WORLD – Golfing Networks

Nelly Korda’s counterintuitive advice for World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 01:14:25 +0000

Let’s play a game: If you could steal the swing from any professional golfer, which golfer would you pick?

Rory McIlroy, whose combination of perfect technique and lethal speed creates a move that is half-art and half-violence, like a war painting? Scottie Scheffler, whose infinite well of athleticism and flexibility seem to find perfect positions no matter the rotation of his shoulders or the angle of his spine? How about Tommy Fleetwood, whose on-course aesthetic oozes comfortable polish? Or Adam Scott, who has been perfectly slotted for so long one wonders if he’s ever experienced a really bad slice?

Now ask yourself: How many of those players have a better swing than Nelly Korda? Is the number two? Is it one? None?

Korda’s swing is glorious. A breezy thwack that lifts the ball from the earth like James Taylor plucking a D-chord. Inspiring in its beauty, Korda’s swing is her quintessence — easy, simple, to the point, unbothered and unhurried. It exemplifies her game in part because it exemplifies her character. And it is Korda’s character that attracted the attention of another compelling figure at this week’s U.S. Women’s Open: Korda’s greatest threat.

If not for Korda, Jeeno Thitikul might be the best women’s golfer in 2026. We mean that literally — Thitikul sits second on the current Rolex Rankings, behind only Korda — but also ephemerally, because Thitikul is maybe the only player on the LPGA other than Korda whose success is measured in the absence of rounds in contention, not the existence of them.

Korda, who is 27, and Thitikul, 23, have developed a friendly rivalry atop the women’s game — trading the title of World No. 1 and no shortage of press attention over the last year. This week, at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, they’re chasing the top honor in women’s golf: a U.S. Women’s Open title.

Unlike Korda, Thitikul hasn’t yet broken through at the majors. But her journey toward improving has inspired Thitikul to keep a close eye on her rival, and on Monday afternoon at Riv, she revealed the lesson Korda has taught her: the Power of Easy.

“I think she’s always one of the players that — I don’t really [see] her practice that much during the tournament,” Thitikul said. “I just always see her on the driving range a little bit before her tee time. Then [after she was done playing], she maybe just putt a couple balls and then went home.”

To Thitikul, Korda’s approach first sounded a little backward: Try less hard. But then she realized Korda might be onto something. Some of the World No. 1’s success could be tied to her sense of balance during tournament weeks, and some of her balance came from her capacity to ease off the gas.

“I just feel like, especially this year she mentioned that she changed her mindset a little bit,” Thitikul said. “It just feels like she plays in Florida a lot, and then she [goes to events] just to play golf.”

In Thitikul’s eyes, there was something to Korda’s ability to compartmentalize, to spend tournament weeks focused on more than swing maintenance or on-course prep, that seemed to be fueling her success.

“If you put too much work and you not let your body like rest and relax, especially tournament week, I think it’s going to be a disadvantage more than an advantage,” Thitikul said. “It just really inspires me to see her doing what she’s doing right now.”

In the end, Thitikul said, there was something revealing about this approach from the World No. 1. Her success on the course was owed to her swing, but her mindset might be even more impressive.

“She’s a fast player, which is my favorite,” Thitikul said with a laugh. “It’s just great to see someone that’s good-good, and then we’re just hanging around and trying to do the same things to get better together.”

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Is London the greatest golf city in the world?

admin — Mon, 25 May 2026 21:48:05 +0000

Scotland and Ireland own the conversation, and for good reason. St. Andrews, Muirfield, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush and Ballybunion are as good as advertised — possibly better. The difficulty is that everyone knows it. Tee times open 18 months in advance, and the most coveted are gone within hours. A trip that once felt like a rite of passage now requires the planning of a military operation.

The answer is hiding in plain sight. England. Crazy? Stay with me.

