Golfing News & Blog Articles

If the new XXIO 13 irons were an overly dramatic love story set in Prague in 1968, we could call them The Unbearable Lightness of Being irons. 

If they were a Tennyson poem, we could call them golf’s Charge of the Light Brigade.

Or if they were a Doors song, we’d be singing “… c’mon baby, light my fire.”

(One week into Launch Season and we’re already punchy as hell.)

But every two years, XXIO gives us something to, ahhh, light up and talk about. XXIO as a brand is targeted toward a very specific golfer: those with driver swing speeds below 90 miles per hour. You may think that makes XXIO a niche product and it may very well be.

Gary Woodland dealt with loss of appetite and energy, jolting awake in the middle of the night, tremors and an overwhelming feeling of fear until doctors could figure out what was wrong.

I’ll bet you didn’t know XXIO makes golf balls.

Heck, I’ll bet you may not even know how to pronounce XXIO.

In any case, I’m here to help.

Introducing the XXIO (pronounced zek-si-oh) Rebound Drive II golf balls. Designed for golfers on the slower end of the swing speed spectrum, this $50 a dozen ball is not for everyone.

That said, it is for someone. Not much has changed this time around (this is the second iteration, if you hadn’t already figured it out by the Roman numerals). Here’s what you need know about the XXIO Rebound Drive II golf balls.

Martin Slumbers will step down as CEO of the R&A by the end of the year after nine years in the role.

Rory McIlroy says his "dream scenario" would be for a global professional golf tour that taps into additional markets such as Australia, South Africa and Japan.

Cabot recently unveiled their newest golf course in St. Lucia — and it's one of the most beautiful properties in the world.

The post Cabot’s newest Caribbean course lives up to the hype — and then some appeared first on Golf.

GOLF Teacher to Watch Jake Thurm shares the most important numbers on a golf launch monitor, which are crucial for helping improve your game.

The post 4 important launch-monitor numbers that’ll *really* improve your game appeared first on Golf.

Justin Thomas uses a little help from Tiger Woods to score choice Masters practice-round tee times — and he has no plans to apologize for it.

The post How Tiger Woods helps Justin Thomas get ideal Masters tee times appeared first on Golf.

The PGA Tour rookie class flew a long way to Hawaii for mandatory onboarding. At Monday's qualifier, they were rewarded with a monsoon.

The post Insane Monday qualifier weather tops PGA Tour rookie turmoil appeared first on Golf.

As you address the ball, an easy hack to confirm that your clubface is square is by using this golf-grip hack. Here's how it works.

The post Use this simple grip hack to confirm your clubface is square at address appeared first on Golf.

After seeing success toward the end of 2023, Lexi Thompson has hired a new full-time caddie for the coming season.

The post Lexi Thompson appoints new full-time caddie after year-end flourish appeared first on Golf.

Hitting a power fade in golf is a valuable skill that can give you both control and distance off the tee. A power fade is a shot that starts to the left of the target (for a right-handed golfer) and gently curves back to the right. This shot is often preferred by many golfers because it tends to be more controlled and consistent than a draw. Here's how to execute a power fade:

Grip and Setup:

1. Neutral Grip: Start with a neutral grip. Avoid strengthening your grip too much (rotating your hands to the right on the club for right-handed golfers), as this can encourage a draw.
2. Alignment: Align your body (feet, hips, and shoulders) slightly left of your target. This setup is crucial as it helps to create the outside-in swing path necessary for a fade.
3. Ball Position: Place the ball slightly forward in your stance (closer to your lead foot). This position helps to ensure that the clubface is slightly open at impact, contributing to the fade spin.
4. Clubface: Aim the clubface where you want the ball to start (generally towards the left side of the intended target).

Swing Thoughts:

1. Swing Path: Focus on creating an outside-in swing path. This means you’ll be swinging the club slightly towards the left of your target line.
2. Gentle Swing: Avoid swinging too hard. Power fades rely on finesse and control rather than raw power.
3. Stay Relaxed: Keep your hands and arms relaxed. Tension can hinder your ability to create the proper swing path and clubface angle.
4. Shoulder Movement: Lead with your left shoulder (for right-handed golfers) through the downswing to help ensure an outside-in path.

Impact and Follow-Through:

1. Clubface Contact: At impact, the clubface should be slightly open relative to the swing path but still closed relative to the target line. This open face (to the path) will impart fade spin.
2. Follow-Through: Let your follow-through happen naturally. Your arms and club should finish around your left shoulder (for right-handed golfers). Avoid manipulating the club with your hands.

