Golfing News & Blog Articles

Haeran Ryu has a history of going low on the LPGA and the 23-year-old South Korean added to that in the FM Championship.

Great Britain and Ireland rallied from a 3-1 deficit to tie the United States after the first day of the Curtis Cup.

Bunker shots in golf can be challenging, but with the right technique and mindset, you can master them. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you improve your bunker play:

1. Understand the Basics

• Club Selection: Use a sand wedge, typically with a loft of 54-58 degrees. The sand wedge is designed to help the club glide through the sand and lift the ball out of the bunker.
• Stance: Take a slightly open stance, with your feet shoulder-width apart. Your front foot should be slightly flared out, and your body should be aligned left of the target (for right-handed golfers).
• Ball Position: Position the ball slightly forward in your stance, closer to your front foot. This helps you make contact with the sand first, not the ball.
• Grip: Hold the club with a relaxed grip, slightly weaker than usual. This allows for more control and prevents digging into the sand.

2. Set Up Correctly

• Weight Distribution: Place more weight on your front foot (around 60-70%). This helps to keep the clubface open through impact and ensures that you hit down into the sand.
• Open the Clubface: Before taking your grip, open the clubface to increase the loft. This helps the ball pop out of the sand and get airborne quickly.
• Bend Your Knees: Lower your center of gravity by bending your knees slightly. This helps you dig into the sand and make a proper swing.

3. Execute the Swing

• Take a Full, Smooth Swing: Unlike regular shots, bunker shots require a full swing with a smooth rhythm. Your arms and body should work together to create a fluid motion.
• Aim to Hit the Sand First: Your goal is to strike the sand about 1-2 inches behind the ball. The sand will carry the ball out of the bunker, so you don’t need to focus on hitting the ball directly.
• Follow Through: Continue your swing through the sand, allowing the club to finish high. A full follow-through helps maintain clubhead speed and prevents the club from digging too much into the sand.

4. Practice Different Lies

• Firmer Sand: In firmer sand, you might need to close the clubface slightly and make a shallower swing to avoid bouncing the club off the hard surface.
• Fluffy Sand: In softer, fluffier sand, you’ll want to open the clubface more and make a steeper swing to ensure the club doesn’t get stuck.

5. Focus on the Mental Game

• Stay Positive: Confidence is key in bunker play. Approach the shot with a positive mindset, knowing you have the skills to execute it.
• Visualize the Shot: Before swinging, visualize the ball popping out of the sand and landing softly on the green.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Hitting the Ball First: This often results in the ball flying over the green. Focus on hitting the sand before the ball.
• Too Much Sand: Taking too much sand can leave the ball in the bunker. Practice finding the right amount of sand to ensure a clean exit.
• Deceleration: Slowing down your swing through impact can cause the ball to stay in the bunker. Commit to the shot and maintain your swing speed.

7. Practice Drills

• Draw a Line: In a practice bunker, draw a line in the sand and practice hitting just behind it. This helps you learn to strike the sand consistently.
• Varying Distances: Practice bunker shots of different lengths by adjusting your swing length and speed. This builds confidence in your ability to control distance from the bunker.

With consistent practice and attention to these fundamentals, your bunker play will improve, and you'll start approaching these shots with more confidence and success.

When Vice Golf introduced its new irons and wedges this year, there were plenty of oohs and ahhs. If nothing else, they do have a distinctive look.

However, another segment of the golfing world reacted with, shall we say, skepticism.

As a result, we need to get a couple of things on the table right away.

First, despite what we’ve seen from various internet wizards of the keyboard, the new line of Vice irons, wedges and putters are not open models with Vice’s name and logo slapped on them.  “Looks like” is a far cry from “same as” or “copy of.”  Being a cynical consumer is a good thing. Being a serial naysayer trying to appear edgy with no real knowledge or insight to back it up is just embarrassing.

The line between those two, my friends, can be surprisingly small.

There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.

What We Tried:

The PUMA ELECTROCAT NITRO. Perhaps the reason the name is all caps is because it’s the brightest shade of orange I’ve ever seen. Never fear, it’s also available in white.

Who Tried It:

Connor. Director of Content and resident sneakerhead. PUMA golf shoes have been hit or miss for me in the past. This pair might have changed my perception.

About the ELECTROCAT NITRO

There’s one reason the ELECTROCAT NITRO caught my eye from the jump. No, it wasn’t the bodacious color palette fittingly dubbed “Fire Glow.”

It’s the massive rear end … I mean “cushion.” The stack height on this pair of shoes is huge. Some might call it “thicc.” In any case, the ELECTROCAT NITRO is designed to be a max cushion golf shoe. This trend of prioritizing comfort above all else is something more brands have started to do, even in the past few months.

I grew up in South Florida, playing junior golf throughout the region.

Most of the courses I played as a child no longer exist. I can name at least a dozen that were developed into condos or other residential developments. Golf in the state of Florida—which leads the country with more than 1,200 courses—was hit hard in the 2000s and 2010s as an oversupply of facilities matched unfavorably with tepid demand prior to the pandemic.

