Besides the big check, Justin Rose’s big win this past weekend at the FedEx St. Jude Championship puts him in line for an even bigger check and the coveted FedEx Cup. Given Rose’s overall popularity, it’s not surprising that his WITB (What’s In The Bag) is getting more internet play than the Liberty Mutual emu.

We could be like everyone else and share Rose’s WITB with you, but then we’d be just like everyone else. Unless you’re very new around here, you know that’s just not our style.

Instead, we wish to share with you something truly special (and perhaps a tad unusual): Justin Rose’s WOTF: What’s On The Feet.

WOTF? WTF?

If you’re a golf shoe geek, Rose’s WOTF is, in fact, significant. It represents an important first for the shoe brand Rose wore, PAYNTR Golf.

In winning the title, Rose wore the PAYNTR Golf X Tour Proto RS shoes. It marked the very first PGA Tour victory for a player wearing PAYNTR golf shoes.

Being an athlete in the public eye can have its perks, but also many challenges. The most recent one? Bettors requesting money if they aren't getting the wins.

How do you reconcile the rule that allows you to remove loose impediments with the rule that forbids you from improving your lie or stroke?

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When golfers talk about player’s distance irons, Callaway and Mizuno are always part of the conversation. In our 2025 Most Wanted Player’s Distance Irons test, four models from these two brands went head-to-head. The results show clear differences in strengths and knowing them may help you choose the right fit for your game.

Head-to-head data (Callaway versus Mizuno player’s distance irons)

Callaway’s Apex Ai200 stood out as the most accurate iron in this group and paired that precision with elite distance, earning a third-place overall finish in the full 2025 test.

Mizuno’s JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro produced the highest distance score in the entire category while the JPX 925 Forged offered a more balanced blend of performance.

You’ll notice the accuracy scores are the biggest separator between these two brands. Callaway’s entries both scored higher in accuracy than their Mizuno counterparts. Mizuno’s clear edge came in distance capability. That contrast could be the key factor in deciding which brand better suits your game.

Brand	Model	MGS Score	Accuracy	Distance	Forgiveness
Callaway	Apex Ai200	8.9	9.0	9.5	8.1
Callaway	Apex TI Fusion	8.4	8.5	8.7	8.0
Mizuno	JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro	8.6	8.4	9.6	8.0
Mizuno	JPX 925 Forged	8.4	8.2	9.1	8.4

Best Overall Callaway: Apex Ai200

The Apex Ai200 shows exactly why Callaway is a leader in the player’s distance category. Its accuracy score of 9.0 was among the highest in the entire test and its 9.5 distance score placed it just behind the overall distance winner.

As a mom of kids who love golf, I can tell you that finding great kids’ golf clubs can be difficult. There are very few options, and while I’ve always gravitated toward U.S. Kids Golf, Wilson and PING junior sets, there’s a new player in the game. And this company also happens to be my kids’ favorite golf ball brand. If you’ve seen the Vice Shade and Drip, you know why. If you’re in the market for junior clubs, Vice now has a few new options worth a look.

The three Vice junior sets

Vice created three sets in this release, one for every player from ages 6 to 12 or 44 to 58 inches tall.

TOUR JUNIOR (Ages 6–8 | Height 44″–49″)

A simple, lightweight starter set aimed at building solid contact and confidence. It has five golf clubs and comes with a carry bag.

Fairway wood: 23°Irons: 7-iron (37°), 9-iron (47°), sand wedge (57°)Blade putterLightweight carry bag

PRO JUNIOR v1 (Ages 7–10 | Height 49″–53″)

The v1 PRO JUNIOR adds a true driver and a hybrid for kids who swing a little faster and are ready for more gapping.

Driver: 17°Hybrid: 27°Irons: 7-iron (36°), 9-iron (46°), sand wedge (56°)Blade putterLightweight carry bag

PRO JUNIOR v2 (Ages 9–12 | Height 54″–58″)

The most complete setup, including a fairway wood and an added long iron to bridge distance gaps.

Stop me when you’ve heard this before.

“Aagh… I just can’t swing it like I used to. My back, my hips …. everything HURTS”

Sound like you? Despite my mere 27 years on earth, I, too, am susceptible to the aches and pains of golf. Between swinging clubs, shooting hoops and wrangling a toddler, prioritizing my recovery has become a new hobby of sorts for me.

Like me, taking the proper steps to allow your body to recover is a surefire way to play better golf. On the flip side, not giving your body the rest and recovery it deserves can be detrimental to your game.

Here’s what’s trendy in recovery right now.

Getting a golf simulator feels like unlocking a new level in your game. You’ve got the screen, the launch monitor, maybe a putting strip and a net and you’re ready to take your game to the next level. The elephant in the room is that most golfers have no idea what to look for and how to analyze all of this data.

