Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2019 i Golf Magazine

IF ALL GOES AS PLANNED, you’ll be reading this issue sometime in mid-July or early August, a period commonly and unlovingly known as the “Dog Days.” For years (forever, truth be told, until just a few minutes before I began typing this sentence) I assumed, like most, that the term reflected the fact that weather linked to this overlapping page in the calendar wasn’t fit for a dog—too harsh, too cruel even for an animal that often craves nothing more than attention and a few well-meaning strokes. It actually refers to the period when our Sun occupies the same region as Sirius, the brightest star in the sky at this time. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Major, aka the “Greater Dog.” By association, Sirius is called the Dog…

WHEN TIGER WOODS was growing up in Cypress, Calif., the last thing he saw before falling into dreams and the first thing he glimpsed starting each new day was a timeline of Jack Nicklaus’s unparalleled golfing accomplishments. Woods’s destiny was taped to the wall above his bed. Year by year, he followed and then surpassed the blueprint, winning more U.S. Amateurs than Big Jack (three to two), taking his first major championship at a younger age, and inexorably marching toward one of the grandest numbers in sport: 18 major championship victories. This is the monument Nicklaus built to himself. That one number was more persuasive than any superlative, more thorough than any biography. Baked into 18 is a lifetime of want and will. It encapsulates defining triumphs and wrenching near-misses.…

THE LAST TIME I WAS ON a golf course, before I began taking lessons with GOLF Top 100 Teacher Jon Tattersall, was at my brother-in-law’s bachelor party in Buffalo. There, after one errant shot, I saw a man, who less than two hours earlier had been amiably chatting with me about baseball and fatherhood, throw his 3-iron at a golf cart and spend 20 minutes trying to figure out how to kick a tree. Our pleasant recreational activity—a lovely day spent outdoors with a group of close friends—turned into a rage-fueled stomp through greenery, an exercise to see just how many veins the guy could pop out of his forehead. No wonder he played so lousy—but that’s what this game will do to you. Over the past six months, Tattersall…

WHEN THE WINE WAGON gently stopped, my head was atilt, as far back as the neck can manage these days. I was staring at the flowers atop a towering saguaro cactus, wearing the same dumbfounded expression that paints my face whenever my wife addresses me with a sentence that begins, “Why did you…” “Are you okay?” said the woman driving the Wine Wagon. “Top of the world,” said I. “Just admiring those blooms.” As I turned to face the sympathetic inquirer, I noted her beer cart was named “Wine Wagon,” much the same way WWII airmen named their craft. I was entertained by this beyond any rational explanation. Did I mention this was on the golf course at Mountain Shadows, at the base of Camelback Mountain, in Paradise Valley, Arizona?…

THIS ONE IS UNQUESTIONABLY AN ORIGINAL. Bill and Billie Parrish, the owners of Hot Dog Bills, in San Francisco, were just trying to be practical, as any husband and wife running a small business in 1950 had to be. A rectangular burger patty had two benefits, they figured: it took up less space on a grill, and using the same type of bun for hot dogs and burgers would cut costs. So they came up with the “Burgerdog”—a quarter-pound mixture of ground sirloin and ground chuck cooked to order and topped with American cheese—and eventually parked their food trailer next to the famed Olympic Club. As soon as the smell began wafting across the fairways, Burgerdogs became a fixture at the historic track. In 1954, Hot Dog Bills was invited…

Charter Sales, XOJET New York, N.Y. Handicap: 11.8 The style impression you want to make on the course is… “Wow, he’s confident. He must be a good golfer to wear that.” Who influenced your look? Well, my dad is over the top. He wears bright yellow shorts with marlins on them. He’s way out in left field, while I’m maybe in short left field. He’s John Daly to your Rickie Fowler. I like some of Daly’s stuff, just not the nutty things. And Rickie is colorful, where a lot of the guys on Tour are pretty bland. Are you brand-conscious? Not at all. Last week I got tons of compliments at my club on no-name golf pants I found at a Walmart in Virginia. I just rocked them. A Google…

BACK IN THE DAY, better players tended to favor very low-lofted drivers, often in the 7.5- to 9-degree range. Higher-spinning wound balls were part of the reason, as was the sweeping or slightly descending angle of attack that previous generations of drivers required to prevent the ball from flying high and short. As technology has shifted to lower-spinning balls, driver lofts have increased significantly, with many long-hitting Tour players gaming 10.5-degree models. Fine for them, but what about you? Getting properly fitted is the way to go, but according to True Spec Golf’s Tim Briand, swing speed is a key parameter. “If you swing over 100 mph,” he says, “there’s little to no chance you’ll get fitted into a 12-degree driver, and if you swing less than 90 mph, you’ll…

