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There‘s a lot of cool gear in the golf world that doesn’t always fit 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

GForce Swing Trainer

Your Reviewer

Phillip Bishop – Avid fan of U.S. Open carnage, tester of golf equipment, and pretzel lover.

We Tried It: GForce Swing Trainer

Being a golf media outlet and specializing in golf equipment testing, it is natural for a plethora of products to pass through our doors. I’ve gotten my hands on some unique and helpful training aids. But I’ve also seen and used some that are bewildering, to say the least.

Recently, the GForce Swing Trainer was brought to our attention and, I must say, it does grab your attention. It isn’t every day that you have an extremely flexible and lightweight golf club, especially one that allows you to hit golf balls. When you first see it, you can’t help but think, “There is no way I can hit golf balls with this!”

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 Skins App.

For diehard golfers who like (or need) a little action when they play, Skins is an on course gamification app that features a slate of popular betting games with correct rules (not the made-up ones your buddy tries to impose in the middle of the third fairway), real-time scoring capability and even a direct-to-winner(s) from loser(s) payout platform. 

Wallet forgetters, no more excuses!   

Who Tried It 

Rick Young. One of MyGolfSpy’s Canadian contributors and three buddies, Rob, Gerry and Deuce (don’t ask).  

Are we getting to the point that we can call stuff from the early 2000s “retro”?

As a late ’90s baby, I shudder at the fact that some might consider me “old.” In any case, PUMA’s latest golf sneaker is inspired by the perfectly young running shoes of the 2000s.

We’re talking about those chunky, sporty sneakers that everyone wanted. That’s what PUMA has with the new TEVERIS G golf shoe.

The TEVERIS G is billed by PUMA as a “retro shoe for the modern golfer.” The tech specs seem to validate this tagline. Underneath those curves, the TEVERIS G boasts a NITRO foam midsole for a comfortable ride. The spikeless rubber outsole and subtle suede accents round out the package.

Is it streetwear or is it sexy? It’s hard to say. But if you’re a streetwear fiend, you’re going to like how these look. If you’re a traditionalist, you’re better off with PUMA’s new AVANT shoe.

Bushnell Golf recently unveiled its latest golf GPS device, the Phantom 3 Slope. A revamped version of Bushnell Golf’s handheld golf GPS, the Phantom 3 Slope features a large, easy-to-read touchscreen display, offering golfers slope-compensated distances at a touch.

Release Details

Available in June at Bushnell Golf retailers nationwideRetail price of $149.99Offered in four colors: Red, white and blue; neon green; orange; blackPreloaded with 38,000+ coursesIntegrated BITE magnetic cart mount and belt clip accessory14+ hour battery life

Phantom 3 Slope: Slope Compensated Distances

Building on the success of the previous model, the Phantom 3 features several new additions, including slope-compensated distances. This feature allows golfers to get precise yardages adjusted for elevation changes. The slope function can be toggled on and off, making it legal for tournament play.

Touchscreen Display and User Interface

The Phantom 3 Slope introduces a large, easy-to-read touchscreen with an intuitive user interface. This upgrade simplifies navigation and ensures golfers can quickly access the information they need. The auto course and hole recognition feature makes setup effortless while the auto-prompt score entry helps golfers keep track of their game seamlessly.

Advanced Golfing Features

Preloaded with more than 38,000 courses, the Phantom 3 Slope provides golfers with front, center and back distances for every hole. The device also offers GreenView with movable pin placement, enhancing accuracy and confidence in every shot. Additional features include a shot distance calculator, a round timer and an odometer.

Bushnell Confidence: Integrated Technologies

Bushnell Golf‘s commitment to innovation is evident in the Phantom 3 Slope’s features. The device supports up to six hazards per hole, ensuring golfers have all the information needed to navigate the course successfully. With its integrated BITE magnetic cart mount and belt clip, the Phantom 3 Slope is ideal for cart riders and walkers.

Rory McIlroy's Pinehurst practice round with Martin Kaymer turned into a fascinating lens through which to view his U.S. Open heartbreak.

The post Rory McIlroy, an old friend and a nightmare ending | Monday Finish appeared first on Golf.

Rory McIlroy, who congratulated Bryson DeChambeau for his U.S. Open win, said he'll take a few weeks off after "probably the toughest [day] I've had" as a pro golfer.

Corey Conners found the fairway and the green on the final hole of the U.S. Open, a closing par at Pinehurst No. 2 that landed him in the Olympics for Canada for the second time.

Bryson DeChambeau said on Monday on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he is frustrated that he will not be competing at the Paris Olympics but accepts that his move to LIV Golf ultimately cost him that chance.

The LIV leaderboard for the first three majors of the year has been telling.

The man at the top? Bryson DeChambeau, now a two-time major champion and a player who has overhauled his reputation in record time. DeChambeau, you could make the case, is having a better major season than world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. He was T6 at the Masters, runner-up at Valhalla for the PGA Championship and just won the U.S. Open at Pinehurst.

The rest of his LIV competitors? For the most part, they have been thoroughly disappointing.

Outside of Bryson, there was only one LIV player in the top 25 of the U.S. Open—44-year-old Sergio Garcia, who grinded his way through sectional qualifying, earned a T12 finish.

And of the 12 players who are under par in the aggregate throughout the first three majors (those who made the cut in all three events), only one of them is from LIV:

Here are 50 observations from the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, including thoughts on Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.

The post Bryson, Rory and 1 inspirational email: 50 observations from the U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.

How does Olympic golf differ from PGA tournaments? Check out key facts before the Paris Games.