What should you be looking for? Are there stats that matter more than others? What do the numbers mean?

The answer depends on your game. Not all data points are helpful for every golfer. If you’re a beginner, you don’t need to stress about spin loft. If you’re a scratch trying to find a few extra yards or tighten dispersion, those numbers might be exactly what you need. Take a look at the video below for a good basic guide of what you should know.

Beginners

If you’re new to the game, the goal isn’t to maximize driver carry or fine-tune spin windows. It’s to get the ball in the air, going in the right general direction. A golf simulator can help you become more consistent and understand your strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most important things to track are carry distance, launch direction (start line) and smash factor.

Carry distance: Carry is the number that matters most right now. It helps you get over bunkers and onto greens. Look for consistency in your carry numbers and aim for distance gaps of 10–12 yards between each club.Launch direction (start line): This shows where the ball is starting relative to your target. If the ball starts way left or right, it’s likely a face angle issue. Smash factor: Smash tells you how solid your strike was. It’s calculated by dividing ball speed by club speed. A good smash is 1.4–1.5 with a driver and 1.3–1.4 with a 7-iron. Lower numbers usually mean you missed the center of the face.Clubface angle: Clubface angle controls your start direction more than anything else. Try to keep it within +/-2 degrees of square at impact. Even small changes here can make a big difference in ball flight.

Mid-handicap golfers

For mid-handicap golfers, the basics are passe. However, consistency may still be something your game is lacking. It could be a slice or a few fat shots every round. The goal now is to work on being a more predictable golfer.

Some rules in golf are printed in black and white. However, others live in those sideways glances, whispered comments and round-ending group texts that say: “Please don’t bring that person next time.”

These are the unofficial etiquette rules. Sometimes, you’ll get to know your group of golfers and these things aren’t a problem. We get it: everyone plays at a different level and with different levels of seriousness. However, if you’re a newer player heading out with golfers you don’t know, these are the unwritten rules you’ll be expected to know.

Don’t touch another player’s ball (Even if you think you’re helping)

You found your buddy’s ball in the rough and tossed it over to him or picked it up to help him identify it. This isn’t really helpful. It’s not yours and now the lie isn’t the same as it was. Unless someone specifically asks, leave their golf ball as you find it.

Don’t give swing tips unless you’re asked

There’s a time and place for swing advice. The middle of the round is not that time nor the place. The worse your playing partner starts to play, the more advice you start giving and it just gets uglier from there.

Unsolicited swing tips are one of the fastest ways to make a round awkward. Even if you’re right, even if you’re a scratch player, keep the information to yourself unless someone specifically asks, “Do you know what I’m doing wrong.”

At 61, Greg Sanders is competing on a long, demanding course against a field of bombers young enough to be his kids.

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U.S. Open winner J.J. Spaun and two-time major champion Xander Schauffele will join world No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler on the U.S. team when it takes on Europe in next month's Ryder Cup.

As LIV Golf wraps up its third season, there are endless ways to dissect its future as a rival golf league.

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Sepp Straka has withdrawn from the BMW Championship because of a private family matter, but still plans to play in the Tour Championship next week.

Tommy Fleetwood's devastating loss and Justin Rose's inspiring win mean something interesting for the European Ryder Cup team.

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Captain Luke Donald welcomed Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose as the latest members to be added to the European Ryder Cup team.

We are on to the BMW Championship and the second stop of the playoffs. Here are five players who are no longer joining (and five who are).

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In this edition of Play Smart, we explain the unique feel Justin Rose uses in his swing to create clubhead speed.

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Justin Rose's timeless swing relies on a handful of triggers that help him get into position for consistent contact.

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Drivers

Modern drivers are engineered for maximum distance and forgiveness. Key technological features include:

 

• Multi-Material Construction: Drivers often combine lightweight carbon composite crowns with heavier titanium or steel bodies to optimize weight distribution and lower the center of gravity (CG). This design promotes higher launch angles and lower spin rates, leading to greater distance.
• Aerodynamic Shaping: Clubhead shapes are designed to reduce drag during the swing, increasing clubhead speed. Features like turbulators and speed steps contribute to this aerodynamic efficiency.
• Adjustability: Many drivers offer adjustable hosels and interchangeable weights. The adjustable hosel allows golfers to modify loft and lie angles, while movable weights enable fine-tuning of CG location for draw, fade, or neutral shot biases.
• Face Technology: Thinner and more flexible clubfaces, often with variable face thickness (VFT) designs, expand the sweet spot and maintain ball speed across a larger area of the face, improving forgiveness on off-center hits.

Irons

Iron technology focuses on consistency, feel, and playability. Recent developments include:

 

Jordan Spieth's season ended at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and now questions about what comes next loom.

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How to watch the 2025 BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club this week, including a full BMW Championship TV schedule.

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