London may be the greatest golf city in the world. Melbourne is in the conversation, but no other city comes close. Within 45 minutes of Heathrow are four courses on GOLF’s World Top 100 list, and unlike New York, Chicago or San Fran, where golf of this caliber sits behind private gates, every one is open to the visiting golfer.

On the outskirts of the capital, the Surrey Sandbelt takes five days to play. Settle in and the courses — Sunningdale Old and New, St. George’s Hill, Swinley Forest — are 30 minutes apart. The least celebrated of those is ranked No. 57 on our World list. Walton Heath (Old) sits within an hour, and its sibling New Course rewards those who squeeze it into their itinerary. Six world-class rounds, well within reach of the airport. For the golfer with time to spare, the three W’s —Worplesdon, Woking and West Hill — are must-plays too.

For those traveling as a couple, Central London has it all. The hotels are among the finest anywhere. The restaurant scene has long since earned its place among the world’s best. Globally renowned art galleries, shopping, theater and live sports abound. A non-golfing partner will not be kept wanting while you play England’s best.

Two hours from London, the Southeast coast will reset your preconceptions about English golf. Royal St. George’s, Royal Cinque Ports and Prince’s sit side by side on linksland that belongs in the same conversation as any in the British Isles. Add Rye and, for many, the Southeast becomes the whole reason for the trip.

The South may have the glamour, but it doesn’t have all the golf. Four hours north of London, Royal Liverpool, Royal Lytham and Royal Birkdale need no introduction. Hillside, Wallasey and Formby complete a stretch that would be celebrated the world over were it located almost anywhere else.

The tee sheets are open, the courses are in magnificent shape and the golfer who makes the trip to England leaves asking the same question: What took me so long?

Book your 2027 (and beyond) dream trip with 8AM Golf by contacting discovery@8amtravel.com.

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Ex-Ryder Cupper’s emotional DP World Tour farewell came with a message

admin — Sat, 23 May 2026 21:13:08 +0000

Nicolas Colsaerts officially announced his retirement last year, but the former European Ryder Cupper wanted to make one more walk on the DP World Tour before bidding farewell to professional golf.

There’s no better place to say goodbye than at the place that’s closest to your heart — home.

Colsaerts made his 505th and final career start on the DP World Tour this week at the Soudal Open in his home country of Belgium. The 2012 Ryder Cupper made his way around Rinkven International G.C. in Antwerp in 1-over 72 in the first round, meaning that he arrived on Friday, knowing that the next 18 holes were likely to be his final as a professional.

“The Belgian Bomber” bogeyed his third hole but then made an eagle at the par-5 fifth to send a roar through his home country one last time. He followed with birdies at 6, 7 and 8 but played his final 10 holes in 2 over to miss the cut by two.

“Listen, I really gave it a great run,” Colsaerts said after his round. “It was a little bit like Colsaerts of old on the front nine. I started to believe again. I forgot what it felt like. When that putt for eagle went in, it was probably the biggest roar that I’ve heard in a couple of years. It was absolutely amazing. It’s just a shame that I couldn’t really cap it off with playing the weekend. But I gave it a good run in Colsaerts style. I was up and down all day, which has been the story of my life.”

When he reached the 18th — the final hole of his tournament and pro career — Colsaerts made the emotional walk with his parents, his wife, Rachel, and his sons, Jackson and Oliver, alongside him. As Colsaerts reached the 18th green, his playing partners — good friends Marcel Siem and Alexander Levy — and family dropped back to let him soak in the moment and adoration from the crowd as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

“As you can tell, it means the world,” an emotional Colsaerts said. “When you walk a fairway like this with your whole family and your parents, look, there I go again. It’s only normal. I’ve learned the last couple of years that it’s OK to show emotions. I have no problem with it. I just hope that people will understand what it means to the majority of us to do this for a living — to have good times but to also navigate the bad times. This is why there’s tears. It’s a lot to take.”

