Golfing News & Blog Articles

Nearly 12 months after Titleist launched its ball fitting app, it’s time to check in and see how this golf ball matchmaking service is working out, how it’s expanding, and what the future might hold.

Let’s start with a puzzling reality: most golfers still don’t get fitted for golf balls. That strikes me as odd, considering the ball is the only piece of equipment used on every single shot. Yet some golfers still believe the ball doesn’t matter. Many others assert they “can’t tell the difference” between golf balls.

Again. That’s wild to me.

Golfers will go to great lengths to dial in drivers and I’ve never had a single golfer tell me they can’t tell the difference between drivers (or irons for that matter). However, from years of testing clubs and balls, I can tell you there’s more performance differentiation between golf balls than there is between drivers.

A lot of you are missing out.

You may have noticed that we’re big fans of YouTube golf.

We like talking about our favorite channels and creators. We like talking about the Creator Classic. We like being entertained by Bryson hitting golf balls over his house.

You get the idea.

Well, as far as YouTube golf events go, this newest tournament is the biggest we’ve ever seen.

Announcing the Internet Invitational

On Aug. 12-16, a few dozen of the top creators, personalities, athletes and celebrities will be coming together to compete in a tournament with “at least $1 million” being awarded. It’s uncertain who will be competing but you can plan on the usual suspects being involved.

Known for bold designs and bright colors, Sunday Swagger has never been one to shy away from unique styles. When I heard about their newest collaboration, I wasn’t surprised at all. It brings together two worlds that for many casual golfers go hand-in-hand – Saturday afternoon rounds and a cold brewskie. Their newest collaboration, which was announced on April 25th, features beverage giant Guinness.

Two Brands, One Goal

From a press release received via email:

“Celebrating individuality, heritage, and a good time, the Guinness® x Sunday Swagger collaboration will bring style and substance to the fairway, blending tradition with swagger for those who play hard and unwind even harder. This one-of-a-kind collection combines premium golf apparel with one of the world’s most beloved lifestyle brands in a way that feels both elevated and playful.

The new products will leverage the equity of the Guinness® brand by tapping into its globally recognized identity rooted in tradition, quality, and camaraderie. It will feature a variety of apparel, all incorporating the visual elements, color palette, and tone associated with Guinness® to instantly evoke that deep-rooted brand affinity.”

The Gear

The collaboration will feature a variety of products for both men and women, including t-shirts, polos, new quarter-zips, performance hoodies and jackets. You’ll also be able to top your look off with a selection of sharp hats.

Tight lies are funny. We wish for a clean lie in the fairway, and then we get one, only to realize there’s no cushion of grass holding the ball up. Suddenly, that perfect lie looks a little intimidating. Panic sets in. Many golfers scoop, slow down, or stop their swing, turning a routine chip into a double bogey. If you’re tired of that script, try some of these tips to start clipping the ball cleanly from even the thinnest lies.

Assess the lie

For any green side shot, you should always assess the lie of the golf ball. Look at how firm the ground is, how much grass is sitting under the ball, and what you really have to work with.

Regardless of firmness, your goal is a shallow descending strike that brushes the turf. Let your setup create the downward motion, don’t force it steep.

Pick the right club (and the right bounce)

Whenever possible, you should use a lower-lofted club on these types of shots. A 9-iron, a pitching wedge, or even a putter are great clubs to use from a tight lie. You’ll get a lower flight, but less room for error.

If you go with a higher lofted wedge (because you need to fly the shot over something), try to use one with less bounce. The club’s leading edge will sit closer to the turf and allow you to hit the shot cleanly.

Next week's PGA Championship host has been through many changes but appears ready to put on a great show. Whether you can remember all the holes or enjoy playing it daily? That's another story.

Rory McIlroy's Masters win might unlock him at majors, but he might not be the only one to benefit from the historic win.

The post The unexpected beneficiaries of Rory McIlroy’s Masters win appeared first on Golf.

Here’s why Rory McIlroy said he felt “the worst” at this year’s Masters after a birdie. He was talking ahead of the Truist Championship.

The post Why Rory McIlroy felt ‘the worst’ at this year’s Masters … after a birdie appeared first on Golf.

Justin Thomas' 5-wood is one of the oldest clubs used on the PGA Tour. But the 2-time major winner has no plans to get rid of it.