FJ Fury Boa If you want a shoe that fits like a cross-trainer, looks like a running shoe and performs like a golf shoe, this one might be right up your alley. The breathable yet waterproof FJ Fury Boa is loaded with tech: 1) A rigid D3 (Dynamic Dual Density) outsole for lateral stability during the golf swing; 2) an FTF+ (Fine Tuned Foam) infused midsole and an OrthoLite Impressions FitBed for outstanding comfort; 3) a Liquid Metal–inspired Flex Layer of TPU for walking and crouching flexibility; and 4) FJ’s innovative laceless Boa Fitting System for a precision fit. All said, the highest praise we’ve heard is that the FJ Fury Boa shoes require zero break-in time. FJ Pro/SL Boa The understated FJ Pro/SL Boa spikeless shoe comes with waterproof…

IN A SIGNIFICANT LEAP FORWARD from current designs, Scotty Cameron pulls back the curtain on the new Phantom X putters ($429), a series of high-tech mallets that set a new standard of performance for the renowned designer. Five different clubhead styles combine with a variety of shaft bends and alignment options to yield nine new overall models. The new Phantom X line replaces the Futura family and should offer a model for just about any stroke type. Each new mallet features vibration-dampening technology built into a multi-material housing within a stainless steel clubhead. A milled, solid-aluminum face extends through the flange areas of each head. Three milled sight dots along the topline—painted neon yellow and framed with polished aluminum—provide simple alignment. All Phantom X mallets also feature a new Pistolero…

It’s hard to flag-hunt when your energy is flagging. Chef MICHAEL PARKER, who resigned from his country club gig to cook meals on the road for Tour players (including Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler) knows this well. He prepped these protein balls for several pros at the 2019 PGA Championship. They’re loaded with energy-boosting ingredients. Chomp on one at the turn and another with five holes to play, and you’ll accelerate to the finish line. These treats are one of the many tricks Chef P. cooks up for the world’s best players, and we plan to bring more winning recipes your way in the months ahead. PROTEIN BALLS • 1 cup organic oats• 3/4 cup organic ground flaxseed• 1 cup creamy organic peanut butter• 1/3 cup honey• 3 tbsp dark…

FANTASY GOLF, like real golf, is grounded in solid fundamentals: Grip, posture, alignment; strategy, stats, instinct. Do the big things right, and you can put a little extra cash in your pocket for a healthier bottom line. Here’s how. Tier your lineup. Build around two stars at the top, then two value plays and two sleepers. It’s easy to get wide-eyed at the biggest names or too cute with long shots. Tiered lineups give you a confident base while leaving the door open for luck. Identify value everywhere. Every week, some players get disrespected. Find recent strugglers who could revert to their norm, or those heating up that the masses haven’t yet caught onto. This is often where the smart player separates from the crowd. Consider the course. Is the…

THEY SAY THAT happiness is reality without expectations. In golf, the risks and consequences we fear are largely attributable to the scorecard. By leaving pencil and paper behind, we can eliminate our expectations and, hopefully, the expectations of those around us. Suddenly, the group consists of equals, who are simply playing golf and enjoying all the idiosyncrasies that make it so beguiling. Laughing with the company around us. Appreciating the serenity of the course. Relishing the moments where our clubface strikes the ball pure. Anyone who appreciates the game will tell you there is an ineffable sensation you can experience on the course. When I’ve felt it, really felt it, it’s been when the score doesn’t matter. Sinking a long birdie putt isn’t the same as tapping in for double,…

• The endocannabinoid system regulates much of the human body, from the brain to the organs to the immune system. Its job is to promote homeostasis—i.e., maintain equilibrium or stability, which in this context is a feeling of emotional calm and physical comfort. • The system has two types of cannabinoid receptors: CB1, found mainly in the nervous system, and CB2, found in the immune system. The body is constantly creating cannabinoids and their receptors. • Sometimes, the body needs help generating sufficient cannabinoids. Enter cannabidiol, or CBD. Researchers believe CBD enhances cannabinoid activity, promoting better physical, mental and emotional health. • Given the extensive nature of the endocannabinoid system, CBD has been linked to many benefits, including sharper mental focus, better sleep and reduced inflammation. CBD supporters tout it…

WHEN YOU LOSE DISTANCE over time, you might well assume that it’s simply because you’re getting older. Surprise! It’s more likely a result of instability at various points in your swing—and that can happen at any age. Here’s the skinny: The protective mechanisms in your body sense a lack of strength at important positions, and your brain tells the body to contract, and quickly. Greg Roskopf wants you to listen to those messages. Roskopf, 56, is the founder of Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT), a program that helps golfers—young and old, good and not-so-good—correct those imbalances of strength. “It’s like having loose battery cables,” Roskopf says. In this analogy, the battery is your central nervous system, and how it connects to your muscular system. From there, it’s a domino effect. Instability…