We’ve seen a comeback from the golf industry since then and Florida has been a leader. From 2019 through 2023, no state produced more course openings (21). Only Texas (13) reached double digits in that time.

While those new courses such as The Park West Palm and Sandhill Crane’s The Nest Par 3 have been widely supported—they offered much-needed affordable public golf in an area that skews heavily toward private golf—the latest proposal for public golf has been met with near-unanimous outcry.

Last week, the State of Florida announced a proposal to build multiple golf courses on state parks, potentially threatening cherished land that hosts some of the most spectacular wildlife in the country. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s “Great Outdoors Initiative” for 2024-2025 also includes the development of pickleball courts, 350-room hotels and disc golf courses across parts of nine state parks.

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE fall golf. Cool, crisp air. The changing colors of the leaves (until they fall on the ground and you lose balls where you shouldn’t). With those cooler temps comes the need for good layers to stay warm on days where the wind decides to bite. Today’s deal will keep you comfy through the end of the season.

Save 35% on the Galway Bay Fall Players Pack when bundled.

Designed for Golf. The Fall Players Pack

Corrib Long Sleeve Golf Rain JacketCladdagh Chino Rain PantCappagh Performance Hybrid VestSalthill Performance Quarter ZipGolf Rain Gloves

Ideal for temperature ranges between 45 – 75 degrees, this players pack will keep you performing long into the late season. With breathable waterproof materials, waterproofed seams, deep pockets and a soft, quiet fabric, you won’t feel restricted as you add layers on.

Take advantage of this deal from Galway Bay today.

The post Stay Warm When the Temperature Drops with Today’s Deal appeared first on MyGolfSpy.

Marina Alex found the TPC Boston much more to her liking by playing bogey-free for a 4-under 68, giving her a one-shot lead Thursday in the inaugural FM Championship.

Scottie Scheffler had five birdies over his last seven holes on a sweltering afternoon at renovated East Lake to pull away from Xander Schauffele and everyone else at the Tour Championship.

Chris Kirk is a world-class right-handed golfer and also an excellent left-handed one, which has raised an interesting rules question.

The post This Tour winner wants to keep two handicaps. Do the rules allow it? appeared first on Golf.

Our writers break down Jay Monahan's press conference, East Lake's controversial changes and player reactions from the Tour Championship.

The post What Monahan didn’t say (and what Rory did): Sights, sounds, rumors from Tour Championship appeared first on Golf.

The camera on your phone can be a great tool for improving your swing, but you have to film from the correct angles.

The post How to properly film your golf swing, according to a top teacher appeared first on Golf.

Tough golf shots can challenge even the most experienced golfers, but with the right techniques and mindset, you can improve your chances of success. Here’s how to approach some of the most difficult shots in golf:

1. The Long Bunker Shot

• Challenge: Long bunker shots require precision to get the ball out of the sand and onto the green without overshooting.
• Technique:
  • Setup: Open your stance and the clubface slightly, aiming to hit the sand about 1-2 inches behind the ball.
  • Swing: Use a longer club like a 7- or 8-iron, and make a controlled, smooth swing with a focus on follow-through. This will help carry the ball the necessary distance while maintaining accuracy.
  • Focus: Keep your lower body stable and avoid excessive wrist action to maintain control.

2. The Flop Shot

• Challenge: The flop shot is needed when you must get the ball high in the air quickly, often over an obstacle, with minimal roll.
• Technique:
  • Setup: Use your most lofted club (like a lob wedge), and open the clubface wide. Position the ball forward in your stance.
  • Swing: Make a steep backswing with an aggressive follow-through. Allow the clubface to slide under the ball, which will pop it up high.
  • Focus: Keep your weight slightly forward and commit to the shot. The key is confidence; a timid swing often leads to failure.

3. The Punch Shot

• Challenge: Punch shots are used to keep the ball low, often to avoid tree branches or windy conditions.
• Technique:
  • Setup: Position the ball slightly back in your stance, with hands ahead of the ball. Use a lower lofted club, such as a 4-iron or 5-iron.
  • Swing: Make a controlled, short backswing and focus on a low, firm follow-through. Keep your wrists firm and avoid a high finish.
  • Focus: Keep your weight forward throughout the shot to maintain a low trajectory.

4. The Downhill Lie

• Challenge: Downhill lies are tricky because gravity tends to push the ball forward and cause it to run out more than usual.
• Technique:
  • Setup: Align your shoulders parallel to the slope and position the ball slightly back in your stance. Use one less club than you would normally need, as the slope adds distance.
  • Swing: Make a controlled, smooth swing, allowing for the ball to come out lower and roll more.
  • Focus: Stay balanced throughout the swing and avoid trying to help the ball into the air.

5. The Sidehill Lie

• Challenge: On a sidehill lie, it’s easy to lose balance, and the ball often curves due to the slope.
• Technique:
  • Setup: Adjust your stance so that your shoulders are parallel to the slope. Aim slightly in the opposite direction of where the ball might curve (left for a right-handed golfer if the ball is above your feet).
  • Swing: Make a normal swing, but expect the ball to curve due to the slope. Focus on maintaining balance throughout.
  • Focus: Be mindful of how the slope will affect your balance and the ball's flight.

