major – Ultra Golfing

Major winner dishes on what NOT to do in swing

admin — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:47:31 +0000

Padraig Harrington is talking about the don’ts of golf, and he admits that’s strange, though there certainly are don’ts.

It’s just the word itself.

“I’m normally a very positive person,” he said.

Still, Harrington was ready for what he called “the mega lesson of don’ts.” The thoughts came in a recently posted video to the three-time major winner’s YouTube channel, which has become an instruction must-visit, and his latest post is a must-watch, despite that un-positive vibe. You can view it below, and below that are some comments.

Padraig Harrington’s don’ts of the golf swing

Don’t keep your head down

You’ve heard this one. But it needs to be repeated. “By all means, keep an eye on the ball,” Harrington said in the video, “but your head is nice and relaxed. It doesn’t tuck down onto your chest. For most people, it will rotate a little bit in the backswing, and certainly in the follow-through, it will come up to a high position. … Your head must move.”

Don’t keep your feel still or locked to the ground

During the swing, Harrington wants to avoid a set position. “You can create no speed, no power; you’ll go offline,” he said in the video. “Your feet should move at address … and then move back and forth. So simply little stepping. That’s why we do all these stepping drills. You’ve got to move your feet if you’re going to hit the golf ball.”

Don’t stay down during the swing

Harrington said this is “nearly sacrilege.” “So when you hit the golf ball, you must pop up to hit the golf ball. … OK, so our chest is somewhat staying down, but everything else is coming up. You pop up on the left-hand side. … So, we’ve got to make sure that you do that natural thing. Keep an eye on the ball, but make sure you’re jumping up with those legs. You can keep an eye on the ball, but make sure you’re accelerating up.”

Don’t swing slowly

Your backswing, Harrington said, should be set “at your natural rhythm, whatever that is.” “Some people will be quick, some people will be relatively slow,” he said in the video. “What we do know is that professional golfers, I think, swing three times quicker than amateurs in the backswing. So, the backswing is quite for a natural rhythm at that sort of pace. … So, nice speed to it.”

Don’t swing easy

At times, you will, though, Harrington said. “But you must practice swinging as fast as you can sometimes and then tone it down to play,” he said in the video. “Not tone it down every shot because there’ll be some open drives where you should go flat-out. But in general, do not swing slow and easy. Swing hard and fast some of the time in order that you can swing at a comfortable 90 percent and keep your rhythm.”

Don’t cast

“You’ve got to release the club with your hands as much as you can,” Harrington said in the video. “So absolutely throw that club like you’re going to throw it down the range. … People who cast — and this is like everything else in golf, it’s nearly the opposite — so people who cast put no pressure on the grip at this point and then the force of the club gets thrown out and they lose all their speed and power and strike. … So release the club as hard as you can with your hands from the top of the backswing.”

Don’t spin

“So a bad thought is turning your hips when they’re not connected to anything because that generally brings the hands with it, causing you to swipe across the ball and hit a slice,” Harrington said in the video. “Do not rotate your body. At impact, your shoulders are going to be close to square, maybe 10 degrees open. Your torso would be 30 and maybe your hips 45. … We don’t try and rotate. What we actually do is we push. We push. So, we go down into the left side. And as we’re springing up, we push from the ground, which pushes our hip back, which opens this up, our body stays reasonably square at impact. So don’t think turning is not going to add anything and is usually counterproductive. If you have to think about that, you push your way out by getting on the left side and pushing.”

Can Harrington describe what to do?

He could.

“if you finish your golf swing, post it up on your left leg with the left leg straight, your chest up and high, slight little bit of arch, your right shoulder closest to the target, your head up in the air like that, you’ll probably have done all those other things correctly,” Harrington said in the video. “But remember, avoid the don’ts and try and get that lovely pose at the end and you’ll be doing everything — you’ll be doing it well enough to be a good golfer.”

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On ‘free-for-all’ major Sunday, Xander Schauffele has edge over most

admin — Sun, 17 May 2026 01:47:00 +0000

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Xander Schauffele remembers the feeling. It was like trying to unlock a door in darkness. Schauffele spent years hovering at the top of major leaderboards. Always there but never the last man standing. Sometimes he got beaten, but often mistakes did him in.

“Early on, I felt like there were times where 9 or 12 holes would pass, and I’m like holy smokes, I’m like five over par, like the whole what-is-happening thing,” Schauffele said Saturday at the PGA Championship at Aronimink. “I’d call those growing pains. Everyone goes through them. Everyone deals with it.”

