Golfing News & Blog Articles

Stay up-to-date on golfing news, products, and trends from around the world.

Fishburn, McCarthy carry lead into Sony weekend

Patrick Fishburn and Denny McCarthy share the lead in the Sony Open going into what figures to be a wide-open weekend at Waialae.

After reset, pain-free Spieth eyes Pebble return

Jordan Spieth said he used his recovery from August wrist surgery as a chance to reset. "Having to take three months off swinging forces you to come back and be wet concrete," he told the AP.

Learn to Read Greens

Understanding the greens is a key skill for lowering your golf scores. Use these tips to read the terrain, predict ball movement, and make confident putts:


1. Analyze the Overall Slope

  • Step back and observe the entire green. Look for higher and lower points to understand the general direction the ball will roll.

2. Walk Around the Hole

  • View the putt from behind the ball, behind the hole, and from the sides. Each angle can reveal subtle breaks and slopes.

3. Read the Grain

  • Check the grass direction. Shiny grass typically means you're putting with the grain (faster), while darker grass indicates putting against the grain (slower).

4. Look for Natural Indicators

  • Water drains to lower areas, and greens often slope toward nearby ponds, bunkers, or fairways. Use these clues to anticipate ball movement.

5. Trust Your Feet

  • While walking on the green, pay attention to how the slope feels under your feet. It’s often easier to sense subtle breaks through balance.

6. Practice Visualization

  • Picture the ball’s path rolling toward the hole. Imagine how speed and slope will interact with the putt.

7. Factor in Speed

  • The speed of your putt greatly influences how much a ball will break. Faster putts take straighter lines, while slower putts follow more pronounced curves.

8. Use a Consistent Routine

  • Approach every putt with a systematic process. This builds confidence and ensures you don’t rush or miss subtle details.

9. Be Aware of Course Conditions

  • Wet or dry greens, morning dew, or afternoon heat can affect ball speed and roll. Adapt your read based on conditions.

10. Practice Green Reading

  • Spend time on the practice green to test your reads. Experiment with different slopes, speeds, and angles to improve your accuracy.

Mastering green reading is part science, part art, and all about practice. The more greens you read, the better you’ll become at judging break and speed, giving you an edge in your short game!

Pros like Tom Kim use this clever hack to shape their drives

In this edition of Play Smart we explain a clever move that pros use to make sure their drives are shaped the way they want.

The post Pros like Tom Kim use this clever hack to shape their drives appeared first on Golf.

Callaway ERC Soft and Supersoft Golf Balls 

Chrome is Callaway’s flagship golf ball franchise so I’m betting the new Chrome Tour Triple Diamond will receive most of the attention after the curtain comes down on all of their new golf ball releases.   

But here’s a word to the wise for those of us who don’t possess “Tour-level” swing speed: Don’t sleep on the new versions of Callaway’s ERC Soft and Supersoft.  

The mid-level, three-piece ERC Soft and entry-level two-piece Supersoft deserve their plaudits and remain integral to Callaway’s efforts in the ball category.  

ERC Soft 

I’m betting Ely Reeves Callaway, the late founder and CEO of Callaway Golf, would be pretty proud to have his initials on the ERC Soft golf ball.  

Why? Nothing was more intoxicating to him than the feeling of a well-struck golf shot.   

Callaway ERC Soft Golf Balls
A closeup of the Callaway ERC Soft Golf Ball
Callaway ERC Soft in the box
Callaway ERC Soft core photo
Callaway ERC Soft (Cover closeup)
Callaway ERC Soft golf ball triple track pattern
2025 Callaway Supersoft golf ball
An exceptionally artistic photo of the Callaway Supersoft golf ball
Callaway Supersoft box and core
Callaway Supersoft closeup
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Peterson tied for lead in PGA Tour debut at Sony

Paul Peterson, a 36-year-old PGA Tour rookie making his debut, is tied for the lead at the Sony Open with five others after shooting a 6-under 64.

