We tested Cleveland's Smart Sole Full-Face wedges to find out if they make club selection around the greens easier.
The post I tried it: These user-friendly wedges make short-game shots much easier appeared first on Golf.
Golfing News & Blog Articles
Stay up-to-date on golfing news, products, and trends from around the world.
MacGregor MT Milled Putters
The new line of MacGregor MT Milled Putters is the latest entry in a putter category that’s easy to overlook, basically because it’s so small: High-quality 100-percent milled putters for less than $200.
You have Cleveland’s HB SOFT Milled line starting at $199.99 which, technically, is under $200. Costco’s Anser-style Kirkland Signature KS-1 is $149.99 (when you can find it) and there’s maybe a handful of others.
That’s about it. And the fact is that most of them are actually cast into a rough putter shape and then CNC milled into their final shape. When you start whittling the list down to putters that are 100-percent milled from a single billet of carbon steel for under $200, the list gets even shorter.
There’s Maltby, Hogan and MacGregor. I know you’ll let us know if we’re missing any but the point remains that it’s a really short list.
The question as to whether a putter that’s 100-percent milled from a single piece of carbon is any better than one that’s cast and then milled is unanswerable. More precisely, it’s one that we can’t answer. Only you can, based on what performs better for you. But on the grand scorecard of whether a putter has to be $400 to get the ball in the damned hole, the new MacGregor MT Milled line goes on the “Hell no, it doesn’t” side of the ledger.
SuperStroke Purchases Lamkin Grips
It is the end of an era—and the start of a new one—for the longest-running grip manufacturer in golf.
Lamkin Grips, a family business that has spanned three generations, has been purchased by SuperStroke, a leading putter grip company that came online in 2009.
“It is with pride and great gratitude that we announce Lamkin, a golf club grip brand with a 100-year history of breakthrough design and trusted products, is now a part of the SuperStroke brand,” said SuperStroke CEO Dean Dingman. “We have always had the utmost respect for how the Lamkin family has put the needs and benefits of the golfer first in their grip designs.
“If there is a grip company that is most aligned with SuperStroke’s commitment to uncompromised research, design, and development to put the most useful performance tools in the hands of golfers, Lamkin has been that brand. It is an honor to bring Lamkin’s wealth of product innovation into the SuperStroke family.”
Lamkin started in 1925 and supplied leather grips for the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and others. In 1995, Lamkin released the Crossline, the most popular grip in its history.
Rise of the 7-Wood
About this time last year, I started to see an influx of threads and posts on the MyGolfSpy Forum about 7-woods. Most of these threads asked if members were using them and, if so, which ones and, most importantly, why?
Whether it was because of noticing these threads or being in search of a club to fill that spot in my bag, to me it seemed the topic of 7-woods was popping up everywhere. I even noted that more PGA Tour players were putting 7-woods into play. This led me to several key questions: Are more golfers gaming 7-woods? What clubs are they replacing 7-woods with? And what is making the 7-wood such a special club?
Finding Answers
A quick Google search on the topic highlights many articles suggesting that, yes, more golfers are using 7-woods. There was even a Reddit thread from a few months ago asking why it is so hard to find a used 7-wood to purchase. There was also a publication that had (as of October 2022) suggested that more than 25 percent of pros use a 7-wood.
Shot Scope Data
However, I wanted more concrete evidence of this apparent growing trend. The first place I went was Shot Scope. As MyGolfSpy’s official on-course data partner, they have more data than I would ever know what to do with.
I got a quick response back and was a little surprised at the numbers. According to Shot Scope, here is a breakdown of 7-wood users across various handicaps:
Forum Member Reviews: Odyssey Ai-ONE Putters
Odyssey Golf released the Ai-ONE putter line recently and it comes with a whole bunch of upgrades over the previous Tri-Hot 5k line you may have read about in 2023’s Most Wanted Mallet Putters.
This year, Odyssey equipped the Ai-ONE Putter line with a unique White Hot face insert designed to get your putts closer to the hole. Looking through the Ai-ONE window on certain models shows the unique topography of the insert. This is supposed to keep a consistent ball speed on all puts, even if you miss the sweet spot.
Also included in the Ai-ONE lineup of putters is the SL90 shaft which is an updated take on Stroke Lab tech with a counterbalance weight included in the design to appeal to even more golfers. Lastly, the heads are colored in a navy-blue PVD that sets them apart from the crowd and offers a premium look.
Selection Process
Our Forum staff handpicked four testers for the Odyssey Ai-ONE putters. After our testers completed their fittings and submitted final specs, putters were built and shipped out for their review.
How much closer to the hole would the Ai-ONE putters get our testers to the hole? Read on to find out!
Annika Sorenstam on how motherhood has changed her, and sharing the spotlight with son Will
Annika Sorenstam revisits what it was like to step away from the game to start a family, plus sharing the spotlight at the PNC with son Will.
The post Annika Sorenstam on how motherhood has changed her, and sharing the spotlight with son Will appeared first on Golf.
Albert Pujols Q&A: 'The Machine' talks playing Michael Jordan's course
He's a certain first ballot Hall of Famer. So why can't Albert Pujols get a game with the G.O.A.T.? 'The Machine' explains.
The post Albert Pujols Q&A: ‘The Machine’ talks playing Michael Jordan’s course appeared first on Golf.
