom iron shaft likely isn’t for the cost-conscious golfer. Companies often prefer the term discerning, which is a nice way of saying the target consumer is one who will pay a premium to explore every available avenue in search of additional performance.
Joel Dahmen might soon become your new favorite golfer
Joel Dahmen, in his seventh PGA tour season, is a new father and a cancer survivor. He's also apt to rip his shirt off to celebrate. Netflix's "Full Swing" might turn him into a household name.
'I'm here to get that W' and more from Tiger's presser at Riviera
At his news conference at the Genesis Invitational, Tiger Woods discussed his health, playing competitive golf and where the PGA Tour stands in its ongoing battle with LIV Golf.
Tiger admits he's 'rusty,' still eyes win at Genesis
Despite admitting that he is "rusty" and dealing with ankle and foot problems, Tiger Woods insists he wouldn't be playing the Genesis Invitational if he didn't think he could contend or even win.
Topgolf Callaway 2022 Financials: $4 Billion? Almost …
Topgolf Callaway 2022 Financials – Key Takeaways
2022 total sales hit nearly $3.996 BILLIONFive-percent increase over 2021Topgolf topped the company in revenueFull-year net profit of $158 millionThe Topgolf Callaway 2022 financials tell several different stories.
And if you’re a shareholder in Topgolf Callaway, none of them appears to be bad.
Topgolf Callaway Brands topped $3.995 billion in 2022. That’s a 27.5-percent increase over 2021’s record-setting year, despite taking a nearly $150 million hit on foreign currency exchange.
It may be a bit of a surprise but the Topgolf division now is the company’s top income producer. It accounts for nearly 40 percent of all of Callaway’s revenue.
There’s much to discuss, but before we do, we need to issue our standard MyGolfSpy disclaimer. We are not nor do we claim to be financial experts, investment counselors or Wall Street-level business analyst types. We’re golf industry geeks who like to read.