PGA Tour has yet to commit to Genesis at Riviera

Riviera Country Club hasn't been directly affected by the Palisades fire, but the PGA Tour has yet to commit to the Genesis Invitational being played there Feb. 13-16.

Major(s) News & Notes, January 9th, 2025

A Palisades fire update plus other notes from the golf world.

TGL golf league debut draws nearly 1M viewers

This week's debut of the TGL indoor golf league drew nearly a million viewers on ESPN, according to Nielsen.

The 2025 championship parlays: Which picks for 2025 do we love most?

We've all seen the receipts on social media of the small-bet champion parlays that come through. What do ours look like for 2025?

How to watch 2025 PGA Tour Sony Open: ESPN+ schedule

Will Hideki Matsuyama take home his second Sony Open title in 2025? Check out how to watch the PGA Tour event from Oahu.

McKibbin coy over reports linking him to LIV Golf

Tom McKibbin, who recently secured his PGA Tour card for the 2025 season, is playing coy over reports of a possible jump to LIV Golf.

Golf Driver Tips

1. Tee the Ball High

  • Position the ball so the top half of it is above the driver’s clubface when set up. This encourages a positive angle of attack, which promotes distance.

2. Widen Your Stance

  • Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart for stability and power during your swing.

3. Position the Ball Forward

  • Place the ball just inside your lead foot to promote an upward strike, maximizing launch angle and minimizing spin.

4. Maintain a Relaxed Grip

  • Grip the club firmly but not tightly. A relaxed grip allows for better wrist hinge and more natural motion through the swing.

5. Focus on a Smooth Tempo

  • Avoid overswinging. A smooth, controlled swing will result in more consistent and accurate drives.

6. Align Properly

  • Align your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to your target line. A misaligned stance often leads to slices or hooks.

7. Use a Full Shoulder Turn

  • Turn your shoulders fully during your backswing while keeping your head steady to generate power and consistency.

8. Shift Your Weight Properly

  • Start your downswing by shifting weight from your back foot to your front foot to create a powerful transfer of energy.

9. Swing Upward

  • Focus on hitting up on the ball, not down, to achieve the ideal launch angle for long drives.

10. Avoid Swaying

  • Rotate your body instead of swaying laterally. Stability in your swing improves accuracy and distance.

11. Practice with Different Tee Heights

  • Experiment with varying tee heights to find what works best for your swing and clubhead speed.

12. Focus on the Sweet Spot

  • Hit the ball with the center of the driver’s face. Off-center hits reduce power and can cause sidespin.

13. Work on Flexibility

  • Improve your flexibility to increase your range of motion, allowing for a more powerful and controlled swing.

14. Check Your Grip

  • Use a neutral grip where the "V" formed by your thumb and forefinger points between your chin and right shoulder (for right-handers).

15. Use the Right Driver Shaft

  • Select a driver shaft with the proper flex based on your swing speed. Too stiff or too flexible shafts can affect your trajectory and control.

16. Stay Balanced

  • Finish your swing with your weight on your lead foot and a balanced, upright posture for consistency.

17. Visualize Your Shot

  • Picture your desired ball flight and target to help focus your swing and avoid distractions.

18. Avoid Overthinking

  • Keep your routine simple and trust your swing to avoid tension and hesitation.

19. Use the Wind to Your Advantage

  • Consider wind direction and strength. Tee the ball lower into the wind or higher with the wind to maximize your results.

20. Practice, Practice, Practice

  • Spend time at the range working on your driver technique and building muscle memory for confident play on the course.

By implementing these tips, you can achieve better distance, control, and consistency with your driver!

4o

How to Achieve Your Golf Goals in 2025

It’s that time of year again! Time for a fresh start and creating a new, better, happier you in 2025.

Most people set goals every year, but because these goals and New Year’s resolutions rely too much on willpower alone, they often fade and we quickly lose the motivation we had at the beginning of January.

