Golfing News & Blog Articles

My first encounter with Runner Putters, a unique putter company from France, was not my proudest moment.

It was the 2023 PGA Show and Runner founder Simon Linot was walking me through his rather fascinating putter fitting system. My mind, unfortunately, was focusing on this club that looked more like a foot than a putter.

Linot was laying out a perfectly sound and logical explanation as to why his putters deserved my attention. All I could think of, however, was that this was maybe the goofiest-looking putter I’d ever seen. Even when he showed me empirical evidence of how much my stroke had improved, I kept thinking that this was maybe the goofiest-looking putter I’d ever seen.

I would soon learn, however, the truth behind an old French saying.

L’habit ne fait pas le moine. (The outfit doesn’t make the monk.)

Growing up, my dad was a die-hard Phil Mickelson fan. As a lefty, he loved seeing a left-handed player succeed on the PGA Tour. Every week, he’d cheer Phil on—and every week, after another missed putt, my sisters and I would inform him (as only kids can) that righties are clearly better than lefties.

But when Phil won the 2021 PGA Championship at the age of 50, becoming the oldest major winner of all time, I saw him differently. He was holding on to something we all hope for: that we’re never done and that golf gives us a way to keep competing.

Regardless of how you feel about Phil, his comments, his move to LIV or his unorthodox style, some of the things he’s done on the course work. I wouldn’t follow any pro blindly but these are three tips Mickelson has repeated for years. And that’s probably because they work.

Weight forward and hands ahead

Phil Mickelson is famous for high-spinning flop shots in pressure situations. Those are the shots we remember but they aren’t the ones that led him to 45 PGA Tour victories.

In one of his short-game clinics, Phil breaks down what he calls “Chipping 101”, the foundation that everything else around the green builds from. These are the three keys he uses to hit solid chip shots.

Golf shot tips are different than golf swing tips. Shot tips are all about the ability to adapt to lies, control ball flight and get the golf ball to do what you want it to do. It doesn’t matter if you are a scratch golfer or a 25 handicap. These shot tips could be what make or break your next round of golf. These are simple, practical adjustments to help you play better and smarter golf.

How to hit off a downslope

Downslope lies around the green can turn even simple chips into disasters. The key is learning how to match your body to the slope so you don’t chunk or blade it.

Ball Position: Move it back in your stance.Weight: Stay forward, don’t fall back or try to help it in the air.Shoulders/Hips: Tilt to match the slope so you can swing with it.Club choice: Use more loft than usual, a 60-degree wedge instead of a 56 offsets the lower launch.Swing thought: Low finish, clip the ball and let it run.

This shot comes out lower but more consistently once you know how to set up for it.

Learn to set the clubface square at setup

Before adjusting your swing path or ball position, ensure the face is aligned correctly. An open or misaligned clubface at address ruins your shot before you even take the club back. Don’t just align your feet; make sure the clubface is pointing where you want the ball to start.

Set the face square and then place your hands on the club. Some golfers twist the face shut or open it as they grip it.

Golf is a social game. There are times when a solitary walk down a fairway brings solace and comfort. The silence can put a busy mind at ease and reset a rabbiting heart. 

But isolation is not sustainable.  

There is a rich history of clubs across the globe. Storied traditions lining the halls of these sporting and social cathedrals are rarely seen by the uninitiated. Originally a divide of the haves and the have nots, the who’s who and the elites, an escape for those desirous of the seclusion of an upper-class lifestyle. 

But times change, and golf evolves. 

With the explosion of the internet and social media, we’ve seen the arrival of a new “country club” without a physical embodiment of structure or routing. One built on connection and appreciation. A community of like-minded individuals in pursuit of a singular goal.

The “Online” Country Club

Here’s something to add to my never-ending and ever-expanding List of Things I Didn’t Know:

Shorter people often struggle to find clothing that fits well off the rack.

At just under 5’11”, I honestly did not know that.

According to that dauntless source of knowledge known as the worldwide web, standard sizing assumes people of average height or taller. That can lead to all kinds of challenges for the shorter of those among us, particularly men. Pants that are too long, shirts with sleeves that extend past the wrists or torsos that bunch up and jackets that can swallow up smaller frames are common frustrations.