Rules Guy: My ball moved in the middle of my backswing. Now what?
What do you do if you ball moves — and you're already in the middle of your backswing? Rules Guy has the answer.
The post Rules Guy: My ball moved in the middle of my backswing. Now what? appeared first on Golf.
Path to Paris: Aditi Ashok has form and experience, can she shake off big-event bogey?
Aditi Ashok finished 41st at the 2016 Olympics and just fell short of a medal at Tokyo. Can she make it count at Paris?
Aberg elects to skip Quail Hollow with 'knee issue'
Swedish sensation Ludvig Aberg, who finished second in his Masters debut last month, withdrew on Monday from this week's PGA Tour event, in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a knee issue but, he expects to return in time for next week's PGA Championship.
Gooch gets special invite to PGA Championship
Talor Gooch of LIV Golf announced Monday on social media that he received an invitation to play in the PGA Championship next week.
NBA star-backed TGL entry boasts Aberg, Clark
The TGL's Bay Golf Club team, owned by Mark Lowry and partners Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala, will be composed of Ludvig Åberg, Wyndham Clark, Shane Lowry and Min Woo Lee.
We Asked 100 Golfers If Golf Shoes Make a Difference
Do golf shoes really matter?
My wife, who’s tired of me bringing home a new pair every week, would argue that they don’t make a difference.
However, I’m of the opinion that a good pair of golf shoes, like a properly fitted club, can be a real help to your game. But that’s coming from someone who lives and breathes golf shoes every single day. It’s my job to test and review shoes.
For the everyday golfer, though, the golf shoe may not be seen as a legitimate tool with which they can improve their game. That’s my hunch, anyway. Which side of the fence do you sit on?
I asked 100 golfers if golf shoes really matter. Here are my findings.
PUMA goes Patriotic with 2024 VOLITION AMERICA Collection
There are few songs that hit me in the feels quite like “God Bless the USA”. There’s just something about that patriotic anthem that makes me feel like I’m a small part of something greater than myself.
Each time it comes on, I take an opportunity to reflect on the men and women who put on the uniform. I’m extremely grateful for them and all they do.
PUMA, too, is grateful for military veterans. They show their gratitude each year by teaming up with VOLITION AMERICA for a red, white and blue apparel collection.
As in years past, some proceeds from the collection will be donated to the Folds of Honor Foundation. This years’ PUMA x VOLITION AMERICA plays on the patriotic theme with some unique camo patterns, a few fun prints, and my favorite; a bald Eagle motif.
Yeah, the eagle looks pretty darn cool.
The Best Golf Hats to Top Off Your Tee Time Ensemble
Only a few things are absolutely mandatory for a loop around the golf course: clubs, bag, balls and tees. However, there are accessories so compulsory that they might as well be part of the official golf uniform. Chief among these is the golf hat. Virtually every player wears one from juniors all the way up through the best of the best on the PGA Tour (but they get paid for it).
The best golf hats serve many functions so it’s no surprise they’re ubiquitous in the modern game. Obviously, the main purpose of a hat is to protect your head and eyes from the sun’s harsh rays and the occasional unexpected downpour but, in today’s world, they’re much more than utilitarian. A golf hat can be a style flex, an opportunity to rep your favorite brand, your favorite team or the finishing touch on your go-to golfing outfit.
In the end, a golf hat has to check a few essential boxes but, beyond that, it can make whatever kind of statement you want. If it’s comfortable on your head, makes you feel good and helps you focus on your game then it’s a perfect accessory.
The Best Golf Hats
Melin
There’s nothing quite like a Melin hat. With a variety of models to hit any head size and shape, Melin’s premium headwear is worth the splurge. Seriously, once you try one you’ll never go back.
lululemon
Whether you want a lightweight running hat or something a little more traditional, lululemon has you covered. Are minimalist designs and muted color schemes your thing? You’ll be hard pressed to find something more sleek and wearable than lululemon.
Ready Golf – The New Norm?
Everyone has heard of “ready golf” but how many of us actually know what it is and practice it? You may think you do but do you, really?
Understanding Ready Golf
Ready golf is a departure from traditional golf in the sense that it is more flexible and more efficient. It’s about speeding up the game in an organized, logical and safe fashion.
Key Principles
Play When Ready: Rather than playing the traditional “who’s away” (the player furthest from the hole goes first), ready golf encourages players to proceed with their shot as soon as they are prepared and their fellow players are aware they are doing so.
Advance To Your Ball: If you are able to safely move to your ball without interfering or interrupting your playing partners, do so. Start visualizing your next shot and be ready when you arrive at your ball.
Keep Pace Of Play: Keep up with the group in front of you. You want to be courteous and allow them to play at normal speed but remain just behind them. If you are finding yourself falling behind, pick up your ball after double par and move to the next tee.
Pendrith wins Byron Nelson, his 1st PGA Tour title
Taylor Pendrith, the third-round leader who two-putted for birdie on the 18th hole, took advantage of Ben Kohles' final-hole meltdown to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on Sunday in McKinney, Texas, for his first PGA Tour title.
Dunlap wins in Texas after final-round rainout
Scott Dunlap won his first PGA Tour Champions title in nearly 10 years after being declared the 36-hole winner of the Insperity Invitational when rain washed out the final round.
