From articles to interviews to player Instagram content, media members are booked and busy during major weeks.

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Few hazards are more iconic than Oakmont Country Club's famous church pew bunker. Here's what you need to know about it.

The post Oakmont’s church pew bunker: The treacherous hazard explained appeared first on Golf.

Full 2025 U.S. Open tee times for Friday's second round at Oakmont, featuring Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy and more.

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The Toulon Small Batch Pittsburgh putter commemorates Johnny Miller’s victory at Oakmont in 1973.

U.S. Open week is my favorite week in golf. Masters week is a close second, but I prefer the US Open.

If I’m being honest, the reason is one of schadenfreude (German term meaning “pleasure derived by someone from another person’s misfortune”).

The conditions at a U.S. Open are notoriously brutal and I take a modicum of joy from watching the best players in the world get handed their lunch by glassy greens and punitive rough.

The challenge should be so severe that the winner has truly achieved greatness by climbing on the carcasses of his competitors.

Matt Vogt, a 34-year-old dentist, hit the opening tee shot at the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. It did not go to plan.

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With his 2021 PGA Championship exemption ending after this season, the 2025 U.S. Open could be farewell for Phil Mickelson.

The post Will 2025 U.S. Open be farewell for Phil Mickelson? USGA weighs in on his future appeared first on Golf.

The 124th U.S. Open teed is underway at Oakmont Country Club, just outside Pittsburgh.

For a private golf club, Oakmont has spent so much time in the public eye that many fans feel they know it. Do they, really?

The post 7 fun facts about Oakmont only members tend to know appeared first on Golf.

Golf Channel anaylst Paul McGinley panned Rory McIlroy's "low energy" and lack of preparedness at Oakmont ahead of the 2025 U.S. Open.

The post ‘Very worrying’: TV analyst laments Rory McIlroy’s ‘low energy’ at U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.

Today’s AskMyGolfSpy question comes from Twitter (still not calling it X) follower David G., who asks:

“Do you feel with other manufacturers copying L.A.B. Golf putter designs is an admission that the tech is the best in class? Will we all be playing zero-torque putters in years to come?”

Picture this: You’re sitting in golf’s equipment war room circa 2015 and someone shows you a putter that looks like it escaped from a satellite dish factory. They tell you with a straight face that this ungainly contraption is going to revolutionize putting.

You’d probably laugh them out of the room.

L.A.B. Golf DF2.1

Fast forward to 2025 and that same frankly bizarre-looking putter has spawned an entire industry revolution. The zero-torque phenomenon feels a bit like a mile-long fuse leading to a cargo tanker full of dynamite—a long, slow burn to get here but an absolute explosion in the market as we’ve gone from just one or two brands that almost nobody knew about offering zero(ish)-torque putters to full market penetration.

When it comes to high-performing drivers, the PING G430 MAX 10K and Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond are two of the biggest names in 2025. One is the Most Wanted Driver of the year. The other was the Most Wanted Driver of 2024 and was tested again in 2025. We put these two drivers in our head-to-head tool to see what really separates them.

Distance

Elyte Triple Diamond Distance Score: 9.6G430 MAX 10K Distance Score: 9.0

On paper, the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond is the longer of the two. It averaged 237.0 yards of carry and 251.76 total yards in testing. PING’s G430 MAX 10K wasn’t far behind but didn’t quite match Callaway in total output but it’s only about three yards shorter.

Callaway gained a small edge thanks to a slightly lower spin rate (2,420 rpm versus 2,636) which helped maximize roll. Ball speed numbers were virtually identical, Callaway at 142.3 mph and PING at 142.1 mph.

Forgiveness

Elyte Triple Diamond Forgiveness Score: 8.7G430 MAX 10K Forgiveness Score: 9.2

If forgiveness is your top priority, PING has the upper hand. The G430 MAX 10K posted one of the highest forgiveness scores in the entire 2025 test. It was especially consistent in terms of ball speed deltas and shot dispersion, producing reliable shot shapes across a range of swing speeds.

The Elyte Triple Diamond is by no means unforgiving, especially for a low-spin “Tour-style” head, but it’s simply not as consistent across mishits. If you miss the center of the face often, the PING may be the safer bet.

“Fore right!”

Yep, there goes another $5 ball into the woods. Again.

Look, I get it. Last week, you were striping drives down the middle, and now you’re playing pinball with the cart path. What the hell happened?

Most people will tell you it’s grip pressure. Or maybe you lifted your head. But honestly? Nine times out of ten, it comes down to swing path—where your club is traveling when it smacks the ball.

