Golfing News & Blog Articles

“Smash factor” is one of those stats that gets thrown around by golfers who may not even understand it. Players go for a fitting and suddenly they’re talking about ball speed, club speed and smash factor, often without really understanding what any of it means. In this post, we’ll break it down clearly: what smash factor is, why it matters and who’s leading the PGA Tour in 2025. If you’re looking to improve your smash factor numbers, we’ll show you what it actually means and exactly how to do it.

What is smash factor?

Smash factor is the ratio of ball speed to clubhead speed. It tells you how efficiently you’re transferring energy into the ball. The formula is simple:

Smash Factor = Ball Speed ÷ Clubhead Speed

A higher smash factor means more distance for the same swing speed. The Tour average is 1.499.

PGA Tour’s smash factor leaders (2025)

These golfers have the highest average smash factor off the tee on the PGA Tour through May 2025. You’ll see how tight these margins are and it helps explain how precise these players are when they hit tee shots.

Golf is a broken record.

Every year, we hear from golfers that OEM prices are getting out of control and that this year’s drivers aren’t any better than last year’s.

Every year, however, TaylorMade, Callaway, PING and Titleist lead in iron and driver sales by a fairly significant margin. Despite our moaning and wailing and gnashing of teeth, we as consumers do equate price with quality and performance. Part of that is human nature and part of that is what we call brandwashing.

Like it or not, friends, marketing works. That’s why the big OEMs spend as much as they do on it.

However, we’re not here to talk about that today.

If you’re a fan of Bryson, Grant or Bob Does Sports, this list is going to keep you entertained for a while. From impressive play by Bryson, Grant and Scottie Scheffler to on-course chaos with Bob and crew, there’s something here for every golf fan.

The Dude Perfect and Bryson video also ensures that all the young golf fans have something fun to watch this month.

1. Can I Beat Scottie Scheffler If I Start 5 Under Par?

Channel: Grant Horvat Golf
Views: 3.7 million

Grant Horvat takes on World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in his latest challenge. If you’re a Scheffler fan, you’ll want to watch this one. He gives up some thoughts on his faith, his arrest at the 2024 PGA Championship and how he actually feels about YouTube golf.

2. Can I Break 50 With Dude Perfect?

Channel: Bryson DeChambeau
Views: 3.2 million

“Too steep” is one of the most common diagnoses in golf instruction. Players say it, coaches say it, your playing partners probably say it to you. However, like most golf buzzwords, it’s often misunderstood or, at least, oversimplified. A steep swing isn’t automatically a bad swing. There are times when a steep swing is just what you need to pull off the shot you want. Here’s what “steep” means, why it can help (or hurt) and how to tell what kind of swing pattern you’re dealing with.

What is a steep swing?

A steep downswing means the club is coming down on a more vertical path, usually outside the ideal swing plane. It often happens when the clubhead moves over the hands instead of staying behind them in transition.

If you’re a player who slices, rotates a bit early or you like to go hard at the ball from the top of your swing, you may have a steep golf swing. The steep swing typically puts pressure on timing and leads to compensations like early extension, chicken-winging or glancing blows.

When do steep swings hurt your game?

If your swing is too steep, your most common misses will be:

Pulls that start left and stay leftPull-fades or slicesContact issues like toe strikes and thin shotsFeeling like you have to “save” every shot with late wrist action

Most steep swings are the result of a few common patterns: rotating too early, locking your arms to your chest or trying to manufacture lag by pulling the handle down. Each one throws the club out in front of your hands. The result: a steep swing path.

Scottie Scheffler just became the first player since Tiger Woods in 2000 to win back-to-back titles at the Memorial Tournament. It didn’t come easy. Ben Griffin made a strong push heading into Sunday, but Scheffler’s control and consistency under pressure once again separated him from the field.

Here’s a full look at how much each player earned at the 2025 Memorial Tournament:

2025 Memorial Tournament Prize Money Payouts

Position	Player	Score	Earnings
1	Scottie Scheffler	-10	$4,000,000
2	Ben Griffin	-6	$2,200,000
3	Sepp Straka	-5	$1,400,000
4	Nick Taylor	-4	$1,000,000
T5	Maverick McNealy	-2	$800,000
T5	Russell Henley	-2	$800,000
T7	Brandt Snedeker	-1	$603,200
T7	Tom Hoge	-1	$603,200
T7	Rickie Fowler	-1	$603,200
T7	Jordan Spieth	-1	$603,200
T7	Keegan Bradley	-1	$603,200
T12	Patrick Cantlay	E	$415,000
T12	Taylor Pendrith	E	$415,000
T12	Harris English	E	$415,000
T12	Sam Burns	E	$415,000
T16	Ludvig Åberg	+1	$319,000
T16	Tommy Fleetwood	+1	$319,000
T16	Akshay Bhatia	+1	$319,000
T16	Sungjae Im	+1	$319,000
T20	Collin Morikawa	+2	$250,666
T20	Robert MacIntyre	+2	$250,666
T20	Ryan Fox	+2	$250,666
T23	Ryan Gerard	+3	$208,000
T23	Shane Lowry	+3	$208,000
T25	Max Greyserman	+4	$159,000
T25	Viktor Hovland	+4	$159,000
T25	Cameron Young	+4	$159,000
T25	Matt Kuchar	+4	$159,000
T25	Corey Conners	+4	$159,000
T25	Xander Schauffele	+4	$159,000
T31	Jacob Bridgeman	+5	$114,857
T31	Matt Fitzpatrick	+5	$114,857
T31	Sam Stevens	+5	$114,857
T31	Adam Scott	+5	$114,857
T31	Si Woo Kim	+5	$114,857
T31	Tony Finau	+5	$114,857
T31	Justin Thomas	+5	$114,857
38	Hideki Matsuyama	+6	$94,000
T39	Alex Noren	+7	$82,000
T39	Thomas Detry	+7	$82,000
T39	Stephan Jaeger	+7	$82,000
T39	Mackenzie Hughes	+7	$82,000
T39	Bud Cauley	+7	$82,000
T44	Justin Rose	+8	$62,400
T44	Michael Kim	+8	$62,400
T44	Nick Dunlap	+8	$62,400
T44	Jhonattan Vegas	+8	$62,400
T44	Eric Cole	+8	$62,400
T49	Min Woo Lee	+10	$53,000
T49	Davis Thompson	+10	$53,000
T51	Harry Higgs	+11	$49,500
T51	Andrew Novak	+11	$49,500
T51	Max Homa	+11	$49,500
T51	Adam Hadwin	+11	$49,500
55	Denny McCarthy	+12	$47,000
56	Wyndham Clark	+13	$46,000
57	Austin Eckroat	+17	$45,000

The post 2025 Memorial Tournament Prize Money Payouts appeared first on MyGolfSpy.

Introduction

Titleist’s GT fairway woods and hybrids were designed to deliver maximum versatility, speed and control for golfers of varying swing speeds. With a refined crown design, improved weight positioning and performance-enhancing adjustability, the GT line aims to complement Titleist’s driver offerings for 2025.

In this test, MyGolfSpy Forum members gman8966 and cksurfdude each evaluated different models within the GT fairway wood and hybrid family. Both testers brought different perspectives: one a high-speed, data-focused engineer; the other a seasoned mid-speed golfer with a focus on course management and reliability. This dual test offers valuable insight into how the GT clubs perform across different swing types, setups and play styles.

Key highlights

Both testers found the GT fairway woods to be incredibly versatile from a variety of lies.The GT hybrids delivered excellent ball speed and forgiveness although the smaller shape of the GT2 may not suit everyone.Sound and feel were standout features especially compared to other carbon crown clubs on the market.Titleist’s traditional clean design and understated detailing reinforced visual confidence at address.Ball flight was high with excellent stopping power especially with the GT3 4-wood and GT2 4-hybrid.Both testers agreed the GT line is among the best-looking and best-feeling woods they have tested.

Testers’ experience and performance insights

Fitting and club selection

Cksurfdude received a GT3 5-wood and GT2 hybrid, both paired with Mitsubishi shafts. He was looking to fill specific gapping slots and reduce turf interaction challenges. His slower swing speed made launch and forgiveness top priorities.

Gman8966 went through a full fitting session and was dialed into a GT3 4-wood and GT2 4-hybrid fitted with Tensei 4K Black shafts. With a background in engineering and a home simulator setup, he prioritized data consistency, launch and gapping precision.

Both testers expressed satisfaction with their fittings although the hybrid required some adjustment and familiarity.

Maja Stark puts her faith in one word. Here’s the up-close story of how it won her the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills.

The post Maja Stark puts her faith in 1 word. Here’s how it won her U.S. Women’s Open appeared first on Golf.

Swede staves off a brief run from Korda before winning at Erin Hills by two strokes.

Julia Lopez Ramirez and Hailee Cooper both made more money than ever before at the U.S. Women's Open, but they felt very differently about it.

The post 2 young pros, 2 very different types of ‘life-changing’ paydays appeared first on Golf.

Maja Stark earned her first major title at the U.S. Women's Open. Check out the specs of her bag of Ping and Titleist clubs.

The post Maja Stark’s clubs: Inside her U.S. Women’s Open-winning setup appeared first on Golf.

From an 18th-green celebration to a caddie's comedic contribution, Maja Stark's U.S. Women's Open win was one to remember at Erin Hills.

The post The best moments that followed Maja Stark’s U.S. Women’s Open win | Rogers Report appeared first on Golf.

We discuss Maja Stark's U.S. Women's Open win, another trophy for Scottie Scheffler and a new (old) format for the Tour Championship.

The post Tour Confidential: Stark conquers Erin Hills, Scheffler wins (again) appeared first on Golf.

Miguel Angel Jimenez won the Principal Charity Classic on Sunday at Wakonda Club for his third PGA Tour Champions victory of the year, beating Soren Kjeldsen and Cameron Percy with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff.

Scottie Scheffler outplayed Ben Griffin down the stretch to win his third PGA Tour title of the season. Here are his detailed golf club specs.

The post Scottie Scheffler’s clubs: Inside his Memorial Tournament-winning setup appeared first on Golf.

Nelly Korda's putter let her down at Erin Hills as she finished two shots behind U.S. Women's Open winner Maja Stark.

The post Nelly Korda’s U.S. Women’s Open was another ‘heartbreaker’ appeared first on Golf.

After following in Tiger Woods' footsteps by defending his Memorial title, Scottie Scheffler can now let history be his guide.

The post Scottie Scheffler can use Tiger Woods, history as guide after latest dominant win appeared first on Golf.

Rickie Fowler punched his ticket to the Open Championship on Sunday at Memorial but another major championship quest looms on Monday.

The post Rickie Fowler checks massive box in major championship quest but another looms appeared first on Golf.

Scottie Scheffler was at his best on a tough day at Muirfield Village, opening with 13 straight pars and then pouring it on at the end for a 4-under 68 that gave him a one-shot lead Saturday over Ben Griffin at the Memorial.

Stark takes one stroke lead into Sunday's final day at Erin Hills; a preview of Monday's longest day of U.S. Open qualifying.

Maja Stark shot a 2-under 70 and avoided the mistakes that befell other contenders Saturday to take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the U.S. Women's Open at Erin Hills.