Colsaerts tapped in for a closing par and then broke down while hugging Siem and Levy as the Belgian crown gave its hero a proper sendoff.

Colsaerts’ pro career, which started in 1998, included wins at the Volvo China Open, Volvo World Matchplay and the French Open. He finished T7 at the 2012 Open and T10 at the 2013 U.S. Open. But the biggest highlight of his career came as a member of the 2012 European Ryder Cup team, when he and Lee Westwood defeated Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker in Friday fourballs at Medinah. That was the only point Colsaerts recorded at the Ryder Cup, but it was vital in what wound up being a miraculous comeback for the Europeans.

Colsaerts’ pro sendoff has included goodbyes at the Alfred Dunhill Links at St. Andrews, the French Open, and in Australia. But Friday in Belgium was the final, and most meaningful goodbye, for the long-bombing Belgian. As he prepared to step both feet into retirement, the 2012 Ryder Cupper exited with a message to all those who love the game that has given him so much.

“Thank you to everyone who has followed, that has clicked on my name, that has clapped wherever that would’ve been around the world,” Colsaerts said. “We’ve been everywhere. I’ve had a lot of fun doing this. But all good things come to an end. I don’t have the gas anymore. But I’ve had an absolute blast, so don’t feel bad for me.

“Just keep going to the golf course. It’s a wonderful game. It drives you nuts at times, but that’s why we come back every weekend to play it.”

And with that message, Nicolas Colsaerts officially bowed out in Belgium.

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Aaron Rai shocked the world. Here’s what he revealed in the process

admin — Mon, 18 May 2026 08:12:40 +0000

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Aaron Rai had no idea what to do.

He’d just finished off a 1-foot putt to secure the biggest win of his professional life, emerging from a peloton of heavyweights and leaving them in the dust, building a back-nine highlight reel en route to a shocking first major championship title. But the moment the job was finished, Rai seemed suddenly lost. No fist pump. No wave. He sort of wobbled in one direction, then another. And then, as the Philadelphia faithful roared, Rai did what felt most natural.

He turned to his playing partner, took off his cap and offered his hand.

“He’s just so polite,” said Ludvig Aberg a few minutes later, chuckling at the moment. “He’s got a putt to win his first major and he still said ‘good putt’ to me? He’s taking time to look me in the eye and say well done? That stands out. That’s really impressive.

“If there’s one guy I’d love to lose to, it’s probably him.”

BY NOW, YOU’VE HEARD ABOUT RAI’S IRON COVERS. If you’re a golf fan, you likely know the story. He’s the only high-profile pro who uses them — and they’re broadly considered cringe in a sport where different ain’t good. But that’s also the point. That’s how they serve to explain Aaron. The iron covers tell his story. Here’s a concise version he offered to ESPN:

“My mom and dad worked extremely hard to support me, and my dad used to buy me the best equipment that he could, and he brought me a really nice set of irons, which he paid a lot of money for. And after every practice session he used to come home and he used to clean each groove with baby oil and a pin to get all the dirt and grime out, and then he started to put iron covers on those soon after to look after them and take care of them. So the reason I [use them] now is to remember what I came from — and also to respect the things that I have.”

It’s a remarkable telling. We could leave this piece here and you’d get the idea. Rai is different. He’s grateful. He’s humble. And he’s proud of where he came from. Also, Rai can spin a neat parable.

But plenty of sons learn habits from their fathers and then discard them once they realize they’re uncool. Not Rai. So how’d he dodge the pressures of conformity and sameness? Why isn’t he wearing a white golf glove, a brand-name hat logo, a too-cool-for-school attitude, as is status quo on Tour? He pondered the question in his post-round press conference, then returned to his father.

“I think my dad played a really big role in that,” he said. It was the two of them for most of his childhood, he said. They’d practice together, read about golf, watch Tiger Woods VHS tapes. Amrik implored Aaron to stay in his lane, to control the things he could control.

“And I didn’t really mix with a lot of other junior golfers, which didn’t give me a perspective of what was normal,” Rai added. “So I think he kind of sheltered me to be able to develop in a way that made sense for me, in a way that I guess was a little bit unique — with two gloves, with iron covers, et cetera.”

By the time Rai was a teenager, playing more serious competitive golf and ultimately at the pro level, he had enough self-belief to stay the course, to double down on himself.

“I felt like I was strong enough in why I did certain things,” he said. “I knew the reasons why I do them. I believe in the reasons why I do them. So I had no reason to really shift from that as I got older.”

AARON RAI WON THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP the same way every golfer eventually succeeds: By being himself.

No, he wasn’t the major champ we expected. We entered this week on a run of brand-name winners. Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler had won four of the last five, the last decade of PGA champs are all multiple major winners and there was every reason to believe that, like them, this week’s winner would come from the Tour’s tier of top-ranked, big-hitting alpha dogs.

Even with Sunday’s traffic-jam leaderboard — 30 players within five shots of the lead — there were enough big names in the mix that it seemed likely one would end up on top. When Rai bogeyed three of the first eight holes he seemed destined for the ranks of the also-rans.

But then Rai started building a highlight reel.

First with a bomb for eagle at No. 9 from the back of the green, where McIlroy had settled for par just minutes before.

Then with an incredible bunker shot at the short par-4 13th, landing his 40-yarder on top of a tiny shelf and yanking it to a stop, making birdie where Xander Schauffele had just made bogey.

Then with a glorious high-cut approach into the par-5 16th, the exact shot demanded by the hole and the moment, setting up an easy two-putt birdie that opened a gap on the rest of the field.

And then, impossibly, with a 68-foot birdie bomb at No. 17, the most crowded spectator area, sending the loudest roar of the week cascading across property. It was an exclamation point. Suddenly he was up by four. Suddenly the tournament was over. Suddenly everything had changed.

SO WHO IS AARON RAI? If the jury is his peers, he’ll come out okay.

Take Schauffele, the two-time major champ, who was thrilled to share his impressions of Rai.

“I’m super happy for him. He’s such a good dude,” he said. “Rarely do you feel like people work way harder than you … but Aaron is always there. He’s always in the gym. He’s always on the range. He’s always — you know, at the Scottish, I’m staying right on site there. I thought it would be fun for [his caddie] Austin and I to go putt. Aaron is finishing up his little putting session at 9 p.m. and going to the gym at 9:45.

“This was three years ago. I think that’s what it’s about. To be a major champion, you put the work in when nobody’s looking. Super pumped for him and his team.”

McIlroy, who won last month’s Masters, affirmed his approval rating.

“It looks like he’s going to win, which is great,” he said post-round. “You won’t find one person on property who’s not happy for him.”

“Aaron is a super hard-working guy,” added Matti Schmid, who finished T4. “Maybe the most hard-working guy on tour. He does everything so deliberate. Practices with so much intention. I think he does a lot of things the right way, and that’s why he’s the winner today.”

And although Jon Rahm hasn’t spent much time with Rai, he knows the iron-cover story and that tells him plenty.

“That he’s still doing it shows a lot about a person,” he said. “I have heard consistently there’s very few people that are nicer and kinder human beings than Aaron Rai.”

THERE’S A TEMPTATION TO SAY THAT RAI’S NOT COOL. That’s the subtext of the irons-cover story, of the two black golf gloves, of his insistence on politeness above all else.

But that misses the point entirely.

Rai does things his own way. Practices, plays, thinks, speaks, dresses. He won doing things his way. He’ll keep doing things his way. He’ll keep winning, too.

So he may not have had a big-time bottle-service post-round celebration lined up. But he did have something money can’t buy: His wife, Gaurika, sitting beside the stage, grinning as she lobbed a promise his way:

“I can take you to Chipotle!”

He grinned.