Think about driving to work. Sometimes you take the direct route and get there smoothly. Other times, you end up on some backroad adventure that leaves you wondering how you got so lost. Your golf swing works the same way.

Golf is already hard enough. Bad advice passed down on the range or repeated by well-meaning buddies can make it even harder. These five common swing tips sound helpful. However, they often lead golfers in the wrong direction. Let’s clear up the confusion and eliminate these five swing myths, making golf harder than it needs to be.

“Keep your head down”

The old “keep your head down” feels like it’s been around since the start of the game. Some have even simplified it to the point that’s all you need to be good at golf. While the intention is good, promoting consistent posture and focus, trying to lock your head in place can restrict your ability to rotate. It can end up hurting your swing.

What you should do instead:

Maintaining posture is the primary goal, not freezing or locking your head. Think about keeping the center of your face relatively stable and your chest rotating through impact. If you want to think about keeping your head behind the ball as your hips clear, that could be a safer swing thought.

“Don’t swing too hard”

Golfers are often told to swing “smooth” or “easy.” You’ve probably had one of those days on the course when nothing is going your way and a player partner says, “slow it down”. A smooth swing doesn’t have to mean a slow swing. Swinging with intent isn’t a bad thing.

What you should do instead:
Accelerate through the ball. Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler aren’t swinging soft; they’re just sequencing it correctly. We tested this concept of swinging harder versus swinging easier, and the harder swings resulted in a better shot.

Should you be using a blade or a mallet putter? While you probably have a preference (and a strong opinion to match), we wondered what the on-course data actually reveals.

Is one objectively better than the other?

Naturally, we turned to our friends at Shot Scope to ask what their mountains of real-world data showed and they came back with some eye-opening findings.

Statistically, it appears one style does have an advantage and one brand is leading the way – more on that below (spoiler alert: your wallet might not like what the data says).

Know your putters

Blade putters – The traditionalist’s choice with a smaller head profile and typically some form of toe hang. Think classic PING Anser or Scotty Cameron Newport designs.

When you’re getting started in golf, having the right accessories will not only help you look the part. It’ll also help you play your best golf. These five accessories are must-haves for new golfers and there are some you should avoid.

The must-haves

The following items are essential to helping you maximize your game. Don’t overlook any of these products and fight the urge to go cheap. More often than not, you get what you pay for.

A good rangefinder

The Vortex Anarch is, in my opinion, the best rangefinder. If you have the extra cash to splurge on it, by all means buy it. Right now.

If you don’t, however, the Vortex Blade Slope is a fantastic mid-level rangefinder loaded with premium features. Knowing not only the yardage to a hole but the adjusted slope will help you hit more greens. Backed by a lifetime warranty, you’ll feel a personal connection with the brand if you ever need assistance.

A quality golf glove

A quality golf glove is another must-have and Red Rooster hits the mark. Crafted from premium AAA cabretta leather and available in various styles and colors, you’ll be able to add a touch of style to represent your personality. Check out The Feather, a favorite of mine.

Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau are all at the U.S. Open trying to win the season's third major. But all eyes will be on one of the hardest golf courses in the world.

 

• • How Big Is an 18-Hole Golf Course?

    Average Size

    A typical 18-hole golf course covers about 125 to 150 acres of land. However, larger resort or championship courses can exceed 200 acres, especially when they include extra features like driving ranges, multiple tee boxes, practice areas, or natural reserves.

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    How the Space Is Used

    The main playing areas—tees, fairways, and greens—usually take up around 50 to 60 acres.
    The rough around the fairways might add another 25 to 30 acres.
    Water hazards and sand bunkers can use up 5 to 10 acres, depending on the course design.
    Trees, natural areas, and out-of-play zones might account for 15 to 20 acres.
    Add in cart paths, clubhouses, maintenance buildings, and parking, and you get another 10 to 20 acres on top.

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    Why It Matters

    Golf courses are more than just places to play—they're massive landscapes that often include wildlife habitats, walking paths, and even water drainage systems. Managing one requires ongoing work: mowing, watering, landscaping, and environmental stewardship.

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    To Visualize the Space

    An average course of 150 acres is roughly the size of 113 football fields, three Disneylands, or enough land to fit over 500 suburban homes.

Despite calls from golfers to expand the checking of drivers across the field, USGA CEO Mike Whan says the governing body has no plans to change the way it conducts testing.

A very strong field and an extremely difficult course can't stop bookmakers from making Scottie Scheffler a historic favorite for the 125th U.S. Open. His incredibly short odds also aren't preventing bettors from backing him en masse.

The USGA kept the prize fund for this week's U.S. Open at $21.5 million, on par with the 2024 championship. It remains the most lucrative purse of the major championships.