World-class putters in golf are often the ones who excel under pressure, have impeccable touch, and show great consistency on the greens. Here are some of the best putters in golf history:

1. Tiger Woods

• Style: Known for his meticulous preparation and mental toughness, Tiger's putting stroke is smooth and repeatable.
• Strengths: Clutch putting in critical moments, exceptional green reading ability, and unparalleled focus.

2. Ben Crenshaw

• Style: Often referred to as “Gentle Ben,” Crenshaw's putting stroke is classic and fluid.
• Strengths: Natural touch and feel, especially effective on fast greens. Known for his remarkable performance at Augusta National.

3. Jack Nicklaus

• Style: Nicklaus had a distinctive, methodical putting style, with a slight forward press.
• Strengths: Confidence and composure in high-pressure situations, exceptional lag putting, and great distance control.

4. Brad Faxon

• Style: Faxon's putting stroke is characterized by its simplicity and fluidity.
• Strengths: Renowned for his consistency and smooth stroke, regarded as one of the best pure putters in golf history.

5. Jordan Spieth

• Style: Spieth's putting technique includes a unique look at the hole during shorter putts.
• Strengths: Clutch under pressure, exceptional green reading skills, and a knack for holing crucial putts.

6. Bobby Locke

• Style: Locke had a distinctive hook putting stroke and a stance that emphasized a closed clubface.
• Strengths: Excellent on all types of greens, known for his ability to hole putts from any distance.

7. Seve Ballesteros

• Style: Ballesteros had a creative and confident putting stroke.
• Strengths: Impressive touch and feel, especially in clutch situations. His creativity on the greens made him a formidable putter.

8. Loren Roberts

• Style: Known as the "Boss of the Moss," Roberts' putting stroke is smooth and rhythmic.
• Strengths: Consistency, great touch, and exceptional performance on fast greens.

9. Steve Stricker

• Style: Stricker’s putting stroke is simple and efficient, with minimal wrist action.
• Strengths: Excellent from mid-range distances, highly reliable under pressure, and known for his consistency.

10. Gary Player

• Style: Player used a straightforward and effective putting stroke, often practicing rigorously.
• Strengths: Mental toughness, exceptional focus, and reliable in crucial moments.

These golfers are celebrated for their putting prowess, each with a unique style and set of strengths that have led them to success on the greens. Their ability to hole putts consistently and perform under pressure has made them legends in the sport. Whether it’s the fluid strokes of Ben Crenshaw and Brad Faxon or the mental fortitude of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, these world-class putters have left an indelible mark on the game of golf.

While Wyndham Clark's title defense fell flat, Matthieu Pavon claimed his first top-5 finish in a major. Here are the biggest winners and losers from the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

Bryson DeChambeau is a U.S. Open champion again, while Rory McIlroy's nearly 10-year drought without a major championship victory will go on.

Rory McIlroy, coming off his fourth runner-up in a major, is listed as participating in this week's PGA Tour event -- the Travelers Championship.

The final-round duel that played out at Pinehurst No. 2 on Sunday cemented Bryson DeChambeau's evolution while perpetuating a 10-year narrative for Rory McIlroy.

I know I don’t come off this way but I’m actually pretty frugal.

The guy who reviewed $400 pants and consistently spends $200+ on shoes is going to tell you how to spend (and save) your money.

If I were you, I’d listen up. Golf is expensive and only getting worse for your wallet. The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice performance while pinching those pennies. I’ve come up with five surefire ways to save you cash without hurting your game.

Here are the five things I’d never waste money on as a golfer.

1. Full-Price Golf Balls

The first rule of thumb: Never buy golf balls at the golf course. Unless you want to pay $18 for a sleeve of Pro V1s, make sure you bring your own balls.

Let’s face it. You whiffed on Father’s Day. A tie? seriously?

You owe it to Dad to get him something he’ll actually use. Even better, get Dad something he actually wants.

On this, the day after Father’s Day, there is still time for redemption. All you need to do is hit “Add To Cart.”

OluKai and LINKSOUL have teamed up for a Dad-approved collab. Is there anything more “Dad” than a pair of golf sandals?

OluKai is the best in the business when it comes to comfortable, attractive footwear. Couple that with LINKSOUL’s unique SoCal style and you’ve got yourself a Father’s Day ace.

Could Michigan be the most-overlooked golf state?

Home to the third-most golf courses in the U.S. with 859, trailing only Florida (1,262) and California (961), “America’s Summer Golf Capital” doesn’t just offer a ton of options but has various course layouts, styles and topography whether you’re playing on the Upper Peninsula or elsewhere.

While some of its private courses have hosted multiple majors, the Great Lake State boasts a ton of quality public courses from Arcadia Bluffs to Eagle Eye and everywhere in between.

So, without further ado (and in no particular order), here are some of the best public golf courses in Michigan.

Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs Course) – Arcadia, MI

Course Architect: Warren Henderson, Rick SmithSlope Rating: Champion – 75.7/146, Blue – 72.7/140, White – 70.5/134, Gold – 67.8/126, Red – 64.7/120Yardage: Champion – 7,300, Blue – 6,913, White – 6,389, Gold – 5,661, Red – 5,024Green Fees: Dynamic pricing. See website for details.

Undoubtedly the top public course in the state, the Bluffs Course at Arcadia Bluffs is situated on—you guessed it—bluffs high above Lake Michigan. Ranked 14th on America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses by Golf Digest, this links-style track features native grasses, sod-walled bunkers, wide fairways and spacious greens. Open to the public seven days a week April through November each year, the Bluffs Course is a can’t-miss when you’re in Michigan.