“We’ll probably go to Chipotle.”

With a trophy in tow.

What could be cooler than that?

Dylan Dethier welcomes your comments at dylan_dethier@golf.com.

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Shop the drivers used by the top-10 players in the world

admin — Wed, 13 May 2026 06:27:16 +0000

When it comes to buying new clubs, drivers always seem to elicit the most interest, and it’s easy to see why. The promise of gaining more yards and better accuracy from the latest technology remains an ultra-enticing prospect. And, as we’ve seen year after year, the addition of new materials and techniques in driver construction really does lead to some mega gains.

So if you’re in the market for a new off-the-tee weapon but aren’t sure where to start, take a cue from some of the world’s best players who are teeing it up this week at the year’s second major, the PGA Championship at Aronimink.

Shop Cobra’s limited-edition OPTM X Volition driver

By:

Jessica Marksbury

For some players, the drivers in their bags are relatively new. For others — like World No. 9 Russell Henley, who still plays a driver that was first released in 2020 — they’re comforting, longtime friends (relatively speaking). Scottie Scheffler also plays an “older” driver model (TaylorMade’s Qi10) that is no longer available to purchase new, but you might be lucky to find one second-hand.

Of course, as with any club, the right fit is everything, and when you buy from Fairway Jockey, you have the option of selecting a number of different customizations, including length, loft, lie, shaft flex, grip and more. Don’t know your ideal specs? Click here to find a True Spec Golf club-fitting location near you. And for more driver inspiration, check out the sticks played by the world’s top-10 ranked players below.

Scottie Scheffler: TaylorMade Qi10

Model shown below: TaylorMade Qi4D

TaylorMade Qi4D Custom Driver

SHAPED FOR SPEED

The re-engineered head profile increases ball speed thanks to improved aerodynamics developed through advanced simulations.

FACE FOR DISTANCE

60x Carbon Twist Face is a technological cornerstone that provides weight savings, incredible ball speed and more consistency vs. a titanium face.

ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE

4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight.

TOUR PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES

New and improved cut-through Speed Pocket protects ball speed and reduces spin on low-face strikes.
Advanced CAD modeling creates a design with a clean and powerful sound, a foundation of TaylorMade driver performance.
Multi-Material Construction allows engineers to strategically place mass in areas of the head where it maximizes performance, speed, and stability.

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Rory McIlroy: TaylorMade Qi4D

TaylorMade Qi4D Custom Driver

SHAPED FOR SPEED

The re-engineered head profile increases ball speed thanks to improved aerodynamics developed through advanced simulations.

FACE FOR DISTANCE

60x Carbon Twist Face is a technological cornerstone that provides weight savings, incredible ball speed and more consistency vs. a titanium face.

ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE

4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight.

TOUR PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES

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Cameron Young: Titleist GT3

Titleist GT3 Custom Driver

GT3 – Speed-Tuned Distance & Control
GT3 offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization. With a speed-tuned design that allows you to precisely match performance to your most frequent contact location, you can make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.
For players with a relatively consistent impact location, GT3 offers a precisely adjustable CG Track to max out distance and directional control.
Seamless Thermoform Crown
A reimagined ultra-lightweight design, born from a new Proprietary Matrix Polymer. The tunable acoustic properties of this unique composite allow Titleist engineers to realize new material gains while maintaining our signature sound and feel. All wrapped in a clean look that inspires total confidence.
Split Mass Construction
A breakthrough in internal weighting unlocks longer drives and enhanced directional control in GT3. The Adjustable CG Track now sits closer to the face for more dynamic CG control, while additional discretionary mass is pushed to the back of the club to maintain optimal stability through impact.
Advanced Aerodynamics
GT3 features a new raised tail contour that represents a dramatic shift in driver aerodynamics. Previously impossible to execute due to design constraints, this advanced shaping results in a driver that swings faster while still providing optimal CG control.