The post It’s one of the oldest clubs on Tour, but Justin Thomas’s 5-wood isn’t going anywhere appeared first on Golf.

What does Colt Knost of GOLF's Subpar carry in his golf bag? He shared with us in a special edition of Play Smart.

The post What you can learn from this former PGA Tour player’s setup appeared first on Golf.

Johnson Wagner is golf TV's most beloved everyman. But the journey that brought him to Golf Channel is about much more than on-camera shanks.

The post How Johnson Wagner duffed his way to golf-TV stardom appeared first on Golf.

Rory McIlroy has a clear strategy at Philadelphia Cricket Club, which this week is hosting the Truist Championship: "Hit driver everywhere."

The post ‘You can send it’: Rory McIlroy plotting to overpower old-school PGA Tour venue appeared first on Golf.

In today's edition of Play Smart, GOLF Teacher to Watch Christy Longfield explains the importance of consistent ball position.

The post Why proper ball position is so important in the golf swing appeared first on Golf.

The PGA of America is giving away free tickets to the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black to unsuspecting golf fans.

This year’s PGA Championship winners' dinner will feature a “pretty fitting” gift, according to last year’s champion, Xander Schauffele.

The post PGA Championship winners’ dinner? It will feature ‘pretty fitting’ gift   appeared first on Golf.

Rory McIlroy's Masters win might open the floodgates for him, but it also could help Justin Thomas as his resurgence heads to Quail Hollow.

The post How Rory McIlroy’s Masters win might end up helping Justin Thomas appeared first on Golf.

Rory McIlroy has had a few weeks to process his long-awaited Masters win. On Wednesday, he was asked to reflect on it.

The post Was Rory McIlroy *destined* to win the Masters? Here’s how he sees it appeared first on Golf.

Justin Thomas said he has been "fortunate" to have the golf world paying attention to the recent success of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.

Those crazy SOB’s finally did it.

It’s tough to crack my golf shoe rotation. As someone who’s worn well over 150 different pairs over the last three years or so, you might think my personal top-5 changes pretty frequently.

That isn’t the case. I have a few favorites that get more run than the rest of my collection. But, every once in a while, something comes along that is so good, I have to reevaluate my personal Mt. Rushmore.

I’ve been cautiously optimistic that NIKE could crack their way into my rotation, considering it’s made up of mostly adidas.

But until this year, that’s felt more like a pipe dream than a reality. Often, I feel like NIKE neglects their golf category (and rightfully so) in favor of things like running, basketball and sportswear.

Throughout this whole PGA Tour-LIV saga—which feels longer than the Cold War—I’ve been on the block of supporting a reunification where the game’s best players come together more often.

I still believe pro golf is better that way given how golf is, relatively speaking, a niche entertainment option with a bloated viewing experience. Watering down the product by splitting it up has never made sense.

However, the first few months of this year has forced a recalibration.

Hand up: I did not anticipate the Tour rebounding like it has in 2025.

After a significant TV ratings downturn in 2024—and what appeared to be growing apathy among fans—the Tour has taken back some momentum this year.

In 2025, you’re going to want a driver with adjustability. Adjustable loft sleeves make it easier to fine-tune your ball flight and ensure your club matches your game’s specific needs. But unless you’re a club fitter, understanding how these adjustments work can be confusing. Every day, golfers often underutilize loft sleeves. Let’s look at how adjustable loft sleeves function and what they can and can’t change.

What does an adjustable loft sleeve do?

A loft sleeve connects your club shaft to the clubhead, allowing you to modify three critical performance factors:

Loft: Controls how high or low the ball launches.Face Angle: Influences your shot shape (draw or fade).Lie Angle: Impacts your initial ball direction (left or right).

These adjustments can help:

Correct common swing faults like slicing or hooking.Adapt to weather conditions (e.g., windy days).Optimize launch and spin for maximum distance and accuracy.

How adjustments to the loft sleeve impact your shots

When you change the setting on a loft sleeve, you do more than just alter the loft number stamped on the club. These adjustments change how the club sits at address, how the face points at impact, and how the ball launches off the face.

While these adjustments are not a fix for a flawed swing, the loft sleeve is a way to adjust your starting direction, shot shape, and launch height to better fit your natural tendencies or the conditions you’re playing in. Here’s a simple breakdown of what each change typically does: