Golfing News & Blog Articles

We all know the goal: two putts or fewer per hole. But how many total putts should you be taking each round? How much does that number change depending on your handicap?

We asked Shot Scope for real-world putting data across a range of handicaps, and what we found might surprise you. The difference between a 25-handicap and a scratch golfer isn’t always what you think. Eliminating just one or two three-putts per round might be the easiest path to shaving strokes off your game.

Average putts per round by handicap

You’d expect better players to putt better—but the total number of putts per round doesn’t change all that much. The biggest change you’ll see is the three-putt percentage. A scratch golfer three-putts just three percent of the time, whereas a 25-handicap golfer three-putts 13 percent of the time.

Keep in mind that three-putts are usually a proximity problem first. Approach accuracy, greens in regulation and short-game distance control all play a big role.

Make percentages by distance

We’ve already seen how higher-handicap golfers rack up more three-putts, often because they’re putting from longer distances. But missed short putts are just as costly and they happen more often than most players realize.

The other day, I watched one of my students absolutely stripe his drive down the left side of the dogleg-right 13th hole. He ended up in the left rough and a little out of position, about 130 yards out with a clear shot to the pin. But when he got to his ball, his face dropped. The ball was sitting about three feet below his feet on a steep sidehill lie.

What happened next was predictable: he took his normal setup, made his normal swing and watched his ball sail 30 yards right of the green, out of bounds. He turned to me with that familiar look of confusion, like the golf gods had betrayed him.

Here’s the reality, golf fans: Sidehill lies aren’t course design miscues or bad luck. They’re scoring opportunities that most golfers turn into disasters because they don’t understand how to make the necessary adjustments. After two decades of teaching, I can tell you that ball-below-feet lies are actually more manageable than most players think, but only if you understand what’s really happening.

Why your ball goes right every time

When the ball sits below your feet, physics takes over, whether you like it or not. Your swing plane automatically becomes more upright and the clubface opens relative to your target line. This isn’t a swing flaw you can muscle through with better timing or more concentration.

Think about it: You’re essentially swinging on a steeper angle because you’re reaching down to the ball. That upright plane, combined with the natural opening of the clubface, sends every shot sailing right of your intended target. Most golfers fight this by trying to swing harder or aim further left, but that only makes the problem worse.

We knew the Q2 financial reports from Topgolf Callaway and Acushnet were going to be interesting. We just didn’t know how interesting.

Turns out, they’re pretty darned interesting.

For those of you thinking golf’s two biggest publicly traded companies would hit the skids in Q2, we can confidently say you’re wrong.

Mostly.

As is often the case with Topgolf Callaway and Acushnet, one company’s quarterly financial report reads like a roller coaster at Six Flags while the other reads like, well, a financial report.

Already prepping for the 2026 edition of the Masters? Big spenders have some ultra-luxe hospitality options to choose from.

The post This all-inclusive Masters hospitality package comes with eye-watering price appeared first on Golf.

Bryson DeChambeau is the chair for President Trump's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. Here's what he wants to do in that role.

The post Bryson DeChambeau’s new job? Why Presidential Fitness was ‘calling’ appeared first on Golf.

Akshay Bhatia had a blazing finish to get his PGA Tour postseason off to a good start, closing eagle-birdie-birdie for an 8-under 62 to post his career low and take a one-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood in the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

From hitting shots to calling shots, Golf Channel broadcaster Emilia Doran has been doing it all at this week's U.S. Women's Am.

The post Competitor and TV commentator: Emilia Doran does double duty at the U.S. Women’s Am appeared first on Golf.

CBS Sports announced a major boost in its PGA Tour TV ratings in 2025. Here are 5 takeaways from the announcement.

The post CBS Golf reports huge ratings jump in 2025: 5 takeaways appeared first on Golf.

Discover the top golf courses in Kauai with our comprehensive guide. Find the best fairways for your next round and plan your perfect golfing getaway!