2:57 a.m. Sunrise on June 21st in Fairbanks, home to the northernmost golf course in No. America. 12:47 a.m. Sunset on June 21st in Fairbanks, the longest day of the year in Alaska: 21 hours, 50 minutes of daylight. $70 Highest greens fee in Alaska, at Anchorage Golf Course (though that’s the out-of-staters rate—Alaskans max out at $48). 23 Courses open for the 2019 season. Delaware, with 45, is the only other U.S. state with fewer than 50 golf courses. 0 Private courses. Alaska is the only state where every golf course is open to public play. 49 Number of states that have held a USGA Championship—all except Alaska. 1952 The year Moose Run Golf Course was established, making it the oldest course in Alaska—and older than the state itself!…

In the spring of 2011, with classes winding down at Rollins College, in Winter Park, Florida, Ian Gilley, a four-year letterman on the golf team, was grappling with a downside of growing up. Graduation meant that he and his two roommates, who were also teammates, would soon be parting ways, dispersed around the country into young adulthood. The three were kindred spirits, competitive golfers whose love for the game lay beyond the competition. One of their favorite courses was Sugarloaf Mountain, an un-Florida-like design that sat an easy drive from the Rollins campus. Affordable and walking-friendly, rich in character and quirk, it was their go-to spot for casual rounds, the embodiment of everything they thought that golf should be. That this fellowship was ending left Gilley feeling wistful. Keen to…

TOP 100 TEACHER CHRIS COMO is one of the most well-known golf instructors in the sport, having coached the likes of Tiger Woods and Trevor Immelman. It’s not every day that your run-of-the-mill weekend warrior gets the opportunity to receive a lesson from a coach of his stature. Well, that day has come—with access to Como himself! He’s the host of a new, eight-episode show on Golf Channel called Como Concepts, where Como and a plethora of golf experts provide viewers with proven advice on how to become better and more consistent players. It’s a well-produced show, and Como is one of the most articulate instructors in the game. The Best Part: Becoming a better golfer involves more than just taking practice swings. It encompasses a variety of stretches and…

BOX AND GO Check out the right angle formed between Kang’s right forearm and biceps. This boxlike structure helps create width and arm speed on the way down. Here’s a thought that will help: don’t pin your left arm to your left side. AN OPEN DISCUSSION Kang’s left wrist is slightly “cupped” at the top. Typically, this is associated with an open clubface, but if it feels good to you—as it obviously does for Kang—use it. As long as you work the wrist in the opposite direction coming down, you’ll be squared up for impact. TOO MUCH TURN? This is a massive upper-body turn. Popular instruction says to get your left shoulder under your chin on the backswing—Kang has certainly done that! Careful here: Too much torso turn risks setting…

WEEKEND GOLFERS DON’T ALWAYS HAVE TIME to properly warm up before their round. The good news is that you don’t always need to. If you have to skip the range to make your tee time, the following quick stretch can help you get loose (and longer) in a hurry. With the club you’ll be using for your first swing of the day (usually your driver), place your left hand in its normal grip position. Next, wrap your right hand around the shaft near the middle of the club, about a foot below your left hand (as shown below). Get in your golf posture and make a complete backswing turn. You want to feel your right knee flex, your weight shift into your trail hip and your body rotate. That’s where…

I love the tradition of the inspirational caddie (e.g., Bagger Vance), but in this day and age of rangefinders, etc., I think caddies should be eliminated from the pro tours. All the hype, psychology, yardages, etc., are simply an excuse for the pros not to carry their own bags. Golf is supposed to be an individual game, with no outside help allowed. To speed up the process, eliminate caddies, use a time clock, give the pros the latest rangefinder technology and just let them fend for themselves. Maybe allow carts to carry their bags, but in my opinion, if they can’t carry their own bag (barring medical limitations), they shouldn’t be playing. A four-hour round should be mandatory and enforced—they will learn! Make the pros play the game as it…

Who doesn’t like a walk among the pines? We know of one guy: the player who pushes a drive slightly right into a stately copse of evergreens and ends up with a lie like the one pictured at left. First, be careful where you trod: All those needles are sitting tightly on top of one another, and a misplaced step can set off a needle-to-needle chain reaction and cause your ball to move, eliciting a one-stroke penalty. Calm, player—you can do this. But how? A) sweep the ball off the pines, B) chop down as hard as you can, or C) give it the ’ol hand wedge? Turn to page 22 for the correct answer.…

