Golfing News & Blog Articles

As a new golfer, it will not take long to figure out that you will hit most of your shots in what’s called the “short game” (chipping, pitching, putting). The quicker you get better at these short shots, the easier it will be to lower your scores. Even if you can’t drive the ball 300 yards or hit your irons consistently every time, nothing should stop you from getting better around the greens. Here are some chipping and pitching basics to help get you started as you learn the game.

Chip versus pitch: What’s the difference?

Chipping and pitching are not the same. Understanding the differences between the two shots will help you choose which is the best to hit under which circumstances.

A chip shot has a low trajectory with a short swing that doesn’t spend much time in the air and rolls out toward the hole after it lands.

A pitch shot is a higher shot with a bigger swing and more spin. It’s used to hit over obstacles and when you want a softer landing on the green.

Club selection for chips and pitches

As you get better, the clubs you use to hit chips and pitches may expand and you may develop favorites. Generally, for chipping, you can take a less-lofted club while pitch shots require more loft.

Nothing lasts forever in golf – not your swing, not your lucky ball marker that mysteriously vanished mid-round and certainly not that driver you were convinced would add 20 yards (spoiler: it didn’t).

While golf equipment obsolescence is practically an industry business model, there are a few heroic companies that stand behind their products, not just through the honeymoon phase, but until death do you part.

There’s an expression in the tool world that applies perfectly to golf as well: “Buy once, cry once.” The idea is you spend a bit more upfront on higher quality, better or just the product you truly want. You cry initially at checkout but between longevity, performance and your unbridled joy of owning the thing you really wanted, you more than get what you pay for in the long run.

The reality is few things in the golf world (or even the golf-adjacent world) have lifetime warranties. One to two years is pretty standard and while that’s not terrible, it’s worth calling out brands that actually stand behind their products for the long haul.

In some cases (like Vortex) it’s “no questions asked” while others offer “limited lifetime warranties.” As an example, Peter Millar might (just spit-ballin’ here) warranty the zipper on your favorite Kiawah Island-branded hoodie against manufacturing defects but if your puppy decides to use that same zipper as a teething toy (asshole), you’re probably out of luck.

Unless you’re involved in the hockey or dance world, GRIT may be a brand you’ve never heard of. I fell squarely into this category and therefor was surprised to see a golf cart bag coming from a brand unknown to me.

Who is GRIT, anyways?

First and foremost, GRIT is a bag company. Their focus is solely on creating high-quality bags for a variety of sports and got their start in the hockey world. During the pandemic, hockey shut down and golf ramped up which helped them get the ball rolling on their original Tower cart bag. The 2.0 has been redesigned and improved to offer players who ride and push a better, more convenient golfing experience. While other major brands centralize their focus on clubs (and for good reason), GRIT’s sole focus is on creating the most functional bag possible.

Looks, design and function

“Utilitarian” was the first word that came to mind when I saw the Golf Tower 2.0. It has an industrial, rugged look that is built to hold up to whatever may be thrown its way. The square design helps it stand out in a sea of cylindrical bags. One nagging problem with traditional golf bags is the twisting and rotating once strapped onto the back of the cart. Through testing the Golf Tower 2.0, I can say that it does a better job of staying squarely in place. It’s different – but in a good way. The more I look at the square design, the more I like it.

All storage, excluding the large apparel pocket, is located on the back of the bag in a locker-style layout. This draws from their designs with their hockey bags and having dedicated storage sections for individual pieces of gear. The rangefinder/ball pocket is located at the top of the bag, which is a departure from traditional designs, and a large cooler pocket is located at the bottom. You’ll find zero side pockets on this bag, which is another unique design element to the Golf Tower 2.0

Convenient access is key

As mentioned, the rangefinder/ball pocket is located at the top of the bag for quicker access. At first, this didn’t seem like that big of a deal to me. I normally don’t consider it hard to bend over and grab a ball out of the lower pocket of my golf bag but, man, this has been breath of fresh air. The magnetic closure pops open with a simple pull. For older golfers who may have a harder time bending down, this is a huge plus.

When driving to and from the golf course, the last thing we need is our gear to be scattered around the trunk of our vehicle. Keeping everything neat, clean and organized saves time in the parking lot so that rushing to the tee box unprepared becomes a thing of the past. Check out the items below to ensure that you keep your gear, plus other essentials you may need, organized and ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Ghost Golf Shoe Bag

This shoe storage bag from Ghost Golf is the perfect accessory to keep in your car so that your shoes are easy to grab when heading to the course. This bag is large enough to hold shoes up to size 14 and is water-resistant. A quilted PU lining is easy to clean and adds a touch of style. Keep your shoes organized and car clutter-free.

