Links Courses of The Americas: The Few, the Proud, and the Imposters
The British Golf Museum defines a links course as “a stretch of land near the coast characterized by undulating terrain, often associated with dunes, infertile sandy soil, and indigenous grasses such as marram, sea lyme, and the fescues and bents which, when properly managed, produce the fine-textured, tight turf for which links are famed.” By definition, there are […]
How Golf Resorts Are Adapting in the Coronavirus Era
Oregon wasn’t among the states to put restrictions on golf, but Bandon Dunes Golf Resort shut down for almost six weeks in the interest of protecting its guests, staff, caddies, and community. It was the first time the resort had been closed in its 21-year history. When Bandon Dunes reopened to the public on May […]
My 10 Favorite Golf Course Logos
A good logo—whether it’s for a fashion brand, a trendy restaurant, or a golf course—should try to adhere to some of the principles of effective design, including being simple, memorable, timeless, versatile, and relevant—according to popular design blog Tailor Brands. With golf there’s seemingly endless inspiration to draw from. Is it in a city that’s […]
My Five Favorite Golf Matches of All-Time
In the spirit of match play—and the drama and entertainment the format generates—here’s a look at my top five favorite golf matches of all-time. Rory McIlroy vs. Patrick Reed—2016 Ryder Cup, Hazeltine National In what may be one of the most energy-charged matches in Ryder Cup history, Reed and McIlroy’s dual at Hazeltine will be […]
10 of Golf’s Polarizing Par Fours
When my parents lived in the golf mecca that is California’s Monterey Peninsula, they were never further than a flip wedge off some fairway, even while moving several times. One of their stops was the secluded Quail Lodge in the Carmel Valley, where I always seemed to head to the back nine with conflicting feelings. […]
5 Myths About Club Pros
Golf’s front-line ambassadors wear many hats, explains Bob Denney, Historian Emeritus for the PGA of America 1. PGA Pros have to be good players Aspiring PGA Professionals must pass a 36-hole Playing Ability Test (PAT), scoring within 15 shots of the course rating over 36 holes, usually played in one day. Fewer than 20 percent pass […]
Catching up with PGA Tour Pros At Home Amid COVID-19
By Ryan Asselta With the PGA Tour on hold since the cancellation of the Players Championship in March, tour pros around the world have used their time off in many different ways. Players like Rory McIlroy have posted on social media about hitting the gym, while pros who are parents like Jim Furyk […]
10 Ways to Make Walking the Course More Fun
Golf doesn’t have to be a good walk spoiled (if it ever was). It can just be a good walk—punctuated by moments both thrilling and aggravating. Here are a few ideas for turning your next on-course stroll into a grand tour. 1. Tune into Some Tunes Listening to music on the golf course has its […]
Dream Nine: Par Fives
The par five. The one hole in golf where almost anything is possible. The longest holes on a course give golfers a chance to imagine the possibilities. A legitimate chance at birdie…or even that rare shot at an elusive eagle. But as many of us know, par fives can often show their teeth, generating double […]
My Top 5 Golf Bucket-List Experiences
This May will mark seven years that I’ve been working in golf media, and there’s nothing more I can say except I’ve been living the dream. I’ve played Augusta National (short version: Used Jack Nicklaus’s locker in the Champions locker room, birdied 12, can still recall every shot). I’ve tucked behind the curtain at Shadow […]