This month in 1985: Donald Trump birdies a tough par 5 after nearly holing out a beautiful foot-wedge from just behind the green. This month in 1997: John Daly misses a cut, drives to the local Hooters and takes his shirt off in the parking lot—hang on, I’m being told this has actually happened at least once every month since 1997. This month in 2005: Scientists confirm that all golfers achieve Crenshaw-level accuracy while trying out new putters in the pro shop. Scientists also confirm that this accuracy dissipates immediately with the purchase of said new putter. This month: Inspired by victorious Kevin Na and his gift of a car to his caddie at the Colonial, Matt Kuchar captures the TOUR Championship and gifts his bagman a hubcap.…

5 Sunglasses 1 Callaway Wedge Artiste 3 Top-choice Accessories 2 TaylorMade Irons 1 Addition to Titleist’s TS Lineup 44 Items (maybe more) Found In Tony Finau’s Bag SHADES THAT SHINE If you’re looking for a pair of glasses that will transition seamlessly from the course to the rest of your life, this selection from Gucci is the perfect choice. The sporty frame is flattering for just about every face shape, while the pop of color on the lenses offers just the right degree of youthful trendiness to show that while you care about quality craftsmanship, you still pay attention to what’s current.…

TITLEIST HAS ROUNDED OUT its flagship TS driver family with a lightweight model engineered for moderate swing speed players. The TS1 ($499) weighs in at a svelte 275g, approximately 45g lighter than the standard TS2, yet it’s loaded with the same great tech built into its heavier siblings, including an ultra-thin titanium crown, a titanium Radial VFT (variable thickness) clubface and improved aerodynamics to enhance swing speed. The head weight is adjustable from -4g all the way to +6g, while Titleist’s SureFit hosel allows for 16 independent loft and lie settings. According to Josh Talge, VP of Marketing, Titleist Golf Clubs, the TS1 not only helps moderate swingers by promoting faster speed and higher launch, but also by producing spin rates that are approximately 200 rpm higher than the TS2.…

WHAT GOOD IS A PERFECTLY struck golf shot if you don’t have the correct distance dialed in? And let’s be honest: Do you really know how much to club up or down depending on elevation changes? These are the kinds of questions that can make or break your score. Enter the Bushnell Pro XE ($550), the next best thing to having Fluff Cowan in your pocket (and a lot more comfortable). Not only can the tech-packed unit read true distances up to 500+ yards, it’s also equipped with the ability to gauge barometric pressure (altitude), temperature and slope, giving you what Bushnell calls the “most precise, compensated distances ever.” For example, say you’re 140 yards from the pin, it’s a bit chilly out and you’re hitting to an elevated green.…

WOODS IS SMACK-DAB in the game, contending, captaining, mentoring, not long after he had just about written himself out of it. And he’s never seemed happier, don’t you think? Yes, this magazine, so devoted to helping you cure your slice, is now expanding its editorial mission. We’re taking it on: golf happiness, and life happiness. Or maybe we should say, as Jefferson did, the pursuit of happiness. He was all but predicting a Big Band composition, recorded by Larry Clinton and his Orchestra, called “Sometimes I’m Happy,” from the 1957 album Music for Tired Golfers. And so, after surveying top teachers, reading various books and watching It’s a Wonderful Life, we have devised a Big Three get-happy cheat sheet: 1) Be in the game, 2) Do for others, and 3) Live…

The smell of fresh-cut grass. Pulling a sharp little ensemble together. WHEN OUR BALL SETTLES NEXT TO A SPRINKLER WITH THE YARDAGE STAMPED ON IT. A toddler with a plastic club and ball on the practice green. Fixing our pitch mark that’s two feet from a hole. PULLING INTO THE CLUB’S PARKING LOT. Turning off the cell phone from arrival until departure. Testing all the latest and greatest clubs. FINDING A BRAND-NEW PRO V1 IN THE WOODS—THAT ISN’T OURS. Walking up the first fairway just as the sun comes up. Tugging on a new glove and snapping it into place. Stumbling onto a good scene from Caddyshack at 2 a.m. AN OPEN SPOT AT THE END OF THE RANGE. The sound of a made putt rattling around in the cup.…

While daily fantasy is the leading form of fantasy golf, other varieties exist. In some, participants may select golfers without a budget but are capped by the amount of times they can play the same golfer during the season. Other common formats allow participants to select players from pre-determined “tiers” based on skill, while some fantasy leagues hold a preseason or weekly draft. There’s no “right” approach, and if you and your buddies want to customize the rules, feel free. You’ll just have to be your own statistician.…

Balky Back? Let’s fix that. DR. MICHAEL MIZHIRITSKY, co-founder of New York Joint & Bone Specialists, says there are important pre-round preventive measures. After a gentle rotation exercise—twisting your hips back and forth—stretch your hamstrings by reaching for your toes, with your knee straight, for 20-30 seconds per leg. For quadriceps, stand on one leg and bend your knee while holding onto an ankle. For your hip muscles, sit and cross one leg over the other and pull on the knee of your crossed leg while rotating your body in the other direction. Follow these stretches with a range session that starts at 50 percent speed. Do the same stretches immediately post-round, with one addition: Find a spot to lie down and bring your knees to your chest. Brady Riggs,…

IT’S 1986, HIGH SCHOOL graduation week. My father, Bob—briefly a Tour pro—and I volunteered at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, near our home. As a standard bearer, I was paired on Sunday with Dave Eichelberger and Mark Calcavecchia. That’s a lot of letters to lug, but walking 10 feet from Calc as he shot a course-record 65 was unforgettable. Addictive, too. When the Open returned to Shinnecock in 1995, I had another lucky pairing as standard bearer, with John Daly. Daly loved to chat, and he gave me an autographed Arkansas Razorback logoed ball that I still have. Dad and I worked the leaderboards and driving range at the Opens at Bethpage in 2002 and 2009. He’d played the Black hundreds of times as a kid and in ’09…

Another queasy Spring Break morning. The Palm Springs temps were already triple-digits, so I did my best to stay out of the direct sun. The first few holes went okay, a bit unsteady, game expectedly shabby. Around hole 11, I went to peg my ball and I stumbled slightly. Enough for my partners to notice. “You all right?” I told them I was. My ball moved in and out of focus. I stepped away to clear the cobwebs, stood back in and managed to make contact. Things started to get fuzzier from there. I went back to the cart and put an ice-cold towel over my head. Despite the arid atmosphere, my lungs felt heavy, and it was hard to catch my breath. Everything moved in slow motion. I knew…

DANNY LEE is a fascinating, hilarious guy. He has two gears of speed—but can also skip straight past a third gear into fourth, which he just calls “really long.” He does a lot of speed drills before tourney rounds. The crazy-looking drill pictured at right is called the “Helicopter.” Danny (1) takes the club up directly vertical, over his head, then (2) around his body, and then he just swings out of his shoes. Why? He wants to get his speed up beforehand to better control a slower speed during the round. Danny feels if he can swing the club at almost 130 mph while warming up, he can handle 117 or 118 on the course, which is where he’s at now, up from 109-110 when we started working together.…

1. Commitment Is it one foursome? Two? Three threesomes? Every trip needs a clearly defined number of participants—and undying commitment from all. If half the group is on the fence, you’re planning on eight and ending up with five…and nothing is worse than five. 2. A Commish Select your Jay Monahan—a responsible, clued-in commissioner who knows the plans, everyone’s contact info, flight schedules, etc. With this great responsibility comes one great benefit: When a group vote is deadlocked, the commish gets the final word. 3. A Name Tour pro Joel Dahmen plays with his pals in the annual “Hack Masters.” Charles Barkley and the on-air b-ball talent at TNT tee it up in the “Black Masters.” Your squad needs a unique moniker, too. All trip communications should involve this name,…

DR. LARRY BISHOP, a Melbourne, Fla.-based dermatologic surgeon, counts many golfers as patients, so he knows a thing or two about sunscreen. Below are his favorites, culled specifically for their usefulness on the course. Put them on 30 minutes before you head outside, and reapply every two hours. Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray “The ease of use, combined with evenness of application, makes this sunscreen a winner.” Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 45 Dry Touch “It goes on easily and disappears quickly upon application—and it doesn’t leave you with greasy hands.” Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen SPF 50 “Pro tip: Use a ‘tears free’ children’s formula sunscreen for your face. The last thing you need when lining up a shot is a searing trickle of sweat and…

14 Consecutive years Alaska has held a local qualifier, dating back to 2006. 3 Non-Alaskans who have earned medalist honors in those 14 events. 0 Number of Alaskan qualifiers who have advanced through Sectional Qualifying to the U.S. Open. 13 Competitors in the 2019 Alaskan qualifier—seven Alaska residents and six outsiders. 4 Times Alaskan pro Billy Bomar has won the local qualifier (the most of any player). 4 Consecutive runner-up finishes for Adam Baxter (who has never qualified), from 2015-’18. 6 Stimpmeter reading on Palmer Golf Course’s greens the morning of the competition (Pebble Beach runs around a 13).…

Listed under the label “Hidden Gems Project” on their website are 98 Sugarloaf-approved golf courses, most of which are awesomely affordable and vintage. According to the Sugarloafers, these are some of the gemmiest of the hidden gems: RAVISLOE CC Homewood, Ill. For nearly 100 years, this 1901 Donald Ross track was private. Not anymore. THE FENWICK GC Old Saybrook, Conn. This nine-holer with seaside views is the oldest public course in Connecticut. THE VISTA LINKS Buena Vista, Va. The Sugarloafers enthusiastically call this track in the Blue Ridge Mountains a “poor man’s Ballyhack.” GEARHART GOLF LINKS Gearhart, Ore. Dating back to 1892, this coastal links-style 18 is said to be the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi. AIKEN GC, Aiken, S.C. A 1915 gem from course architect and founding…