Practice Drills:

1. Alignment Drill: Use alignment sticks or clubs on the ground to practice setting up with your body aimed left and your clubface aimed at your start line.
2. Swing Path Drill: Place an object (like a headcover) just outside the ball on your target line. Practice swinging without hitting the object to encourage an outside-in path.

Club Selection:

• Driver or Fairway Woods: Power fades are typically hit with longer clubs like drivers or fairway woods. These clubs provide the necessary loft and length for the desired ball flight.

Remember:

• Every golfer’s swing is unique, so it might take some time to adjust these guidelines to fit your personal style.
• Practice is key. Spend time on the range working on these techniques.
• Consider taking a lesson from a golf professional, as they can provide personalized tips and corrections.

A well-executed power fade can be a very effective shot in your golf arsenal, especially on tight fairways or when dealing with left-to-right wind conditions. With practice, you can make this a reliable and go-to shot in your game.

The 2024 Sony Open begins Thursday in Hawaii. Here's how to watch the event, including a Sony Open TV schedule and streaming info.

The post 2024 Sony Open in Hawaii: TV schedule, streaming, how to watch appeared first on Golf.

Here's what it's like playing Fields Ranch East and Fields Ranch West at Omni PGA Frisco Resort in Frisco, Texas.

The post At Omni PGA Frisco Resort, the golf is a blast. But bring your creativity appeared first on Golf.

As the PGA Tour island-hops from Maui to Oahu, a trio of players stand out to us as smart picks to win the Sony Open

The post Sony Open betting guide: 3 picks we love on Oahu this week appeared first on Golf.

Designed with the more accomplished player in mind, the new Blueprint S and T irons from Ping delivery precision in every detail.

The post Ping’s Blueprint T and S forged irons: 4 things you need to know appeared first on Golf.

Given that PING’s release cycles are longer than the industry average and that the G430 lineup launched last January, you probably weren’t expecting a new PING driver in 2024.

Surprise! The G430 MAX 10K driver has joined the family.

PING G430 MAX 10K – What’s in a Name?

First, let’s be clear that the G430 MAX 10K expands PING’s G430 lineup. It doesn’t replace anything currently on the market.

So what is it? The “10K” speaks to a MOI (moment of inertia value) that pushes above 10,000. On paper—more accurately, in PING’s CAD software—the G430 MAX 10K’s actual MOI value is closer to 10,100 but CAD values don’t always translate to the finished part.

The larger point is that PING’s naming convention errs on the side of caution and, other than the lightweight HL build, every finished G430 MAX 10K part will be above the 10,000 MOI mark.

Today’s PING Blueprint T and S irons launch story should be marked for posterity.

It is, we believe, the first launch story of 2024 where the acronym AI or the word optimize or maximize will not feature prominently. In fact, other than in this paragraph you’re reading at this very moment, they won’t appear at-freaking–all.

It’s refreshing to get back to talking about golf clubs created by regular people. Sure, those people have advanced degrees and they used a computer and all. But the new PING Blueprint irons have a human feel to them.

HAL hasn’t taken over this ship. Not yet anyway.

On the other hand, PING is right upfront about these new Blueprints. They’re not for everybody. In fact, you could say that, other than the elite ball striker, they’re hardly for anybody. But pieced together in the right set?

Since the first pictures of TaylorMade Qi10 drivers leaked, there’s been plenty of speculation about the name.

Is Qi a play on AI?

Is TaylorMade using the Chinese pronunciation of Qi, which gets us to Chi-ten—a driver so good it’s like cheating?

Nope and nope.

Bummer on that 2nd one. It would have been fun.

The new Taylormade Qi irons prompt a rather obvious question.

If TaylorMade’s new driver is the Qi10, why aren’t their new game-improvement irons also Qi10?

We’ll tell you the answer in a bit. But for you non-TaylorMade fans out there, it might just jolt your long-held beliefs.

And jolting long-held beliefs appears to be a theme with 2024 iron releases. After years of using raw distance and forgiveness as game-improvement iron talking points, OEMs appear to be pulling in the reins ever so slightly. They still love their distance but messaging is shifting towards – gulp – accuracy.  

And TaylorMade, long considered by online warriors as the key culprit in wacky distance claims to the point of it becoming a cliché, is actually leading the accuracy charge.