Then came the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla, when Schauffele finally kicked down the door to become a major champion. Two months later, he triumphed at the Open. One win unlocking another.

Ever since, Schauffele has felt different at majors. “It would be crazy not to,” he says. An injury led to a performance dip in 2025, but he arrived at the 2026 PGA at Aronimink feeling close to where he was when he outlasted everyone at Valhalla and ran away from the field on Sunday at Royal Troon.

He jumped into contention out of the gates in Philadelphia with a first-round two-under 68. But he followed it with a 73 in easier conditions on Friday to find himself five off the lead entering the weekend. Schauffele finished with a birdie and then went directly to the range for a late lesson with his coach, Chris Como. The results were clear Saturday as Schauffele took advantage of a more gettable Aronimink, shooting four under to get within three of Alex Smalley’s 54-hole lead. Schauffele is one of 10 players within three of the lead; 30 players are within five.

The combination of wind, sloping greens and diabolical pins has led to a jam-packed leaderboard that promises high drama on Sunday.

“I called it an absolute free-for-all, you know what I mean?” Schauffele said Saturday evening. “Just the way the course plays, I mean, someone early goes and shoots something six, seven under, they might just have a chance to win the whole thing, depending on how windy it gets out there. So with that in mind, try to really stay in my lane with [caddie Austin Kaiser] and control what we can control.”

There are a number of major champions atop the board. Jon Rahm is two back. Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed are tied with Schauffele. Justin Rose is four back, along with Hideki Matsuyama and Cameron Smith. Scottie Scheffler is five behind. But it’s also a leaderboard full of players who have never experienced a Sunday major cauldron. Smalley’s best major finish is a T23 at the 2023 PGA. Nick Taylor, Matti Schmid and Aaron Rai, all of whom are tied for second along with Rahm, have a combined zero top 10s in the majors.

On PGA Saturday, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson faced a different kind of question

By:

Josh Schrock

Schauffele will enter Sunday with an advantage over most of the chasers — Rahm, McIlroy, Rose and Reed notwithstanding. In golf, you don’t know what you don’t know. But once you know it, it can make all the difference.

“I have some experience to draw on. That’s really what it is,” Schauffele said. “If you’re not in contention, you know, good luck drawing on any experience. You’re just trying to stay positive and give yourself a chance.”

Asked about his major growing pains, the near-misses at U.S. Opens and the Masters that stacked up, Schauffele talked about how fast things can move when the pressure ratchets up, and how hard it is to regrip the wheel once you start to skid. What those scars — and eventual major wins — taught him is how to steady himself when everything around him is spinning.

“I think if you can control your ball and hit certain shots, it will definitely give you that confidence, but no matter how great of golf you’re playing, you’ll see anyone slip up at certain moments,” Schauffele said. “The best always seem to collect themselves in the toughest moments.”

Sunday at Aronimink will be anyone’s game. The test will demand precise answers. Major championships normally do. Schauffele will start the round behind but with an edge on a large portion of the leaderboard who will be experiencing true major pressure for the first time.

He is comfortable in the moment. On a chaotic Sunday that will be decided on the margins, that might be enough for Schauffele to be the one who passes the exam.

“Come tomorrow, there’s going to be 25, 30 guys within striking distance with 9 to 10 holes to play,” Schauffele said. “It’s going to be great to watch as a fan, but as a player, it’s pretty stressful, and you’ve really got to lock in. So if I can lean back on any experience I have, I will.”

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Sun Mountain and Realtree Launch Limited Edition Major Collection; Announce Fantasy Contest with Splash Sports

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:17:33 +0000

MISSOULA, Montana – Sun Mountain Sports, in collaboration with Realtree, today announced the release of two limited edition products in its 2026 Major Collection: the Matchplay 4-Way Stand Bag and the ClubGlider Meridian Travel Bag.

The partnership with Realtree, world’s leading camouflage designer, marketer and licensor, marks Sun Mountain’s second collaboration of 2026 following an earlier release with Victus.

“The Major Collection celebrates golf’s most iconic traditions while showcasing the innovation and craftsmanship that define Sun Mountain,” said Grant Lordan, Sun Mountain senior director of marketing and brand strategy. “Partnering with an industry leader like Realtree allows us to bring a distinct and fresh look to our best-in-class performance gear.”

Available for a limited time, the Major Collection blends technical innovation with tradition through two exclusive white and green Realtree camo designs inspired by the season’s first major.

Sun Mountain x Realtree Matchplay 4-Way Stand Bag

With its refined Realtree camo design, the Matchplay 4-Way Stand Bag delivers a distinctive look built for performance and lasting comfort.

Design features include:

Eight purpose-built pockets, including a spacious apparel pocket, rangefinder pocket, valuables pocket and insulated cooler pouch
Four full-length dividers to keep clubs separated, protected and easy to access
X-Fit Dual Strap System engineered for balanced carry and lasting comfort throughout the round
Ballistic nylon construction for exceptional durability with a clean, premium finish
MSRP: $435

Sun Mountain x Realtree ClubGlider Meridian Travel Bag

Built for travel performance and convenience, the ClubGlider Meridian Travel Bag helps golfers reach their destination stress free and in style, highlighted by a distinctive Realtree camo finish.

Design features include:

Patented kickstand that extends and retracts in one easy motion to support the bag’s weight during transport
Ballistic-style construction reinforced in high wear areas for durable protection
Heavy-duty two-way zippers that run the full length of the bag for easy loading
MSRP: $450

Both pieces will be available in limited quantities beginning April 3, 2026 at sunmountain.com and Carl’s Golfland, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Golf Town, PGA TOUR Superstore, Golf Galaxy, Scheels and Worldwide Golf.

Sun Mountain and Splash Sports Team Up for “The Major” Fantasy Contest

To celebrate the season’s first major, Sun Mountain and Splash Sports have introduced a free-to-play Fantasy Tiers Contest called “The Major,” offering participants the chance to win exclusive prizes from Sun Mountain including a one-of-a-kind custom embroidered staff bag, golf and travel bags from the 2026 Major Collection and apparel.

Participation is open to all eligible players, with entry available through April 9 at 8 a.m. EST. Contest details and registration can be found at splashsports.com/sunmountain.

About Sun Mountain Sports

For over 40 years, Sun Mountain has combined quality and heritage to craft the ultimate golf gear, ensuring every journey is as exceptional as the game itself. Built on trust, quality, and reliability, Sun Mountain creates premium, rugged products designed to stand the test of time. From golf and travel bags to apparel, every product is engineered with purpose for golfers who demand performance in all conditions. For more information on Sun Mountain, please visit sunmountain.com.

About Realtree

Realtree is the world’s leading camouflage designer, marketer, and licensor. Renowned for its innovative patterns, content, and experiences for hunters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts, Realtree is committed to quality, authenticity, and unrivaled customer service. Through iconic camo designs and industry-leading partnerships, Realtree continues to shape the outdoor industry and inspire outdoor enthusiasts worldwide.

About Splash Sports

Splash Sports is the leading skill-based social sports gaming platform built for friends and communities to compete for real money. Launched following the acquisition and integration of RunYourPool and OfficeFootballPool, the Splash Inc. portfolio has more than 2 million active users across numerous fantasy sports and skill game formats. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Splash Sports is backed by leading venture capital firms including Dream Ventures, Accomplice, Boston Seed Capital, Acies Investments, and Velvet Sea Ventures. Learn more at www.SplashSports.com or follow @SplashSports on X.

Media Inquiries:
Joel Schuchmann, DKC
sunmountain@dkcnews.com
904-616-2441

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GolfForever Announces Season-Opener Sale – Major (Distance) Season Starts Now

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 19:46:36 +0000

15 percent sitewide savings at GolfForever.com available April 4 – 13

Aspen, CO. — GolfForever, the industry-leading at-home golf fitness and wellness system designed to help everyday golfers move better, play better, and enjoy the game pain-free for the long run, is kicking the season off with 15 percent sitewide savings from April 4 – 13.

April and the year’s first major championship has long signaled the start of the golf season. The difference between a good season and a great season often comes down to how well your body moves. No one knows this better than GolfForever Tour Athlete Scottie Scheffler, winner of the 2022 and 2024 Masters, who enters 2026 one U.S. Open shy of a Career Grand Slam.

Whether you’re an elite athlete or aiming to break 80 for the first time, play pain-free, gain more distance and consistency, or simply finish the year stronger than you start it, your season should start with creating the foundation – your body. GolfForever helps golfers build the body behind the swing through personalized training that improves mobility, strength, and movement patterns by removing physical limitations. Just 15 minutes a few times a week adds up to real results, unlocking more speed, consistency, and confidence as the season gets underway.

You can find the GolfForever Training System that’s personalized for your needs on GolfForever.com and start down the path of greater strength, flexibility, balance, and mobility. Soon, you’ll experience the benefits in the ways your body feels and the way you perform on the golf course.

“Masters week is an exciting time for golfers because it’s the first major championship of the year and unofficial kickoff to golf season for many across the country,” said Jon Levy, GolfForever SVP of Brand and Communications. “Our Season Opener Sale is the perfect opportunity for golfers to channel this excitement into real results on the course this year because playing your best starts with a body that can move freely and consistently in your swing. That’s what you get with GolfForever – the strength, mobility and balance you need to feel your best and play your best.”

These limited-time savings can be used on GolfForever’s training systems that feature the GolfForever Swing Trainer, a one-year membership to the 4.9 App Store-rated GolfForever app, and a specially-curated combination of equipment used in the app such as GolfForever’s Mini Bands+, Stability Ball+ and Massage Ball+:

Every GolfForever membership includes personalized movement, exercise, and pain-relief routines from expert trainers, doctors, and PGA TOUR coaches on the GolfForever app that build core strength, increase flexibility, and optimize swing mechanics. Most users report results after just a few sessions and dramatic improvements in fitness and golf performance.

World No. 1 golfer and reigning Player of the Year Scottie Scheffler has trusted the game’s leading golf mobility and recovery program to help him win six times last season, including the Open Championship and PGA Championship. While more than 1,000 tour players use GolfForever, it was designed for the everyday golfer. With the season just getting underway, there is no better time to train the body behind the swing. GolfForever helps golfers improve range of motion, speed, balance, and confidence, and with workouts that can take as little as 15 minutes a day, it fits easily into any golf preparation routine.

Scheffler started using GolfForever as an integral part of his training routine shortly before winning his first PGA TOUR event and first Masters in 2022. He hasn’t looked back since, trusting GolfForever daily to prepare for his biggest moments. Scheffler is joined by fellow GolfForever Tour Athletes Tom Kim and two-time major winner and 2023 Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson, and thousands of amateur golfers who use GolfForever daily.

GolfForever is the first golf-specific training program to embrace the approach of home exercise equipment paired with streaming instruction that customizes each golfer’s exercise routines specifically for them, based on a proprietary strength and flexibility test. The GolfForever Swing Trainer, highlighted by its asymmetrical resistance training bar that can be anchored easily at home, the gym, or the course, is a three-in-one training tool that additionally serves as premium resistance bands with handles and a D3 swing weight-optimized heavy warmup club. All three uses, driven by guided instruction from golf fitness and medical experts in the app, directly benefit the strength, mobility, and movement patterns in your golf swing. Those who purchase the Swing Trainer separately from one of the comprehensive Training Systems receive a free 30-day trial membership to the app.

GolfForever’s Season Opener Sale will be live on https://golfforever.com/majors-promo-golf-training-systems.

Learn more about GolfForever’s game-changing array of golf fitness products at GolfForever.com.

About GolfForever

GolfForever is a comprehensive, smart at-home training system that takes a science-based approach to maximizing golfers’ performance by improving flexibility, core strength, balance, and rotational power. The first golf-specific home training program to embrace the approach of home exercise equipment paired with streaming instruction, GolfForever takes it one step further by customizing each golfer’s exercise routines just for them, based on a proprietary strength and flexibility test users take when starting. The result is a product and program that is safe, highly effective for any golfer and proven to work, as evidenced by a pilot study that saw users who used GolfForever three days per week for 30 days gain an average of 26 yards with their driver.

With exercise routines designed by some of the top PGA Tour trainers and orthopedic experts in the U.S., GolfForever users can expect to swing and perform their best – with a pain-free body – for as long as they play the game. It is used by more than 1,000 PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players, and thousands of everyday golfers alike. Founded in Aspen, Colorado in 2019 by Dr. Jeremy James, a leading specialist in chronic back pain and co-author of the Younger Next Year Back Book, GolfForever is the ideal companion to expert golf instruction. For more information go to GolfForever.com or download the new mobile application on the Apple App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.

Media Contacts:

Kevin Frisch PR
Carl Mickelson
(512) 797-2673
carl@kevinfrischpr.com

Kevin Frisch
(989) 614-0241
kevin@kevinfrischpr.com

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Callaway releases limited-edition Chrome Tour April Major golf balls

admin — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:30:48 +0000

Callaway unveils limited-edition Chrome Tour April Major golf balls with a floral 360 Stripe design celebrating golf’s most iconic week.

There are certain weeks on the golf calendar that don’t need to be named. You just say “April,” and everyone who plays the game knows exactly what you mean.

Azaleas. Green jackets. A walk up the 18th fairway that can make a career.

Now, there’s also a golf ball designed with that week very much in mind.

Callaway is releasing a limited-edition Chrome Tour April Major golf ball, part of its “Major Series” lineup, and the design leans heavily into the visual language of one of golf’s most recognizable tournaments. The ball features a 360-degree floral stripe that wraps around the equator in four colors, inspired by the blooms that frame Augusta National every spring. The number “90” appears on the ball as well, a nod to the 90th playing of the championship.

And while the cosmetics might be aimed squarely at collectors and fans of that particular week in April, underneath the flowers it’s still a full-fledged Tour golf ball.

Callaway’s Chrome Tour is a four-piece, urethane-covered golf ball built around a large rubber core and a dual-mantle construction. The layers are designed to create a balance many accomplished players want: high ball speed off the driver, stable flight through the bag, and plenty of spin when the ball reaches wedge range.

The key ingredient in the current Chrome Tour design is a Tour Fast Mantle, a stiffer layer that sits just under the urethane cover. Compared to earlier materials, the mantle has a higher flex modulus, meaning it behaves a bit like a tighter spring. When the ball compresses on the clubface, the mantle rebounds more quickly, helping boost ball speed without forcing designers to make the ball feel overly firm.

Around that core and mantle system sits Callaway’s Seamless Tour Aero pattern, a dimple configuration engineered to promote consistent launch and stable flight. The idea is straightforward: shots that hold their line better and maintain speed through the air, whether you’re hitting a driver or a mid-iron.

Finally, the ball is finished with a Precision Tour Urethane cover, the thin outer layer that allows wedges and short irons to grab the grooves and create the kind of spin better players expect around the greens.

The limited-edition April version adds one more functional feature to the equation: a 360 Stripe alignment pattern. The floral band that circles the ball isn’t just decorative. It acts as a visual guide when lining up putts, giving golfers a long, continuous reference line that can make it easier to aim the face and start the ball on the intended line.

In other words, it’s equal parts style and utility.

Collectors will likely grab a box for the shelf. Plenty of golfers will put them straight into play. And if you happen to roll one across a green while watching the tournament on television, the flowers circling the ball might make it feel, at least for a moment, like you’re part of that April tradition too.

The Chrome Tour April Major golf balls will be available beginning March 16 online, through retailers, and at CallawayGolf.com, with a suggested retail price of $59.99 per dozen.

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Making Major History: How Fujikura and VENTUS made it a clean sweep in 2025

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:24:33 +0000

History was made at Portrush as Fujikura made it a clean sweep of winners across all four Major Championships in 2025.

In a season of unprecedented glory and worldwide wins, the position of Fujikura as the consistent choice of champions and the global leader in shaft innovation was confirmed with all four Major winners using VENTUS shafts in their driver – the first time a specialist driver shaft brand has achieved such a feat*.

Fujikura registered its first Major win in 2001, and over the last five years has become the most used driver shaft on the PGA Tour with countless more victories across golf’s biggest tournaments.

The 2025 Major Championship at Portrush demanded the very best in power and accuracy, due to the course’s tight and dog-legging fairways, and greens protected by devilish pot-bunkers and viscous run-off areas.

Ultimately, an ability to control the trajectory of the ball from the tee – as well as being able to attack the par 5s with confidence from the fairway – ensured the winner, Scottie Scheffler, remained in control over the closing two rounds after topping the leaderboard following Friday’s second round.

The win in Portrush was the second Major success of the year for Scheffler, following another runaway victory in the 107th PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. On both occasions, he was able to play with great control from the tee, utilizing the consistency in his long game with a VENTUS Black 7-X in his driver.

The American also trusted VENTUS in his wood shafts, using a VENTUS Black 8-X in his 3-wood (Royal Portrush and Quail Hollow), and VENTUS Black 9-X in his 7-wood (Quail Hollow). It was a shaft line-up that proved critical in delivering two of the most dominant wins of the season across two vastly different layouts.

Fujikura’s journey to making history began in April, with Master’s Champion Rory McIlroy showcasing the ultimate levels of power from the tee and fairway.

Before overcoming the pressure of a play-off, McIlroy had been able to stay in contention and control during regulation play by hitting fairway after fairway with a VENTUS Black 6-X in his driver. The Northern Irishman’s wood shaft line-up included VENTUS Black 8-X and VENTUS Black 9-X (3-wood and 5-wood respectively).

Of all the Major wins in 2025, there was none more thrilling than the third of the year in Pennsylvania, where JJ Spaun claimed the US Open at one of the toughest courses in Major Championship history at Oakmont.

Under the most intense pressure as players struggled with the course’s defences over the back nine on Sunday, Spaun was able to close out victory using the new VENTUS Black 6-X shaft in his driver with tournament-winning birdies at the 71st and 72nd holes, which included driving the green on the 314-yard par-4 17th.

Designed with advanced VeloCore+ technology – Spaun’s victory at Oakmont was the first Major win registered for the new line of VENTUS with VeloCore+ – the VENTUS Black 6-X shaft would provide the stability, accuracy and distance needed to overcome one of the most gruelling tests in golf.

Fujikura also backed up its position as the most used driver and wood shaft among the world’s best players. At the final Major of the year in Northern Ireland, an impressive 43.9% of the field chose the brand’s shafts in their driver (69 out of 157), with 39.3% of players trusting Fujikura in their wood shaft line-up.**

Rory McIlroy used Fujikura (VENTUS Black) shaft in his driver to win The Masters

However, across all four Majors, the numbers prove even more impressive, with 44.9% trusting the brand’s shafts in their driver (255 players out of 568), and 40.7% playing Fujikura in their wood line-up.**

Eric Recher, Director of Marketing at Fujikura, said: “We are proud to have made history by supporting the winners of all four Major Championships in 2025.

“It is testament to the innovation and technology that goes into our driver and wood shafts that so many of the world’s best players rely on the consistency of VENTUS when the pressure is at its most intense.

“Fujikura’s success across the 2025 Majors only adds to our storied history of powering global victories across the professional tours. But we believe the innovation that goes into every product we make will ensure there is a VENTUS shaft option for every level of player throughout their woods and utility clubs.

“Whether you are chasing a Major or your best round at your local course, VENTUS and Fujikura’s full line-up of shafts are designed to elevate every player’s game.”

Purchase Fujikura driver shafts from authorized distributor ValueGolf.com

*Records taken from Darrell Survey

**All figures taken from Darrell Survey

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Major champ sounds off on PGA Tour changes: ‘Players running asylum’

admin — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:12:19 +0000

Change is coming to the PGA Tour. In the latest move to raise the Tour’s profile and counter LIV Golf’s influence, new Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and the Future Competitions Committee are looking to shrink the number of tournaments on the schedule, the length of the season and the number of PGA Tour cards doled out each year.

The expected moves have been publicly supported by the likes of Tiger Woods (though not so much Rory McIlroy).

But two well-known figures in the game have now provided an alternative view.

In a new report by Golfweek’s Adam Schupak, two-time major champion Curtis Strange and seven-time PGA Tour winner-turned TV analyst Peter Jacobsen sharply criticized the new PGA Tour changes.

Here’s what you need to know.

Curtis Strange criticizes new PGA Tour direction, cut changes

Strange is a household name to golf fans. The World Golf Hall of Famer captured 17 Tour wins in his career and won back-to-back U.S. Opens in 1988 and 1989. He also served as U.S. Ryder Cup captain in 2002.

After that, Strange embarked on a lengthy career as a color commentator and TV analyst, first for ESPN and ABC and later for Fox.

But in his comments to Schupak, Strange made it clear he does not support the major PGA Tour changes that have been made recently, or the direction the Tour seems to be heading.

What Tiger Woods means when he hints at sweeping PGA Tour changes

By:

James Colgan

Strange’s primary points of contention are the loss of cuts at many Signature Events, the negative impact on long-running regular Tour events and the six-month season the Tour is reportedly eyeing.

“You can have an elevated event,” Strange told Schupak, “But a cut, it’s part of the fabric of the Tour. It’s making longstanding events into a feeder tour to the other Signature Events,” Strange argued.

In a thinly-veiled hit at Rolapp, the Tour’s CEO who used to work for the NFL, Strange added, “Golf is a different animal than football. It’s not a six-month audience.”

Strange then identified the “problem” that led to so many changes on the PGA Tour is having the “players running the asylum.”

“The problem is you have the players running the asylum. Why do you think (former PGA Tour board member) Jimmy Dunne left?” Strange asked. “He said, ‘shoot, why am I wasting my time anymore?’”

Since LIV Golf arrived in 2022, one of the other big Tour changes that occurred was giving players more influence in the Tour’s decision-making via the Future Competitions Committee, which is led by Woods.

Peter Jacobsen: Pros who support Tour changes should ‘go join LIV’

Like Strange, Jacobsen was an accomplished PGA Tour player before becoming a golf TV analyst.

Unlike Strange, Jacobsen did not hold back at all in his criticism of recent Tour changes in his own comments in Schupak’s story.

Jacobsen described the plan to “remake the PGA Tour” as a “huge gamble,” and questioned why major changes are necessary.

“It’s a huge gamble trying to remake the PGA Tour. I’ve read a lot of the players saying, ‘Well, we all know the PGA Tour has to change,’ and I ask the question, Why? It was working really well before.”

With PGA Tour changes looming, historic events pondering their futures

By:

Art Stricklin

He also hit directly at the big-name players pushing for changes, saying that if they wanted to play fewer events with more stars in the field they should “go join LIV.”

“If the players wanted to have tournaments where the good players play more often together, they have that at LIV. Go join LIV.”

But Jacobsen saved most of his ire for the Tour’s plan to add scarcity to the Tour schedule. That would involve getting rid of some long-running Tour events in favor of a shorter season.

“I get scared when I hear people saying cutting events. When you look at the individual communities, those events are so important to that community and the charity money raised is important to those golf fans,” Jacobsen argued. “I always thought the PGA Tour should expand their reach rather than contract their reach. Count me as someone who thinks we should be growing the Tour and having more events rather than contracting.”

Rolapp has a pre-Players Championship press conference planned for Wednesday morning at PGA Tour headquarters, where he is expected to make an announcement regarding the future of the Tour.

You can read both Jacobsen and Strange’s full comments in Schupak’s Golfweek story here.

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AWESOME GOLF ON A MISSION WITH MAJOR UPDATE

admin — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:18:00 +0000

Awesome Golf has expanded its innovative Awesome Golf Simulator software with the addition of two new real-world courses and a range of exciting features in its latest 3.5 update.

Awesome Golf users will now have access to Mission Hills Blackstone, one of China’s leading courses, and Longleaf Golf & Family Club, a picturesque layout in North Carolina, U.S.A.

Mission Hills on Awesome Golf Version 3.5

These courses will bring new challenges and experiences to Awesome Golf users of all skill levels, adding to the experience of seven other courses available within the platform, including Wentworth West, Emirates Majlis and Doral Blue Monster.

The development team has worked meticulously to remain faithful to the design and playability of the new courses, whilst maintaining the fun element that Awesome Golf is renowned for.

Players will have the option to play from five different tee positions, making the courses accessible and engaging for beginners and challenging for more experienced players.

The tees are also optimized for junior golfers, with the shortest tee position eliminating hazards, and providing a fun experience for shorter hitters.

Gavin Hamer, Founder of Awesome Golf said: “We’re thrilled to be expanding our course offerings to nine, with five of those now being ‘real’ golf courses.

The team have been working hard behind the scenes to get Mission Hills Blackstone and Longleaf Golf & Family Club ready for this update and we’re absolutely delighted with how they’ve turned out.

At Awesome Golf, we’re constantly evolving — and this update is another exciting milestone. We can’t wait to see our incredible community enjoying these new challenges and being a part of the Awesome Golf Journey.”

In total, five 18-hole world-renowned courses are now available, in addition to the four Awesome Golf nine-hole layouts. The software is available to download on iOS, Android and PC. To start a 14-day free trial and experience the new championship courses, visit www.awesome-golf.com

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ROYAL PORTRUSH AND ROYAL CINQUE PORTS TO HOST MAJOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Golf News

admin — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:17:22 +0000

The 132^nd Amateur Championship will be staged at Royal Portrush – host to The 153^rdOpen last summer – from 14–19 June.

