Golfing News & Blog Articles

Charlie Woods, wearing the Sunday red made famous by his playing partner and father, Tiger Woods, made his first career hole-in-one at the PNC Championship.

Just like the coming of Old Man Winter and jolly old St. Nick, golf’s Launch Season is one of life’s certainties. And just like a snowstorm, it starts with a flake or two (witness the Cleveland HiBore XL). Next come the flurries and a light dusting (Sub 70, COBRA, et al), just enough for those of us dreaming of a white Christmas.

Come January, however, we’re in for Snowmageddon.

Shoveling through all that … snow … is daunting so now is as good a time as any to prepare for what’s coming. It’s easy to be overwhelmed but just like your neighbor with the snowblower, we’re here to lend a helping hand.

Launch Season is loaded with myths, realities, truth and common misconceptions that are said many times, many ways. In the spirit of the season, we’ve made a list, checked it twice and, just like Santa, we’ve culled the naughty from the nice.

So fire up the sleigh, fellow GolfSpies. Let the Reindeer Games begin.

I’ve been testing launch monitors for years. And while the enterprise solutions are always accurate (think Foresight GC4 and Trackman), they aren’t affordable for mere mortals like you and me.

Do you have 20 Gs lying around for a launch monitor? Me, neither.

For years, finding a unit that rivals the accuracy of the “big boys” without the same unattainable price tag has seemed impossible. But over the past few years (really, just the last two), two options have surfaced that are better than all the rest.

Looking for an affordable, accurate launch monitor? In my mind, there are only two choices. Rapsodo MLM2PRO or the new Garmin Approach R50.

Why MLM2PRO?

The MLM2PRO is definitively the best value in the launch monitor space. At less than $800, this camera-based unit has tested very well in all regards, especially accuracy. Its accuracy rivals more expensive options from Foresight/Bushnell when used with the Titleist RPT golf balls.

Key highlights

Immersive gameplay: Testers found Golf+ an incredibly immersive and realistic golfing experience, simulating real-world conditions and courses with impressive accuracy.Wide range of features: From multiplayer modes to putting practice, Golf+ offered a variety of options that enhanced fun and skill-building.Ease of use: Testers praised Golf+ for its intuitive setup and seamless integration with VR devices, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.Improvement in skills: Golf+ proved to be more than just a game, helping testers refine their swings and putting consistency through detailed feedback and realistic scenarios.

First impressions and setup

The first thing that stood out to testers about Golf+ was how easy it was to set up and begin using. The simplicity of the installation process and the intuitive interface made it a hassle-free experience, even for those less familiar with VR.

mynerds was pleasantly surprised by how quickly he could get started with Golf+. He appreciated the smooth onboarding process and how the game’s interface made navigation straightforward.

“Setup was seamless. I was up and running in no time, and the interface made everything so easy to understand. It felt like the game was designed for anyone to pick up and play.”

GregGarner echoed this sentiment, noting that Golf+ quickly became part of his routine. The straightforward nature of the setup made it easy to jump into a round of golf without any complications.

“The ease of setup was a huge win. I didn’t have to wrestle with settings or spend hours trying to figure it out. Golf+ just works.”

England's John Parry won the Mauritius Open title for his first victory on the DP World Tour in 14 years.

Tiger Woods, competing for the first time since back surgery in September, and son Charlie had a share of the lead after the opening round of the PNC Championship on Saturday.

Tiger Woods and 15-year-old son Charlie will again compete in the PNC Championship, where they will tee off Saturday alongside Justin Leonard and son Luke.

Maintaining proper balance throughout your golf swing is crucial for consistent, accurate shots. A balanced stance ensures solid contact with the ball and helps generate power without sacrificing control.

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Why Balance Matters

• Improves Ball Striking: Balance allows you to hit the ball cleanly with more consistency.
• Prevents Swing Errors: Poor balance can lead to off-center hits, slices, hooks, or missed shots.
• Generates Power: A strong, balanced stance provides the foundation for generating clubhead speed and distance.