The post Top Kauai Golf Courses: A Guide to the Best Fairways on the Island appeared first on GolfNow Blog.

In this edition of Play Smart, we look at a clever use of a model local rule that can save you strokes off the tee.

The post Hit a drive out of bounds? This rule lets you drop in the fairway appeared first on Golf.

The LIV Golf League is altering the format for its season-ending team championship that will eliminate first-round byes and add a play-in match.

Want to play faster golf? Use these 9 tips to shave some time — and possibly strokes! — off of your next round.

The post 9 ways to play faster cart golf appeared first on Golf.

Ever since getting my hands on a pair of the Reebok Club C golf shoes, they've become one of my favorite options when walking.

The post These Reebok golf shoes have quickly become my favorite pair appeared first on Golf.

Full 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship tee times for Friday's second round at TPC Southwind, featuring Jordan Spieth and more.

The post 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship Friday tee times: Round 2 pairings appeared first on Golf.

The intriguing possibly messy Ryder Cup picks race. Plus, Perpall digs in on distance, vital (and expensive) championship hospitality news, This, That, Reads and a pre-Walker Cup Suggestion Box.

How to watch 2025 LIV Chicago at Bolingbrook Golf Club in Chicago, Ill., including the full LIV Chicago TV schedule and streaming info.

The post 2025 LIV Chicago: TV schedule, streaming info, how to watch appeared first on Golf.

Let’s talk about TaylorMade’s Milled Grind wedges. Despite being a multiple Most Wanted winner, they’re arguably still one of the best-kept secrets in golf. Already in a good place, you wouldn’t blame TaylorMade for not doing much with the MG5 generation but what we’re seeing here are some of the most significant model-to-model updates in the lineup’s history.

Fully forged

It’s no secret that golfers love the soft feel associated with forging and many lament that many of the most popular wedges on the market aren’t forged. So, you’ll likely be excited to learn that MG5 wedges are fully forged from soft carbon steel. TaylorMade makes the case that, in addition to delivering that softer feel we all crave, forging yields more consistency from part to part than casting.

Of course, it’s also true that there’s plenty of milling happening here – sole, face, grooves, hosel – so TaylorMade was already doing plenty to boost consistency.

Refined shapes

There are some vagaries here but TaylorMade has made some subtle changes to the shape of the MG5. What they describe as refined leading-edge curvature and updated topline blend make it appear more symmetrical. There are definitely personal tastes at play but I haven’t always found the MG series the most visually appealing so I’m optimistic these refinements will make the wedge a bit more appealing – particularly at address.

Saw-milled grooves (because naming is everything)

Manufacturers love to name their grooves, so here you go: TaylorMade has introduced “saw-milled grooves.” The company claims the updated geometry brings them closer to USGA limits. They get there via steeper walls, sharper edge radii and tighter tolerances.

With four days of match play remaining, the 2025 U.S. Women's Amateur at Bandon Dunes has already left a mark.

The post A historic Bandon round, a Golf Channel cameo: Scenes from a record-setting U.S. Women’s Am appeared first on Golf.

How to watch the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship on Thursday in Memphis, including full FedEx St. Jude Championship TV coverage.

The post 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship Thursday TV coverage: How to watch Round 1 appeared first on Golf.

Finding the right putter grip isn’t just about feel, it’s about control. Specifically, it’s about controlling your hands during the stroke. If your grip encourages less tension and a more consistent hand position, chances are you’re going to roll in more putts.

That’s the idea behind the Golf Pride Reverse Taper. It flips the script on traditional grip design by getting larger in the lower hand instead of tapering down. I put this grip on my putter for a few weeks to see if it would help my consistency on the greens.

What Is Reverse Taper Technology?

Golf Pride’s Reverse Taper is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a putter grip that gets thicker in the lower hand.

The goal when designing this grip was to optimize both hands in the stroke and help keep the putter face square through impact.

Here’s what it offers: