Innholdsfortegnelse for September - October 2024 i Golf Magazine

From the Editor Alexa Pano knows something about being a kid in the spotlight. The 20-year-old, who, in just her second season on the circuit, is already an LPGA Tour winner, first emerged as a seven-year-old phenom in the must-see, Justin Timberlake–produced 2013 documentary The Short Game (Netflix). So, when GOLF Senior Writer Dylan Dethier caught up with Pano in August at the Portland Classic in Oregon, she was the perfect person to share some thoughts on Lexi Thompson (p. 44), arguably American golf’s ultimate child prodigy, and her surprise decision to pull back from full-time golf at the end of this season. Pano wasn’t the only LPGA pro whose tribute to Thompson that day flowed with affection and admiration, but hers might have been the most personal. “I’d consider…

Clubhouse IF YOU WATCH a lot of pro swings online, either face-on or downthe-line like I’m pictured, you’ll realize— or at least I have—that they all reach the same delivery position, or the moment just before the club accelerates into the ball. It’s something you should practice. Make a slow-motion swing, then stop right about where you see me here. Three things to look for: 1) Your hands are slightly in front of your trail leg, 2) the shaft is parallel to the ground and 3) the face of the club is slightly closed. Nailing these three pro-proven delivery elements are what allow you to unwind freely and produce shaft lean at impact, which is the secret to compressing the ball. If you stop your downswing and notice that any…

Clubhouse Scan this code for 20% off the monthly membership price of Parker McLachlin’s online video lessons (shortgamechef.com). FINDING YOUR BALL IN A DIVOT is about the worst bit of luck you can imagine. Relax—you can do this! First things first: Check how much green you have to work with. If it’s ample, throttle down to your gap wedge, position the ball a bit farther back in your stance, set the majority of your weight over your front foot and lean the shaft toward the target. These setup changes will almost ensure ballfirst contact and negate any problems with the ball sitting down in a divot. The ball will come out low and fast but with enough backspin to hold the green. If, however, you’re short-sided, opt for your sand…

GEAR Scan this code to discover more about this Tour-tested driver at Fairway Jockey and buy one for yourself. ONE LOOK AT THE DRIVING ACCURACY NUMBERS on the PGA Tour confirms something GOLF’s gear team has known for months: TaylorMade’s Qi10 drivers are impossibly good. Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa and Rory McIlroy all improved their accuracy by 16-plus percent since switching to Qi10. The improvement data isn’t a typo. According to robotic testing insights from GOLF’s partnership with Golf Laboratories, few drivers retained ball speeds across the entire face as well as Qi10. Several models, particularly Qi10 and Qi10 Max, saw little to no distance loss on high toe misses. Along with providing superior ball speed protection on high toe misses, the 12-degree Qi10, Qi10 Max and 10.5-degree Qi10 saw…

GEAR GOLF + SOUTH KOREA DO CLOTHES MAKE THE PLAYER? The golf-obsessed country of South Korea (see p. 52) seems to think so and, through the pandemic to today, has backed up the belief with their wallets. While specific numbers are difficult to track, it’s estimated that golfers worldwide spend around $9 billion on golf apparel each year—and 45 percent of that is spent by South Koreans. (For those keeping score, the U.S. consumers’ share is around 25 percent of the global fashion pie.) What South Koreans buy is youthful, trendy and, most times, expensive, and, with more and more luxury brands entering the space, golfers in the Land of the Morning Calm often drop more than $700 dollars (U.S.) for just a pair of trousers and a polo. Traditional looks…

Ping-Pong Unlike the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup has, since its start in 1990, been back-and-forth competitive, with the U.S. leading the series 10-8 (including a tie with the Cup retained by Europe). In ’24, Europe will seek to be the first side to keep the Cup four straight times. Percentage Players If you were assembling a fantasy foursome or four-ball match, here are the dream teams: U.S.A. Dottie Pepper (Career Cup record: 13-5-2) Christina Kim (6-2-2) VS. EUROPE Janice Moodie (7-2-2) Carin Koch (10-3-3) Town and Country Since 1990, 14 different countries have been represented on Team Europe, with the most players coming from England and Sweden. In the United States, California and Florida (no surprise) account for a substantial number of our Cuppers. Geography may or may not…

8AM Happenings This summer, Miura Golf launched a new series of Forged Wedges ($320), building on the success of its Milled Tour line. As any discerning golfer would come to expect from the house of Miura, class, looks and performance reign supreme. “This is the first time that we’ve addressed the importance of grind on our wedges and confidently given the golfer something that fits their game, regardless of their swing,” says Bill Holowaty, Miura COO. So… enter the C grind (for golfers who play open-face shots around the green) and the Y (best for a neutral to steep attack angle with a leading edge that promotes consistent turf interaction). Get yours at FairwayJockey.com. NOT YOUR AVERAGE BEAR After winning low amateur honors at the 2024 Masters and U.S. Open,…

Clubhouse GOLF.COM / SMART GOLF STARTS HERE / SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 CALLING FROM FOXHILLS CC IN SURREY, ENGLAND, CAPPING OFF A PRACTICE SESSION Dylan Dethier: You grew up in a small town a couple hours north of London. What’s your first golfing memory? Charley Hull: When I was, like, three, I’d play with my dad down at his golf course, Kettering Golf Club. I used to just walk around with him at first. Then we’d play. DD: Did you play other sports or was it always golf? CH: I did play [soccer] and stuff like that, but I spent every day at the golf course. DD: And were you good at the game right away? CH: Yeah. Everyone used to say I always had that “natural talent.” DD: What’s the first time you…

Chance Cozby's Smoked Queso Dip > 2 lbs Velveeta Queso Blanco (or regular Velveeta works as well), cubed > 8 oz pepper jack cheese, cubed > 3 jalapeños, diced and seeded > 2 cans Rotel (original, fireroasted or hot— whatever you prefer) > 1 can cream of jalapeño soup (Sub in cream of chicken if jalapeño is not available in your region.) > 2 tbsp barbecue rub (I use Meat Church Holy Voo Doo.) > ½ cup fire-roasted green chiles (for some added flavor) Place ingredients in a large Dutch oven and put in a smoker at 250 degrees for 1½ hours, stirring every 30 minutes. You can also prepare this dish in a slow cooker. Serve with tortilla chips or Fritos. For more recipes from Cozby, visit GOLF.com/clubhouse+eats. IF YOU’RE LOOKING for an easy way…

Gary McCord: Peter, something insane is happening in golf: YouTube instruction videos. Once you start watching, you can’t stop. It’s a rabbit hole. Peter Kostis: At one time, teachers made a living giving real lessons. Now, there are new methods, basically fueled by marketing and money. And because people are making money, they’re putting random tips out there, yet the average golfer has got a 0.002 percent chance of picking the right tip for their problem. GM: Yep. PK: Gary, I do go online, generally with a glass of red wine and at night, and look at this stuff. I’m going to say it right now: 10 percent of it is good, 10 percent of it is quite good and 30 percent probably won’t do anyone any harm. The rest?…

GEAR GOLF.COM / THE BEST STUFF IN THE GAME THE WINNINGEST PUTTER on the PGA Tour this season isn’t some newfangled wand loaded with the latest technology. TaylorMade’s Spider has been around the block for 15-plus years, which is the definition of staying power in an industry that’s rapidly evolving with each product cycle. For decades, Anser-style blades remained the putter of choice for golf ’s elite, mostly because they didn’t have many options. Oversize versions like Jack Nicklaus’ famed MacGregor Response ZT 615 putter—best known as the 1986 Masters-winning putter-came and went, and it wasn’t until Y2K that pros and amateurs alike started to take the beefy behemoths seriously. The original Monza Spider, released in 2008, was one of the mallets that helped flip the script. The steel frame…

GEAR FUJIKURA’S VENTUS VELOCORE+ BLUE was never going to be an only child for very long. Early success and acceptance on Tour—Scottie Scheffler swears by the shaft— eventually gave way to the introduction of two new profiles that are already making waves: VeloCore+ Red and Black ($350 each). Arguably the most popular driver and fairway wood shaft in the marketplace, Ventus’ newest profiles aim to benefit golfers who require specific launch and spin windows. The Red is designed for golfers looking to add height through a stable spin profile, while the Black is geared for faster swing speeds seeking a robust low launch and spin package. While the profiles are decidedly different, both incorporate Fujikura’s proprietary VeloCore+ technology, which promotes greater energy transfer through a multi-material bias core leading to…

TO SPORTS FANS, fall means two things: Get in more golf before it gets too cold, and the MLB playoffs are heating up. Dormie has the perfect headcover option for all baseball-loving golfers. The Designated Hitter driver sheath ($195, above) is constructed of hand-laced, distressed leather. Think of it as a catcher’s mitt for your big stick. Dormie also offers baseball headcovers for your fairway wood (Pinch Hitter), hybrids (Switch Hitter), blade (Bullpen XL) and mallet (Closer and Walk Off). These Cooperstown-worthy covers are meticulously constructed by Dormie Workshop craftsmen in Canada. And while the Blue Jays haven’t been to the World Series in 30 years, their passion for the game remains. Scan here to visit Fairway Jockey, where you can step up to the plate and get your own…

As LEXI THOMPSON bids farewell to the LPGA Tour, the beloved American star revisits the highs and lows of a golf life lived absolutely in full a luxe, newly constructed private enclave in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., with a championship course codesigned by Justin Thomas and Jack Nicklaus—and Lexi Thompson is already seated in the hair and makeup chair, prepping for a full day of shooting portraits, videos and sitting for a lengthy interview. “I’ve gotten to experience a life that people dream of, so I’m grateful for that.” It’s 8:45 a.m. on a Tuesday in August at Panther National- The occasion? A celebration—and retrospective—of a career well played. The 29-year-old, who lives 45 minutes southeast, in Delray Beach, and is among a handful of top-tier pros to hold a membership at Panther,…

1988 Ok-Hee Ku captures the Standard Register Turquoise Classic to become the first Korean winner on the LPGA Tour. 1998 Se-Ri Pak becomes the first Korean major champion at the U.S. Women’s Open, eventually capturing five majors among 25 LPGA titles. Of the past 27 USWO champions, 11 have been from South Korea. 1999 K.J. Choi, the son of South Korean farmers, makes it through Q-School to become the first Korean to play full time on the PGA Tour. 2002 Choi wins the Zurich Classic for the first of his eight PGA Tour titles. 2006 Y.E. Yang wins the HSBC Championship at China’s Sheshan GC over World No. 1 Tiger Woods and World No. 2 Jim Furyk. 2007 Choi wins the Memorial Tournament in front of host Jack Nicklaus, whose…

AS these pages have already made abundantly clear, South Korea has soared to become one of the golfiest nations on earth, rivaling even the U.S. Its residents’ almost viral infatuation with birdies and bogeys, however, is only half the story. Here, business, sponsorship and investment is booming. It’s a rags-to-riches tale: South Korea, since its war against the north, has catapulted its way from being a very poor country to one of great wealth and prosperity. In fact, in 2022, its GDP hit $1.65 trillion, making it the 13th largest economy in the world. A chunk of that money has been funneled into the golf space. South Korea–based companies have become some of the game’s most important corporate sponsors. Upscale auto manufacturer Genesis, a subsidy of Seoul-based Hyundai, sponsors two…

THINK / PLAY / LIVE: THE ENLIGHTENED GAME Lessons MOST WEEKEND PLAYERS tend to hang back at impact, or “dump” the club too early. The culprits: not enough body turn or weight shift on the downswing. Try this: Make a swing, carving out a divot near your trail foot. Yes, your trail foot. Make another swing, digging out another divot just in front of the first. Keep doing this for six more swings, producing a divot slightly in front of the last in a semicircle pattern, mimicking proper swing path, like you see pictured. Naturally, you’ll learn how to orient your downswing sequence and body movement to get each divot in the right spot. Sure, it’s overdoing things a bit, but this drill gives you all the right feels to produce…

You might think hitting toward the pin on a par 3 yields the best results, but oftentimes that only invites trouble. Instead, you need to play the percentages, broken down to two easy steps with the help of a rangefinder. 1. If there’s a hazard between you and the flag, shoot the yardage to cover that obstacle. 2. Next, consider the distance to the back of the green. This value is the maximum you want the shot to travel. Then select a club that will get you between that hazard-carry yardage and the max. Getting that range between the front and back gives you a much larger target area to aim for. If you can consistently hit in that zone, you’ll give yourself a lot more birdie looks. —GOLF Teacher…

LESSONS: SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 1. Widen your arc As you shift to your back side going back, push against the grip with your trail hand. You’ll extend your arms and move the clubhead as far away as possible, setting up a powerful downswing. 2. Get to the top I swing at about 80 percent effort but always make a good upper-body windup. I see a lot of amateurs cut off their backswings and rush the club down to the ball. Don’t. 3. Let it all go There’s too many armswingers out there. As you release the club, include your torso, hips and legs so that everything moves through together. Get it right and you’ll hit the ball hard. For more Timeless Tips, become an Inside Golf member. One of the many perks…

Owning a pre-shot routine is the best way to guarantee success off the tee. Here’s what I recommend:…

THINK / PLAY / LIVE YOUR DOWNSWING IS TOO STEEP and to the left. How do you know? You hit wicked pulls, pull hooks and slices, depending on what the clubface is doing at impact. You need to groove a bit more of a flatter swing. Here’s a simple drill that’ll help fix the problem with just a few repetitions. Set up like normal but with a second ball placed roughly two clubhead widths in front of the one you’re actually going to hit. The goal here, as you can probably imagine, is to hit the first ball and miss the second, something that’ll be difficult to do if you swing over the top. Before you start, reach down and touch your trail leg (below) as a reminder to hang…

G: How’s your game? SY: I think I’ve finally unraveled it. G: It was tangled? SY: I grew up on the mean streets of Greenwich, Connecticut. I caddied but I didn’t play much. I just grabbed my dad’s righty clubs and started whaling away. But when you’re left-handed playing righty, you have some fundamental problems. G: So you play lefty now? SY: My wife wants me to do that. She said, “If you’re going to suck this badly, you should switch to lefty.” But I said, No, I can fix this. I finally capitulated and asked for help. G: Who’s your guru? SY: [Former Tour player] Keith Clearwater is a buddy. I send him videos. We go back and forth. The problem with golf is you’re never doing what you…

30 The number of days after his 20th birthday that Nick Dunlap captured the American Express title, making him the eighth-youngest PGA Tour winner of all time and the second youngest in the modern era after Jordan Spieth (2013 John Deere Classic; age 19). 16 Age in years of Kyle Suppa when he made the cut at the 2015 Sony Open, making him the youngest ever to play on a PGA Tour weekend. Recently, two other sweet-16ers have done it: Kris Kim (2024 CJ Cup) and Blades Brown (2024 Myrtle Beach Classic). 66 YEARS THAT PASSED BETWEEN BILLY JOE PATTON BECOMING THE FIRST AMATEUR TO FINISH TOP 10 IN CONSECUTIVE TOUR STARTS AND LUKE CLANTON MATCHING THE FEAT AT THE 2024 ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC AND 2024 JOHN DEERE. 10 GOLFERS…

