Choosing the right golf ball is about measurable differences in speed, spin and trajectory. Maxfli has built a reputation for delivering true tour-level performance without the tour-level price tag. Inside the Maxfli family, the Tour and Tour X behave very differently and the 2025 MyGolfSpy Ball Test makes those differences clearer than ever.

Here is some more detailed information on where the two balls separate, where they overlap and which one is more likely to fit your game.

Maxfli Tour X

Maxfli positions the Tour X as the “higher performance” model in the lineup and the test data backs that up. It was one of the fastest balls tested at high swing speed and it led the mid swing-speed driver distance category. For golfers who value ball speed, Tour X delivers exactly what it promises.

Short-game performance was strong.

In the 35-yard wedge test, Tour X spun north of 5,900 rpm, placing it alongside several premium tour balls for greenside control.

Given the success of the Internet Invitational—while the PGA Tour’s fall season marches on in relative obscurity—our team got into a debate over the popularity of YouTube golf.

Here is this week’s question:

Will the world of YouTube golf, TGL and alternative forms of golf entertainment eventually become a bigger draw than the PGA Tour? 

Sean Fairholm: We saw last week with the Internet Invitational how golf audiences were hooked by the drama—manufactured or not—at an event full of YouTubers and influencers. 

Despite that tournament’s overwhelming success (well over 23 million views so far) and the rise of YouTube golf as a whole, it will take a long time to knock the Tour off its perch as the top golf entertainment option. 

Finding a great golf hat is easy. Finding one you can wear on or off the course without looking like you just walked out of a pro shop is a different story. Most golfers want something that can survive a full round, handle sweat, heat or the occasional rain shower and still look normal at the grocery store, a kid’s game or an après-golf barbecue.

That’s the goal of this list: five hats that deliver real performance benefits without shouting “golf gear!” Whether you want something durable, subtle or something you can personalize, these are some great options.

Melin A-Game Icon Hydro

The Melin A-Game Icon Hydro is the closest thing to a “buy it once, wear it everywhere” hat thanks to its hydrophobic coating, floatable construction and breathable materials that hold up far better than most performance caps. I bought a Melin hat for my husband this year and now I get it. Even though it’s pricey, it’s become his go-to for golf, fishing, errands and everything in between.

Palm Golf Co. Local Snapback Trucker

Palm has been a quiet MyGolfSpy favorite for years and the Local Snapback Trucker is a great example of why. It’s clean, wearable and not overly “golf branded.” The mid-crown fit, woven patch and cotton/poly blend give it everyday versatility so you can wear it to the range and then go out with friends without looking like you’re still in golf mode.

UNRL Legacy Snapback (Mid-Pro)

UNRL gives golfers choices. You can go full UNRL Golf, pick something with minimal branding or stick with the simple UNRL logo. The Legacy Snapback uses a vintage rope look with modern touches like laser-cut ventilation and performance materials that hold up on hot rounds. If you want a hat that leans into your lifestyle without losing performance, UNRL is a great choice.

Malbon just dropped their archive sale, and it’s the move if you’ve been eyeing their golf-meets-streetwear aesthetic but weren’t ready to commit at full price.

Real talk: Malbon’s pricing can sting at retail. But at 60% off, you’re getting quality fabrication and design language that sets you apart from standard golf gear.

Check sizes quickly. Archive sales move fast, especially on sought-after pieces like the nylon windshirts and performance polos. This is your entry point into a brand that’s been reshaping what golf apparel looks like.

The post Malbon’s Archive Sale Is Live appeared first on MyGolfSpy.

If you see range balls on the course, is it considered practice to bat them away? Rules Guy has the answer.

The post Rules Guy: Is batting away range balls on the course considered practice? appeared first on Golf.

Anthony Kim had a first in 14 years, the World No. 1 snuck up on us, a LIV signing could create opportunity and more in the Monday Finish.

The post 5 unexpected winners entering pro golf’s ‘offseason’ | Monday Finish appeared first on Golf.

Months before his debut win on the PGA Tour, Sami Valimaki made a key change with his golf ball, fueling his career-best season.

The post Sami Valimaki switched to this popular golf ball before his first win appeared first on Golf.

Putting is often cited as the most critical part of a golfer's game. Mastering your putts can drastically lower your scores. Here are some essential tips to help you sink more putts and reduce those costly three-putts.

Setup and Grip

A consistent setup and grip are the foundation of a solid stroke.

The Perfect Stance

Your stance should provide stability and allow your shoulders to swing the putter freely.

• Eyes over the ball: To ensure you are seeing the line correctly, your eyes should be directly over or slightly inside the ball.
• Narrow Stance: Keep your feet shoulder-width apart or narrower. This promotes a quiet lower body and isolates the shoulder-and-arm movement.
• Ball Position: The ball should generally be placed just forward of the center of your stance, close to the instep of your front foot.

Gripping the Putter

There are many grip styles, but the goal is always to eliminate wrist action, which can lead to inconsistency.

I built my dream home simulator in my garage with a Full Swing KIT Studio. Now I’m ready to share all the DIY details.

The post I built my dream home golf simulator in my garage. Here’s how appeared first on Golf.

With fewer seaside holes than its sibling South, Te Arai North makes the most of its dramatic inland stretches.

The post How Te Arai North cracked GOLF’s World Top 100 rankings appeared first on Golf.

When DP World Tour pro Joost Luiten posted a complaint about his exclusion from a big-money event, fellow pros chimed in to support him.

The post ‘Disgrace’: Pros protest exclusion from big-money event appeared first on Golf.

Our Sean Zak went abroad. From Rory McIlroy's tears to Jon Rahm's absence to next year's epic Open venue, here's what he found in two weeks.

The post Rory, Rahm, pro golf’s future: 8 takeaways from a wild week abroad appeared first on Golf.

Max McGreevy's long birdie make at the RSM Classic earned him a big reward. It also meant two other pros lost their PGA Tour cards.

The post ‘I hate to hear that:’ Pro’s birdie causes 2 friends to lose PGA Tour cards appeared first on Golf.

Nicklaus Companies, the golf empire named for one of golf’s greatest names, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Before we go off half-cocked, please note that this is not Jack Nicklaus filing for bankruptcy. It is Nicklaus Companies, the house that Jack built and ultimately tore down after winning a $50-million lawsuit against the company he founded.

Sound confusing? Let’s see if we can clear it up a bit.

What is the Nicklaus Companies?

The Nicklaus Companies is a global business built on Jack’s name. It includes Nicklaus Design, one of the world’s largest golf architecture and golf real estate development firms. Nicklaus Design has created more than 420 courses worldwide. The Nicklaus Companies also includes the lifestyle, marketing, licensing and golf equipment businesses under the Nicklaus and Golden Bear brands.

More importantly, it represents the commercial side of Jack’s legacy. Basically, anything you can buy with Jack’s name, image or likeness on it comes from the Nicklaus Companies. That includes everything from Jack Nicklaus wines and calendars to Jack Nicklaus headwear, apparel and golf balls. Collaborations using Jack’s name with companies such as Vice Golf and Stix also fall under the Nicklaus Companies purview.

The indoor golf simulator market is nearing $2 billion and is expected to surpass $3 billion by 2030. 

Maybe you’re able to put one in your own home (good for you) but more likely you are heading to indoor golf simulator clubs.

They’ve exploded over the past few years with major players like X-Golf, Five Iron and Back Nine leading the way.

Was this just a boom because of new tech or is this model built for the long haul?

Let’s compare the big guys to each other and to local spots and we’ll try to answer the bigger questions about where this business is heading.

Every middle schooler’s least favorite game is Truth or Dare.

When was the last time someone actually picked dare when faced with the two choices?

Most often, the participants opt to tell the truth to some obscure question rather than risk subjecting themselves to an embarrassing dare.

For Weston Maughan, collegiate golfer and former PGA professional now working at one of the Silicon Slopes (that’s Utah County for those who don’t know) many tech companies, a dare isn’t a game.

It’s a challenge to do something, be something or create something. And the truth is that a friendly dare from one of Maughan’s friends led him to create one of the better-known boutique golf brands in the business.

The “strong grip” has become one of golf’s most misunderstood quick fixes. Chronic slicers are told to strengthen their grip and, as a result, a lot of them just end up with new problems.

Here’s what I’ve learned: a strong grip works brilliantly for some golfers but creates chaos for others. The difference isn’t the grip itself; it’s whether it matches your swing pattern, release style and the shots you need to hit.

A strong grip isn’t just “more knuckles”

A “strong” grip means that both hands are rotated clockwise on the club (for right-handers). You see three or four knuckles on your lead hand at address and your trail hand sits more underneath the grip.

But here’s what many instructors don’t emphasize: changing to a strong grip doesn’t just change your hands; it changes your whole body. It changes your entire release pattern, your clubface rotation through impact and how your body must move to square the face. You’re not making a small adjustment; you’re fundamentally altering how the club works through the hitting zone.

I’ve seen golfers strengthen their grip on Monday and then show up on Wednesday, snap-hooking everything. They changed the grip but kept everything else the same. It’s like putting a turbocharger in your car and being surprised when you spin out in every turn.

The other day at the driving range, I overheard two amateur golfers working through “a coaching session.” One man was hitting balls while the other stood behind him offering a rapid-fire stream of swing advice.

To be fair, he meant well.

But in just a few minutes, he diagnosed everything imaginable.

“The turn is your problem. If you’re not turning through it, you can’t launch it.”
“But before you worry about the turn, we’ve got to fix your plane — you get a little upright, and then your lead shoulder has nowhere to go.”
“Alright, hit a few. Let’s see what that does.”
“Okay, now you’re hanging on. When you hang on, the weight doesn’t transfer and the arm flips.”
“Actually, the real issue is the slide. Mix that with the flip and you’re just wiping across it.”
“That one was better… but the face was totally shut.”

And then came my favorite line of all:

Often overlooked by American golfers, Utrecht De Pan is a standout work in Harry Colt's great Golden Age portfolio.

The post How this Netherlands gem cracked our World Top 100 ranking appeared first on Golf.

All eyes are on the R&A now that the LA Olympic competition dates are set. A decision on the timing and venue of the 2028 Open Championship is expected soon. Plus, a brief weekend overview.