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How to Maintain Balance in Your Swing

1. Proper Setup

   • Stance: Keep your feet shoulder-width apart for stability.
   • Weight Distribution: Distribute your weight evenly across both feet, with a slight bend in your knees. You should feel balanced between your toes and heels.
   • Posture: Maintain a straight back with a slight bend at the hips. Avoid slouching or leaning too far forward.

2. During the Backswing

   • Turn, Don't Sway: Focus on rotating your hips and shoulders around your spine rather than swaying your body side-to-side.
   • Center of Gravity: Keep your weight evenly distributed, with your weight shifting slightly to your back foot without falling off balance.

3. The Downswing

   • Smooth Transition: Initiate the downswing with your lower body (hips and legs) while keeping your upper body steady. Avoid jerking or forcing the motion.
   • Weight Shift: Gradually transfer your weight from the back foot to the front foot. Aim to finish your swing with most of your weight on your front foot, maintaining balance in your follow-through.

4. Finish Strong

LIV Golf is looking younger as it adds new players to the team rosters, the most recent the Cleeks announcing it was signing Frederik Kjettrup of Denmark, who finished among the top 10 in the PGA Tour University ranking at Florida State.

Fred Couples tuned in for part of the LIV-PGA Tour Showdown in Las Vegas earlier this week. Here's what he thought about it.

The post Fred Couples called the LIV-PGA Showdown ‘weird.’ Here’s why appeared first on Golf.

Derek Sprague has been selected as the next CEO at the PGA of America, the first time a club professional has been chosen to lead the organization in nearly 20 years.

Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker recorded the first successful free kick field goal since 1976.

The PGA of America has named TPC Sawgrass general manager Derek Sprague its next chief executive officer, the association said Friday.

The post PGA of America names Derek Sprague its next chief executive officer appeared first on Golf.

The golf legend and his son, Charlie, teed off at the PNC Championship this weekend. Here are some of their highlights.

Fred Couples is making his PNC Championship debut this week. Playing alongside him will be his teenage stepson, Hunter Hanneman.

The post Fred Couples’ ‘silent assassin’ teammate at PNC? His stepson appeared first on Golf.

Find out how to watch Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods play in the 2024 PNC Championship Pro-Am on Friday, including full Friday TV coverage.

The post How to watch Tiger Woods, Charlie Woods on Friday at 2024 PNC Championship Pro-Am: TV, streaming appeared first on Golf.

At 89, Gary Player has six children, 22 grandchildren and an unusual way of selecting his playing partner in the PNC Championship.

The post Gary Player decides grandson playing partner with tense 18-hole qualifier appeared first on Golf.

2024 was supposed to be the year of reunification in pro golf. Instead, it was a roller coaster of rumors that hasn't inspired a deal yet.

The post PGA Tour-Saudi PIF relations ruled the year. But not how we wanted appeared first on Golf.

With the fourth GOLFZON Tour match complete, what began as a 12-team competition for a $150,000 grand prize is now a 8-team battle.

The post GOLFZON Tour’s Team Houston defeats Team Mexico in Match 4 appeared first on Golf.

We are less than three weeks from the beginning of the TGL’s inaugural season.

The new simulator league is starting to ramp up its media efforts including the release of several hole designs that players will encounter once play gets started Jan. 7.

Given that the game is being played on a simulator—except all shots within 50 yards—the architecture element of the league is an open book. These holes can be anything. There doesn’t have to be any consideration for playability or fairness given that these are virtual designs being played by professionals in a match-play format that is strictly for entertainment.

Our first looks over the past few months have confirmed that this will be a lot more Golden Tee than Augusta National.

While there are some reasons to be skeptical about TGL, it’s possible that a league headlined by Tiger Woods (and being broadcast on ESPN) will exceed expectations to draw big ratings. If you are interested in learning more about the format, take a look at the story I wrote earlier this year.