Clubhouse THERE ISN’T A TOUR PLAYER alive who doesn’t know his swing measurements by heart. Following their lead could be the next big step you make in your search for lower scores. The trick: making sense of the numbers so you know what’s working and what isn’t. Focus on the following: Clubhead Speed This is largely considered one of the primary indicators of a golfer’s true potential. Whether you want to curve the ball, make it stop on a dime or hit the living daylights out of it, you need speed. Obviously, the more mph the better. Ball Spin Spin values say a lot about the quality of your strike. They’re also primary parameters to consider if a club is optimally fit for a player. Also critical is the axis…

Discover tons of comprehensive coverage on all things equipment when you head to GOLF.com/gear. YOUR GRIPS ARE the only connection you have between you and your golf clubs, and, once they start losing traction, it is time to rejuvenate your set with some fresh grips to make those clubs feel like new again.…

MODERN AEROSPACE manufacturing techniques, data analysis and clubfitting tools have allowed equipment manufacturers to push the boundaries of design in every category of club. These advancements help golfers of all skill levels hit longer, higher and straighter more often. As a result, they’re able to enjoy the game to a greater degree. Whether it’s through the use of rapid prototyping and 3D printing or a better understanding of how to help golfers save shots by using A.I. to refine face geometry, ever-evolving tech in club design continues to provide golfers an edge on every shot. These clubs are best in class. PING G430 MAX 10K As the name suggests, the PING G430 Max 10k pushes the limits of club head MOI (a measurement of forgiveness) to a combined 10,000. For…

VIKTOR HOVLAND HAS NEVER been one to make rash equipment decisions. Sift through his bag and you’ll find that nearly every PING club is several years old, including a Glide 2.0 lob wedge from 2017. Only this isn’t your everyday Glide 2.0. The sole geometry and turf interaction is actually designed to mimic what’s currently found on PING’s s159 scoring tools. Talk about hiding in plain sight. As the story goes, Hovland started to see a noticeable uptick in his short-game performance and asked PING Tour reps for a true 60 degree to replace the low-bounce 58TS (Thin Sole), which was bent 2 degrees weak, for more versatility around the green. The wedge stuck and played a part in his torrid finish to the season that culminated in a one-year…

Stacy Lewis “I think Lexi has done a tremendous amount for women’s golf. I look back to when she came out and the LPGA was probably at its lowest of lows. She did everything she could to help our tour. There was no, ‘I’m a star. I don’t need to do this kind of stuff.’ For me, some of it’s also the heartbreak. That’s a part of Lexi’s story. But it’s her bounceback that amazes me. I mean, what she did at Solheim last year was amazing. She was playing poorly that year, but I put her out there in the first match. I put her last in the Sunday singles. I put her in pressure situations, and she crushed it. We need to continue to celebrate Lexi. She’s helped…

“Hold your finish.” You’ve heard that one before, but what most people think is a finish is actually just a full follow-through. There’s more to it than that, and a real finish can actually help your aim at address. I’ll walk you through it. Make a swing all the way to a full follow-through [1]. Without stopping, recoil and get your arms back in front of you [2]. This is the true finish position. But there’s more. As you track the ball, let your arms drop [3]. Finally, bring your arms back up in front of your torso, keeping them straight and stopping when your hands reach shoulder height [4]. This allows you to create what I call a Finish Window. Look through your window: Did the ball end up…

THINK / PLAY / LIVE THE GREAT HARVEY PENICK used to ask his students to practice their short games by hitting chips under a bench. Classic stuff that can help you learn how to lead with your hands through impact. Sometimes, however, you can overdo it and you end up digging into the turf with the leading edge. This problem, and considering the modern grinds on today’s wedges, means you actually need less shaft lean on short-game shots so you can better activate the bounce of the club and avoid the digs. So, instead of chipping under a bench, practice chipping over your bag. And make it a challenge: Use your 9-iron and not one of your wedges. Play the ball a few feet behind the bag as shown above…