Having been a Performance Coach for over 15 years I’ve seen it all, and through my experience, I’ve been able to formulate a system based on what I’ve seen work and what I’ve seen fail. It’s sustained motivation and effort over a longer period of time which achieves goals, so you have to use a system that changes habits and develops skills gradually. I’ve turned this email into an audio, so if you are an app subscriber, you’ll find it in the “Weekly Lessons”.

My 7 Step Goal Setting System

Step 1: Decide on your Goals
What are your top 3 big goals for 2025? Let’s not settle for ordinary, pick goals that will make this year extraordinary. Be very clear about what you want to achieve. Clear goals get clear results, blurry goals get mixed results.

Step 2: Figure out “Why?”
For each goal, write down why you want to achieve it. Big goals require a lot of sacrifices, discipline and struggle, so your “why” has to be big enough to keep you going. Why do you want to dedicate your precious time to achieving that goal? What is the pay-off? Imagine how it will feel to achieve those goals and see if that feeling is strong enough to motivate you to put in the work throughout the year.

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Kisner named as 3rd U.S. Ryder Cup vice captain

Kevin Kisner, a four-time PGA Tour winner, will serve as one of Keegan Bradley's vice captains on the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

Niemann, Højgaard receive Masters invitations

LIV Golf captain Joaquín Niemann is headed back to the Masters in April, along with rising PGA Tour star Nicolai Højgaard, after the golfers received invitations to play in the first major championship of the season.

Bay Golf Club celebrates TGL's 1st match with win

TGL had its debut match Tuesday night, with Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele of New York Golf Club taking on Shane Lowry, Wyndham Clark and Ludvig Aberg of The Bay Golf Club in the opener.

Develop a Consistent Pre-Shot Routine

A reliable pre-shot routine is a cornerstone of effective and confident golf. It helps you focus, reduces anxiety, and ensures consistency across your rounds. Here’s how to create and refine your pre-shot routine:


1. Visualize the Shot

  • Assess the Situation: Take in the distance, wind, hazards, and lie of the ball.
  • Picture Success: Visualize the trajectory, landing spot, and roll of your ideal shot.

2. Pick a Target

  • Choose a specific target, such as a tree, a spot on the fairway, or the flagstick.
  • Avoid vague aims; specificity improves accuracy.

3. Commit to a Club

  • Select a club suited to the shot and stick with your choice.
  • Confidence in your club selection is crucial for a smooth swing.

4. Practice a Rehearsal Swing

  • Take 1–2 practice swings to get a feel for the motion, ensuring they mimic your intended shot.
  • Focus on rhythm and balance rather than power.

5. Align Yourself

  • Use alignment aids, such as a mark on the ground or your clubface, to ensure proper setup.
  • Position your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to your target line.

6. Calm Your Mind

  • Take a deep breath to relax your body and sharpen your focus.
  • Use a personal mantra or mental cue to boost confidence (e.g., "Smooth and steady").

7. Execute with Focus

  • Step into your stance with purpose and address the ball.
  • Trust your routine and focus entirely on your target as you swing.

8. Reflect After the Shot

  • Briefly assess your shot’s result but avoid dwelling on mistakes.
  • Use what you learn to adjust your next routine or strategy.

Tips for Success

  • Keep It Simple: A pre-shot routine should take no more than 20–30 seconds.
  • Practice Your Routine: Make it second nature by repeating it during practice sessions.
  • Adapt for Pressure: Use the routine to center yourself, especially in competitive situations.

By maintaining a consistent pre-shot routine, you can approach every shot with confidence and clarity, leading to better performance and enjoyment on the course.

Here's how the TGL's Full Swing launch monitor system works

Tiger Woods' new TGL virtual golf league partnered with Full Swing to create the world's biggest golf simulator. Here's how it works.

The post Here’s how the TGL’s Full Swing launch monitor system works appeared first on Golf.

This Tour winner's drill will have you hitting your irons pure as ever

Two-time PGA Tour winner Nick Dunlap was recently seen using a ball-striking drill that can help you hit crisp irons.

The post This Tour winner’s drill will have you hitting your irons pure as ever appeared first on Golf.


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