CONNECTICUT Great River GC Milford A wooded, parkland outward nine morphs into a links-style inward nine with water (including the Housatonic River) coming into play on every hole. greatrivergolfclub.com Lake of Isles (North) North Stonington One of two Rees Jones–designed 18s here, the North can stretch to 7,300 yards, with a slope of 147—it’s rugged but fair from all five sets of tees. lakeofisles.com Wintonbury Hills GC Bloomfield Fifteen minutes from Hartford, this pristine par-70 Pete Dye design from 2005 winningly mixes links-style and tree-lined golf. wintonburyhillsgolf.com MAINE Belgrade Lakes GC Belgrade Lakes A beautiful course from British architect Clive Clark in a beautiful place—On Golden Pond was filmed here. belgradelakesgolf.com The Ledges GC York Local architect Brad Booth’s hilly layout moved minimal earth and sports seriously fast and undulating…

Tony Jacklin’s claim to fame includes his two major victories—at the 1969 Open and 1973 U.S. Open—two Ryder Cup victories as captain of the European team, and 30 pro wins. But the Hall of Famer is now focused on a new passion: writing. He and Shelby Yastrow, a former legal counsel for McDonald’s, have produced an engaging novel called Bad Lies (Mascot Books, $29.95), which tells the story of a pro golfer named Eddie Bennison and his legal fight against a golf magazine. The book details the battle that Bennison and his legal team—who accuse the magazine of publishing libelous claims about the golfer—wage against the publication, which claims First Amendment protection from the charges. It’s an inspiring story that offers hope to any weekend warrior who believes that he…

Andre Iguodala has won three NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors, snagged Olympic gold, and was named the MVP of the 2015 finals. But when he’s not sinking threes and racking up triple-doubles, the 35-year-old swingman can most likely be found on the golf course. We spoke with Iguodala about his new memoir, The Sixth Man, Steph, Kazaam and air balls. How often do you play golf? As much as possible. I’m surprised the Warriors let you. Aren’t there clauses in your contract that, for safety reasons, forbid you to play other sports? Yeah, but I mean, it’s free time, right? Golf’s kind of like bowling or playing Ping-Pong. It’s not that strenuous as far as the body goes. It’s more so the mind. It’s my place of peace.…

Nike’s Tiger Woods “Frank” T-Shirt, $35. At his pre-Masters press conference, Tiger Woods donned a polo showcasing his beloved headcover in place of a Nike swoosh, and it basically broke the Internet. Nike’s ensuing retail offering allows fans to jump on the return-of-the-roar bandwagon with this charming homage to both Big Cats: Tiger himself, and the most famous headcover in history.…

IN ITS SIMPLEST FORM, golf can be reduced to two elements: a ball and a hole. The former is purchased. The latter, it turns out, requires hours of tedium each day. A finely tuned art form executed at dawn. Steve Rabideau and his team at Winged Foot GC in Mamaroneck, N.Y. spend roughly 10 minutes per green perfecting this changeover. So the next time you’re perturbed about the hole location, or feel like griping about the lack of green to work with or the woebegone putt that skirts the edge, please recall the loving care that went into that 4.25-inch target. And maybe keep your head still next time.…

WHILE HIS FIRST PGA TOUR VICTORY continues to elude him, Tommy Fleetwood, 28, remains one of the most popular figures in the game for fans on both sides of the Atlantic. The affable Englishman has had plenty to crow about outside a stateside victory, being, at one point, the number-one ranked amateur in the world. And despite some struggles, he’s on a cut-streak tear in which he’s missed the weekend only once in his past 31 Tour events (through the U.S. Open). Plus, how many people can list “Ryder Cup hero” on their résumé? Fleetwood is Rory McIlroy–sized, and like his Ryder compatriot, can motor the club at speeds that belie his stature. Make no mistake, however: Fleetwood is no “bomb-and-gouger.” He has a full game with mechanics that create…

No offense to mid- and high-handicappers, but PING’s Blueprint irons ($230 each) are better player’s sticks, despite their tempting looks. With the smallest profile in PING’s iron lineup, consistently catching the center of the face isn’t only suggested, it’s critical. Each head is forged from 8620 carbon steel and delivers premium workability and trajectory control. In creating the Blueprint, PING sought feedback from some of the best ballstrikers in the world, including staffers Louis Oosthuizen and Tony Finau. It’s no surprise, then, that a compact blade length, reduced offset and narrow sole width—all features better players embrace—made it to the final design. An ounce or two of forgiveness is offered via a machined tungsten toe screw, but make no mistake: The Blueprint screams “Player!”…