Stroke play qualifying will take place over the Dunluce and Valley links, with the match play stages on the Dunluce. A pre-qualifier will also be held on 11 June over the Valley.

The renowned Northern Ireland venue has held The Amateur Championship on three previous occasions, most recently in 2014 when Scotland’s Bradley Neil triumphed.

The 124^th Women’s Amateur Championship will be hosted at Royal Cinque Ports for the third time next year.

Royal Cinque Ports will host The 124th Women’s Amateur Championship in 2027 Pic: R&A

The famed links on England’s south-east coast – a Final Qualifying venue for The Open – will welcome the world’s best women amateurs for the first time since 1988. It will also mark the 125^th anniversary of the staging at the venue in 1902.

The R&A Girls’ and Boys’ Amateur championships will be held at Burnham & Berrow and Prince’s respectively from 9-14 August.

The R&A Women’s and Men’s Senior Amateur championships will be played concurrently at Blairgowrie from 6-9 July.

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Chief Championships Officer at The R&A, said, “It is important for The R&A to continue to underline the status of our amateur championships and international matches as leading events in amateur golf.

“They provide a pathway for elite golfers and give life-changing opportunities, including those that offer exemptions to The Open and the AIG Women’s Open.

“We aim to attract the best amateur players from around the world in 2027 and look forward to staging our championships at some of the sport’s most prestigious venues.”

International matches between GB&I and the Continent of Europe will also take place in 2027 with the Jacques Léglise Trophy and the Junior Vagliano Trophy contested at Golf de Morfontaine in France from 20-21 August.

The dates and venues for the St Andrews Trophy and the Vagliano Trophy in 2027 are still to be confirmed, as are the dates for The Women’s Amateur Championship.

For this year’s championships in Great Britain and Ireland, entries open at the end of this week. Full details can be viewed at www.randa.org

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Major winner has idea to shake up PGA Tour events

admin — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:00:51 +0000

One of golf’s better competitors has an idea for PGA Tour tournaments.

Competition.

Talking on the most-recent episode of GOLF’s “Subpar” podcast, Geoff Ogilvy said he knows change is coming to the Tour. There’ve been hints at what that might be. Perhaps a later start to the season. Maybe fewer events.

And here’s the 2006 U.S. Open winner’s thought:

Si Woo Kim’s special Presidents Cup impact is something only he can bring

By:

Josh Schrock

Pit tournaments against each other. Competition, as they say, breeds success.

“I would like to see the tournaments sort of compete against the other tournaments to be better,” Ogilvy said on “Subpar.” “I’d like to see the American Express try to be better than Torrey and Torrey try to be better than Phoenix and L.A. try to be better than Phoenix. If you have a situation where tournaments are competing, I mean, the players are going to win, everyone’s going to benefit.

“When you just say, you guys are going to be the big ones and you guys are going to be the small ones, I don’t know. I’d rather see — the Masters is the Masters because they’ve done an amazing job for 100 years. Phoenix is a great tournament because it’s an unbelievable organization that there’s a lot of people who put a lot of time and a lot of effort in making that — it’s not just a tournament, it’s just an event and it’s just a massive event. And if you had to put in that sort of effort to sort of be better than all the other tournaments, then they would all be competing against each other and then they would all fight to be special.

“There’s always going to be special events. People want to come to Phoenix because it’s an amazing atmosphere. Memorial is a great event because it’s a great course and you get treated so well and it feels special, don’t it? But they’ve done a great job at making it feel special. I think you put a bit of competition in the tournaments and they all try to outdo each other, I think everybody’s going to win.”

Ogilvy then went further.

It’d be interesting, he said, to see tournaments compete for broadcast rights.

“I don’t know if that adds up to as much,” Ogilvy said, “but if you had to be better than last week and next week because Amazon or Netflix or CBS or whoever it was, we want that tournament because that tournament’s always great on TV, well, the next week’s going to have to improve their product, they have to get better because they want to do that. And I think there would be such competition between the tournaments that the beneficiaries would be the players and the spectators and the TV audience because everyone would be competing to be better than last week and next week.

“Again, I’m way out of my lane and I don’t understand how all that stuff works. But competition is good, and I think we’ve chased this sugar hit with if you don’t have a field, you don’t have a tournament. And we’ve just bought fields effectively with money, and I don’t think money is as exciting as prestige and history.”

Editor’s note: To watch the entire episode with Ogilvy, please click here or scroll immediately below.

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