Bag Boy Nitron Auto-Open Push Cart

The perfect accessory for your walking round, the Nitron push cart from Bag Boy features Nitro Piston Technology, a powered auto assist open mechanism. It folds down into a small and compact package, making storing it in your car a breeze for when you feel like getting some extra steps in out on the course.

Reshoevn8r Sneaker Cleaner Wipes

Nobody likes dirty shoes. But, let’s face it, sometimes you don’t have time to clean your kicks after every wear. That’s where the Sneaker Wipes from Reshoevn8r come in. Each wipe features a smooth side for quick cleanup and a textured side for stubborn stains or dried mud. These wipes are safe to use on leather, plastic, vinyl and rubber and work great on midsole scuffs. Keep your shoes fresh with these wipes.

A golf umbrella

This extra-large umbrella features lightweight fiberglass shaft and a double-canopy vented design to resist strong winds. “Automatic open” makes deploying this umbrella a breeze when weather strikes on short notice. 210T water-repellent fabric keeps you dry and allows for quick moisture drainage.

Rory McIlroy's driver wasn't the only one the USGA deemed nonconforming in testing ahead of this week's PGA Championship. Scottie Scheffler confirmed Sunday after his five-stroke victory that he also was forced to use a new driver for the tournament.

Jon Rahm made it close for a while, but Scottie Scheffler's inevitability hung in the Charlotte air all day.

After being tied for the PGA Championship lead with nine holes to play, Jon Rahm came up seven shots short of winner Scottie Scheffler on Sunday.

Things got interesting for a bit before he cruises to a five-stroke win over English, DeChambeau and Riley. Plus, Scheffler by the numbers, the repercussions of driver test failures, and Quotables.

Scottie Scheffler, whose three-shot lead was erased during the final round, held steady to win the PGA Championship by five shots as Jon Rahm stumbled down the stretch.

Scottie Scheffler's golf is the key to his brilliance, but his secret is about something much deeper than that.

The post After an emphatic PGA, Scottie Scheffler told the world his secret appeared first on Golf.

Even as Scottie Scheffler faltered early on Sunday at the PGA Championship, he never doubted the final outcome. That's what makes him great.

The post Even when there was doubt, PGA champ Scottie Scheffler had none appeared first on Golf.

Jon Rahm may have lost the PGA Championship Sunday, but it didn't look like a defeat. It looked like the start of something big.

The post Jon Rahm lost the PGA Championship, but it didn’t look that way from up close appeared first on Golf.

After Jon Rahm's PGA Championship flameout, he said he found solace in the words of basketball great Charles Barkley.

The post Jon Rahm ‘embarrassed’ by PGA collapse. Charles Barkley’s wisdom brought solace appeared first on Golf.

After winning the PGA Championship, Scottie Scheffler revealed he failed a driver test and called for better testing protocols.

The post Scottie Scheffler reveals failed driver test, calls for more ‘robust’ protocols appeared first on Golf.

Brandel Chamblee, a Golf Channel analyst, blamed LIV Golf for Jon Rahm’s and Bryson DeChambeau’s stumble at the PGA Championship.

The post ‘Not playing against best’: Brandel Chamblee blames LIV for Rahm, Bryson stumble  appeared first on Golf.

GOLF's editors discuss Scottie Scheffler's dominant PGA Championship victory and what it means moving forward.

The post Tour Confidential: Scottie Scheffler’s PGA win, chasing Tiger and Jack appeared first on Golf.

Elite men’s professional golf has never had so much money floating around it, and everybody seems to be on edge, more now than ever before.

The post If the pros seemed on edge at the PGA Championship, they were appeared first on Golf.

After a Masters showdown with Rory McIlroy and a PGA battle with Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau opened up on some potential changes.

The post ‘Baffled’ Bryson DeChambeau teases ‘tricks up sleeve’ after PGA close call appeared first on Golf.

Rory McIlroy was one of roughly 50 players whose drivers were tested before the PGA Championship as part of a normal procedure aimed at monitoring club limits.

Scottie Scheffler delivered a clinic over the closing stretch at Quail Hollow for a 6-under 65 and a three-shot lead going into the final round of the PGA Championship.