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Matt Fitzpatrick: Titleist GT3

Titleist GT3 Custom Driver

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Collin Morikawa: TaylorMade Qi4D LS

TaylorMade Qi4D LS Custom Driver

SHAPED FOR SPEED

Traditional address shape based on feedback from world-class players helps create confidence on every shot.
Qi4D LS is the lowest spinning option in the Qi4D lineup.

FACE FOR DISTANCE

Qi4D LS drivers feature a new and improved roll radius, yielding more consistent spin across vertical impact locations.

ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE

4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight.

TOUR PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES

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Tommy Fleetwood: TaylorMade Qi4D LS

TaylorMade Qi4D LS Custom Driver

SHAPED FOR SPEED

Traditional address shape based on feedback from world-class players helps create confidence on every shot.
Qi4D LS is the lowest spinning option in the Qi4D lineup.

FACE FOR DISTANCE

Qi4D LS drivers feature a new and improved roll radius, yielding more consistent spin across vertical impact locations.

ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE

4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight.

TOUR PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES

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Justin Rose: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max

Model shown below: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Max

Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Max Custom Driver

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J.J. Spaun: Titleist GT3

Titleist GT3 Custom Driver

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Russell Henley: Titleist TSi3

Titleist TSi3 Driver

For players who create more consistent contact and require more precise control over CG placement.

Chris Gotterup: Ping G440 LST

PING G440 LST Custom Driver

The G440 driver family (MAX, LST, SFT) is optimized to deliver more ball speed through multiple advancements, including PING’s deepest CG in a driver to date and a shallower, thinner face, while continuing to ensure the game-changing forgiveness expected from a PING driver. The G440 LST (Low Spin) design appeals to players with faster swing speeds, providing lower spin and more control in 9° and 10.5° lofts with the three-position back weight.
HIGHLY FORGIVING
Lighter head weight allows for heavier back weight.
FASTER FACE
Shallow, thinner, face increases ball speed for more distance, higher launch.
SOUND DESIGN
New shaping, carbon crown and internal ribs produce muted impact experience.
FREE-HOSEL DESIGN
Saves weight to lower CG, increase forgiveness. Allows for more heel-side face flexing for consistent ball speed across face.

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Golf.com Editor

As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Issue, which debuted in February 2018. Her original interview series, “A Round With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.

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Graphite Design Tour AD DI-6 X-Stiff Flex Wood Shaft Wins in DP World Tour Hainan Classic Presented by Maextro in Hainan, China

admin — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:49:18 +0000

Carlsbad, CA – Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc. announced today that the winner of the DP World Tour Hainan Classic presented by MAEXTRO held in Hainan, China was playing a Graphite Design Tour AD DI-6 X-Stiff flex wood shaft in his Titleist GT3 Driver, after shooting a 64, 66, 69, 70 for a 4-day total of 19 under par, claiming his second career DP World Tour win.

On the PGA TOUR Champions circuit, the winner of the Cologuard Classic, held in Tucson, Arizona was playing a Graphite Design Tour AD GC-6 X-Stiff flex wood shaft in his Callaway Elyte Driver to claim his eleventh career PGA TOUR Champions title after making a birdie on the first play-off hole.

“Congratulations to both champions this past weekend! It was an incredible showcase of golf at the highest level, and we’re thrilled to see both players trust Graphite Design premium shafts in their drivers.”, stated Bill McPherson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc.

The Tour AD DI “DEEP IMPACT” is designed to provide golfers with more power and stability in their golf shaft. Designed and manufactured exclusively at the Graphite Design factory headquarters in Japan, the Tour AD DI orange and black colored options are available in 50g R2 (Lite), R1 (Regular) S and X flex, 60g SR (Stiff Regular), S, X and TX (Tour X-Stiff) flex, 70g S, X and TX (Tour X-Stiff) flex and 80g S, X and TX (Tour X-Stiff) flex.