6. The Tight Lie Chip

• Challenge: Chipping from a tight lie (very little grass under the ball) can cause thin or chunked shots.
• Technique:
  • Setup: Use a club with less bounce, like a pitching wedge. Position the ball back in your stance with weight slightly forward.
  • Swing: Make a short, controlled stroke, focusing on striking the ball first with a descending blow.
  • Focus: Keep your hands ahead of the ball through impact and avoid flipping the wrists.

7. The Water Hazard Carry

• Challenge: Carrying a shot over water can be mentally intimidating, often leading to mis-hits.
• Technique:
  • Setup: Choose the right club that allows for a comfortable distance to carry the water. Align yourself confidently toward your target.
  • Swing: Make a full, committed swing with a smooth tempo, focusing on hitting through the ball.
  • Focus: Block out the water hazard mentally and visualize a successful shot landing on the green.

8. The Shot from the Rough

• Challenge: Heavy rough can grab the club, reducing speed and accuracy.
• Technique:
  • Setup: Use a more lofted club to help get the ball out. Position the ball slightly back in your stance.
  • Swing: Make a steeper swing, focusing on hitting down on the ball. Expect less roll and more stopping power due to the lofted club.
  • Focus: Keep a firm grip and follow through aggressively to power through the grass.

Approaching these tough golf shots with the right techniques and mindset can help you navigate them more successfully and lower your scores. Remember, practice and confidence are key!

As part of the PGA Tour’s first meaningful investment in YouTube golf, the Creator Classic took place on Wednesday evening at renovated East Lake Golf Club.

The event, which was streamed on YouTube and ESPN+, featured 16 YouTube golf creators playing eight holes of stroke play on East Lake’s back nine. The top four finishers earned their way into a one-hole playoff on the course’s par-5 18th hole. Any ties would have resulted in a chipping contest to determine the winner—that wasn’t necessary, however, as former University of Oklahoma golfer Luke Kwon won with a birdie while the other three competitors settled for par.

My overall impression of the event was overwhelmingly positive. I would be stunned if the Tour doesn’t revive this concept for next year’s Tour Championship. Better yet, I think there could be more YouTube golf involved ahead of marquee events like the Players Championship.

It wasn’t all perfect—the streaming product needs a lot of work—but the Creator Classic has solid bones.

Here are five takeaways from the inaugural edition of the event.

LIV pro Jon Rahm, in a New York Post interview, denied a report that he regrets joining LIV Golf and wants to rejoin the PGA Tour.

The post ‘Zero validity’: Jon Rahm blasts rumors that he regrets LIV decision appeared first on Golf.

Matt Fitzpatrick's cracked driver ordeal at the BMW Championship shined a spotlight on a rule that needs to be fixed.

The post ‘This is outrageous’: Pro’s cracked driver highlights concerning gray area appeared first on Golf.

Jose Luis Ballester joined GOLF's Subpar to discuss his U.S. Amateur title, how Sergio Garcia helped him, his Masters birth and more.

The post The advice Sergio Garcia gave the latest U.S. Amateur champion appeared first on Golf.

There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.

What We Tried:

Dunning’s new Player Jogger. These hybrid pants look like joggers on the back but give off traditional vibes in the front. I’m intrigued.

Who Tried It:

Connor. Director of Content, resident sneakerhead and notorious pants hater. When you’ve got cankles like this, it’s best to show them off. That said, I can get behind a good pair of joggers. The Dunning Player Jogger looks, on the surface, to be a good fit.

What’s the problem with pants?

Everything. Pants are restrictive, often uncomfortable and make me really hot. You’ll more often find me wearing shorts, not pants, even when it’s below freezing. That’s why joggers are the perfect middle ground for me. They tend to fit and feel more like shorts but provide more coverage for those nippy days outside.

My wife scolds me often because I don’t even own a pair of jeans. Spoiler: If Dunning made jeans that feel like the Player Jogger, I would buy them in a heartbeat.

Your grip can make or break your golf shot—it’s as simple as that. Your hands are your only connection to the club, and if they aren’t positioned correctly, delivering a square clubface at impact becomes nearly impossible. Here are five common golf grip mistakes to avoid. 

Incorrect grip pressure

Sam Snead famously said, “Hold the club as if you had a little baby bird in your hands.” Not to discredit Snead, but I’ve only held a few baby birds, and I certainly didn’t hold them like I hold a golf club.

This concept of holding the club too loosely and gently can cause the club to slip during the swing. If you don’t add a little grip pressure, you may not have enough control over the clubface to hit it square.

The best way to determine how much grip pressure is enough is to test different pressures at the range.

Start by gripping the club with a lot of pressure and hitting a few shots. Now, loosen it a bit and hit a few more. Keep experimenting by gradually releasing a little pressure until you can consistently release the club and maximize power. Most golfers find a little extra pressure to be helpful in controlling the clubface.