BEFORE YOU BUY CHOOSE THE RIGHT FRAME FOR YOUR FACE SHAPE Most of us fall into the following face-shape categories: oval, heart (wide at forehead, narrow at jaw), round, square (equally wide cheekbones, forehead and jaw), and triangle (narrow forehead and wide jaw). OVAL: Just about everything will look good, but wide and oversized frames will be particularly flattering. HEART: Round/oval shapes are definitely your best bet. ROUND: Sharp-angled and wide frames are a good choice for you. SQUARE: Go with rimless and/or round frames. TRIANGLE: You’ll shine in horn-rimmed and cat-eye styles.…

The Club Glove Tandem Microfiber (shown above, $23) is a Tour-size waffle-textured caddie towel that measures 17” x 40” and is made with an 8-inch elongated slit right in the middle to fit over just about any clubhead. The unique waffle texture also allows this non-abrasive beauty—which is available in numerous color options—to hold approximately 400 percent of its weight in water. It also comes with a handy 8” x 12” pocket-sized towel for putter and ball cleaning around the green. And for those who might be looking for a gift pack for family members, golf buddies or anyone who just wants a variety of colors to choose from, a Tour Pro 6-Pack ($120) is also available on clubglove.com, allowing you to pick from 29 hues, free embroidery included. If…

WITH JORDAN SPIETH’S putter rounding back into form, the Texan chose to tackle another area of his game that’s held him back at times this season: driving. Content with Titleist’s TS3 head, Spieth began the search for a shaft to match his recent swing changes. With center face-impact location and directional control as top priorities, Spieth had several shaft options built to test, but it was the Fujikura Ventus that stood out. The shaft’s reinforced tip moved Spieth’s toe impact locations closer to the sweet spot with similar ball speed (170-172 mph) while greatly improving misses. THERE ARE VERY FEW equipment variables that Dustin Johnson is unwilling to alter in his quest to improve. But if there’s one he’s been more reluctant to change over the years, it’s his driver…

MICHELLE WIE All those nagging injuries, and still she bestows that wonderful smile at seemingly every opportunity. RICKIE FOWLER Golf’s version of Leonardo DiCaprio, we can’t wait to see his lit-up face when he wins that elusive first major. XANDER SCHAUFFELE Is there a more likable face in golf? How could anyone not root for the X-Man? TIGER WOODS Sure, he can intimidate the field with his fierce intensity… but a smiling Tiger truly illuminates the golf course. KEVIN NA That grin has helped everyone stop obsessing about his pace of play and focus on how goshdarn likable he is. BROOKE HENDERSON The darling of Canada, thanks to her eight LPGA wins—and those pearly whites.…

EXTENDING THE invitation is a good start, but hosting requires you to do a whole lot more. I operate an online service that connects more than 3,000 members at private clubs—it’s important for me to get it right. Here are the critical dos and don’ts. Prep your guest. Dress codes. Cell-phone policies. Tipping customs. Clarifying the rules in advance can avoid embarrassment for them—and you. Alert the staff. Nothing says “welcome” like a personal greeting. Let the club know your guest’s name and expected time of arrival, so everyone can be prepared to say hello and roll out the red carpet. Allow for pre- and post-game activities. Tee time’s not until 2 p.m.? Your guest should still feel free to show up well before then. Hit balls. Take a sauna.…

FOR TOO MANY OF US, the notion of “giving back” means dunking our tee shot in the drink right after taking a 1-up lead. Sorry, but that’s coming up short figuratively, too. Golf needs our charity to thrive—and this charity deepens our own bonds to the game while being a force for good. Here are some thought-starters you should turn into action. Donate Consider giving to PGA REACH, the PGA of America’s nonprofit foundation, which works to enrich the lives of youth, the military, and diverse populations through access to PGA of America pros, PGA Sections and the game of golf itself. Another option: the USGA Foundation, for its missions of environmental sustainability, mentoring golf’s next-gen leaders, increasing access to the game, and celebrating its traditions. Volunteer—USGA Go to usga.org…

The 2020 U.S. Open promises to be the most special one yet for my family, and not because it will be held on majestic Winged Foot. My older son, 17-year-old Josh, will join Dad and me as we make it three generations of volunteering Obers. Josh has some relevant experience as a a high school golfer who’s also helped out with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. But I’ve warned him—nothing can prepare you for being in the mix on Sunday at a major… even if you’re not hitting a ball.…