The fashion world, however, appears to be catching on. Companies such as Peter Manning, Ash & Erie and Under 5’10” are specializing in casual wear for shorter guys. Nicholas James, however, is focusing on premium apparel for male golfers 5’9” and under.

Pro Hannah Gregg called Ladies European Tour officials on her way home from the Amundi German Masters. She had to report a DQ.

The post Pro calls tour officials on way home. She had to report disqualification appeared first on Golf.

Eddie Pepperell was in the midst of his strongest start since a six-week break from pro golf to recover from burnout. Then came a brutal WD.

The post Why this struggling pro’s WD was more wrenching than most appeared first on Golf.

The golf term “birdie” — meaning one stroke under par on a hole — actually comes from early American slang.

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Origin Story

In the early 1900s, the word “bird” was popular slang for something excellent or impressive, much like saying “cool” or “awesome” today.

According to golf lore, the term was first coined in Atlantic City, New Jersey, at the Atlantic City Country Club:

• During a round, golfer Ab Smith hit a great approach shot and called it “a bird of a shot.”

• After sinking the putt for one under par, the group agreed to call such a score a “birdie.”

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Why It Stuck

• The term caught on quickly in American golf circles and spread internationally.

In this edition of Play Smart, we break down Padraig Harrington's mantra that helps him deliver under pressure.

The post The ‘simple’ mental trick Padraig Harrington uses to perform under pressure appeared first on Golf.

Mizzen+Main's stylish, comfortable apparel transitions seamlessly from the office to the course. Shop Sepp Straka's favorite pieces here.

The post Sepp Straka’s favorite Mizzen+Main pieces work on and off the course appeared first on Golf.

The Callaway Ti Fusion set of irons blends speed, forgiveness, and clean lines beautifully into a players distance club that looks the part.

The post Callaway Ti Fusion irons: Forged power for the modern player appeared first on Golf.

Shane Lowry spoke with GOLF's Dylan Dethier about his Irish roots and what part of the 2025 Open at Portrush he is most excited about.

The post Shane Lowry on his childhood, his family and the Open’s return to Portrush appeared first on Golf.

Lexi Thompson came close (and brought jokes), Padraig Harrington won big (and spoke wise), the PGA Tour's newest winner overcame his Airbnb.

The post Lexi’s close call, Paddy’s In-N-Out, Airbnb checkout time | Monday Finish appeared first on Golf.

Pound for pound, two-time major winner Justin Thomas is among the longest players on the planet. Here's how he generates so much speed.

The post Justin Thomas’ 5 basics for pounding longer drives off the tee appeared first on Golf.

The R&A announced that it will host a "last chance" on-site qualifier on the Monday before the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

The post R&A will host ‘last chance’ qualifier on Monday before 2026 Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

The putter that Patrick Reed used in his first LIV win held special meaning because of the name that was printed on it.

The post Patrick Reed’s winning putter at LIV Dallas had sentimental meaning appeared first on Golf.

Aldrich Potgieter won for the first time on the PGA Tour after a tweak to his Titleist GT2 driver. Here's why you should try one.

The post Aldrich Potgieter thrives with Titleist GT2 driver. Here’s why you should try it appeared first on Golf.

The early 2025 John Deere Classic odds have major champion Jason Day among the betting favorites to win. Here's what you need to know.

The post 2025 John Deere Classic odds: Jason Day among betting favorites appeared first on Golf.

How to watch the PGA Tour's 2025 John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run this week, including a full John Deere Classic TV schedule.

The post 2025 John Deere Classic: TV schedule, streaming info, tee times appeared first on Golf.

Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.

If that’s true, I want to live in a world where Tyler Nguyen sells an awful lot of golf gloves.

Unless you’re an aggressive Instagram user, you’ve probably never heard of Tyler or his company, Forelinks Golf. Once you get to know him, however, you can’t help but root for him.

I can’t tell you that Tyler has revolutionized golf gloves. Heck, Tyler himself will tell you he hasn’t reinvented anything. What he has done, however, is carve out a niche in a very competitive end of the golf industry. He’s done it by using the tools at his disposal and the kind of persistence that’s more prevalent in young people than many of us choose to believe.

His story, and that of Forelinks Golf, is quintessentially American.