YOU KNOW THE OLD CADDIE wisdom, “Show up, keep up, shut up”? My long, successful career as a freeloader—er, golf journalist—has taught me that being a well-liked guest is only a bit more complicated than being a well-regarded looper. Here are the key lessons I’ve learned over the years. Be like a caddie. Show up on time, which means early enough to warm up but not prior to the grounds crew’s arrival. Keep up with your host’s playing pace, not rushing nor (especially) slowing him or her down. Shut up if you have anything negative to say about the course, the conditions, whatever. Say something nice. Without obvious toadying, mix in the occasional kind remark about the course and your host’s game—everyone likes a compliment now and then. Every three…

Want to improve fast but are short on time? Two Top 100 Teachers dish on how to wring the most out of wee practice sessions. Choose one shot you like the least, say, a greenside bunker shot, and focus all your time on that single thing. —Kellie Stenzel Start with five minutes of putting from 10 feet and in, then five minutes of putting from 20, 30 and 40 feet. Spend the next five minutes on shots from 100-150 yards, aiming for crisp contact. Finish with five minutes of driving, with a focus on sticking to your shot shape.…

Many of us have flown our clubs somewhere—to a buddies trip, a member-guest tournament, etc. We zip them up in a travel case, roll them into the departure terminal, bid them goodbye for a few hours and wait impatiently for them at Oversized Baggage. Flying with clubs in Alaska—where the population ranks 48th among the states but the number of registered aircraft ranks sixth—generally means flying your own plane with your clubs in the backseat. That’s particularly true at Palmer GC, where the runway for Palmer Municipal Airport carves through the back nine. Adam Baxter (left) is among the many fly-guys who buzz in and out of Palmer to play. Anchorage resident Tim Ruf, 52, is another one. He’s been landing his Cessna 185 at Palmer Muni for 20-plus years.…

…there’s fire. Where has one of the most beautiful swings in golf been hiding? Overseas is your answer. In the Netherlands, to be exact, taking root some 14 years ago, when nine-year-old Anne van Dam would take her favorite club—driver—and swing it as fast as she could. Not once, but over and over again. She made it a game, as kids are prone to do: 1) pick a target, 2) build up enough speed to get it there, 3) pick another target further down the range, 4) repeat step 2. It started at 150 yards. Then 220 yards. Then, less defined distances: beyond the final marker; halfway up the net at the back of the range; out of the ballpark. With every swing her muscles grew stronger, her technique more…

I’m aware of my age; I’m 39 now. Outside of winning, I’m primarily focused on recovery and health. I’m hoping that’ll set me up for a big 2020, when we’ve got the Ryder Cup and the Olympics, on top of everything else. When it comes to tournament nutrition, I’m lucky—we have a chef with us during the big weeks. That said, I’m normally faced with making my own meal decisions to help me stay sharp. I don’t go gluten-free all the time, but I do in the springtime. I find that it really helps my allergies. Pollen and I aren’t always the best of friends. Some tee times on Tour can be tricky, like midday. If you tee off at 12, it means you want to be out warming up…

The instruction industry is chock full of technology to help you identify and fix mistakes in your swing. If you lack access to these tools, a bath towel and some duct tape can also do the trick. Used correctly, they can also boost speed and improve every segment of your motion. Here’s how. STEP 1: Roll up the towel and bind the ends with the duct tape as shown (the tape also gives the towel some weight). Drape the towel around your neck. Grab the end closest to your trail shoulder, make your backswing and hold (left). This presets you in the ideal top position. STEP 2: As you begin your downswing, rotate your lower body while keeping the towel draped over your shoulders. Continue to turn until the force…

I’VE STRUGGLED WITH PUTTING YIPS since the early 2000s. I found relief in the long putter, but relapsed after the anchoring ban. I’ve gone as far as putting right-handed in competition (I’m a lefty), so I consider myself an experienced expert on the topic, if not a guinea pig. One thing that will help is to determine if your lead or trail hand is the culprit. A great way to do this is to putt with one hand from three feet. Test the trail hand first, then the lead. This may or may not reveal the source, but it’s a great starting point. Odds are you’ll find that you putt worse when holding the handle with your lead hand only. As it has been for countless other golfers, a grip…

YOUR SETUP IS THE EASIEST PART of your swing to control. It’s why professional golfers spend so much time focusing on this part of their routine. When’s the last time you thought about your setup? If you’re like most amateurs, it’s been far too long. If anything, it’s critical to make sure the clubface is aligned correctly at address. Errors here lead to errant shot patterns, which force you to change your swing (difficult) when all you had to do was change your setup (easy). Try this: Address the ball, take your left hand off the club and rest it on your left thigh. Look at your target, then with your right hand only, point the clubface in that direction. Once your clubface is aimed properly, return your left hand…