The Tour AD DI 5-R2, R1, S and X flex, 6-SR, S and X flex, 7-S and X flex, and 8-S and X are available in two color schemes: orange with white bands and green rings, and a 2nd color option of black with white bands and silver rings. The Tour AD DI 6-TX, 7-TX, 8-TX, and 9-X flex shafts are available only in the orange color scheme.

The Tour AD DI is our first shaft design integrated with Toray Company’s original NANOALLOY material technology in the tip section. This material technology has now come to be known as “DI Technology”. This unique material technology promotes additional shaft stability without loss of feel and allows the player to generate greater clubhead speed, resulting in higher ball speed while still providing exceptional feel and control.

The Tour AD DI also utilizes premium, aerospace-quality 50t carbon-fiber materials to provide the best-performing shaft available. The softer mid-section bend profile of the Tour AD DI allows the player to load the shaft properly, while maintaining a firm enough tip section through impact, promoting a high-launch, low-spin ball flight. The result, the Tour AD DI delivers players to the next level in shaft performance and will create a “DEEP IMPACT” on your game!

About Pro’s Choice:

Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts is the exclusive distributor of Graphite Design golf shafts in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, UAE, South Africa, South America, and Australia. Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts distributes all of the current Graphite Design shafts, including the new 2026 Graphite Design Tour AD FI wood shaft model, as well as the Anti-Gravity aG33-3, Tour AD GC, Tour AD VF, Tour AD CQ, Tour AD UB, Tour AD XC, Tour AD IZ, and Tour AD DI models of shafts. The company is located in Carlsbad, California, with a distribution warehouse located in Southern California.

About Graphite Design:

Located in Chichibu, Japan, Graphite Design has over 36 years of experience designing and manufacturing premium graphite-composite golf shafts. Numerous Graphite Design shafts can be seen in play by the best professional players on all tours worldwide. Validating the company’s “Tour AD” logo, all of Graphite Design’s Tour-proven shafts specifically promote “Accuracy and Distance”. On Tour, Graphite Design shafts recorded 44 Global tournament victories in 2025 and have helped numerous golf professionals earn well over 580 tour victories and multi-millions of dollars in prize money since inception.

Bill McPherson, Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, b.mcpherson@proschoicegolfshafts.com, 619-454-6283

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DUCA DEL COSMA APPOINTS PAN WORLD BRANDS AS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR IN THE UK & IRELAND

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:09:21 +0000

Luxury Italian golf fashion brand Duca del Cosma has appointed Pan World Brands as its new exclusive distributor in the UK & Ireland, effective immediately.

The partnership, which marks a significant step in the brand’s continued global expansion, will see Duca del Cosma golf footwear and accessories distributed across all regions in Europe’s largest market to enhance accessibility for golfers seeking the highest-quality products that offer a seamless combination of vibrant style and top performance.

The agreement covers the entire Duca del Cosma range for both men and women, including:

The stylish lightweight Spring/Summer golf shoe collection;
Premium golf gloves and shoe accessories.

“We’re confident that Pan World Brands will help grow our business and brand loyalty throughout the UK & Ireland,” said Duca del Cosma Owner & Chairman Frank van Wezel.

“The experienced team has a great reputation for excellence and customer service which makes Pan World Brands an ideal partner to grow our brand presence and enhance sales of our premium golf footwear and accessories in a key market,” he added.

Dean Stockwell, UK & European Sales Manager at Pan World Brands, added: “We’re thrilled to have reached an agreement to distribute the exclusive Duca del Cosma product range.

The premium brand’s unique blend of Italian design, innovation, and performance perfectly aligns with our commitment to providing retailers with high-quality, fashion-forward golf products with exceptional margins and we’re excited to begin showcasing the latest styles to our valued retail partners.”

Founded in 1989, Pan World Brands is a well-established and trusted importer, exporter and distributor of performance apparel, sports equipment, and footwear.

Based in Manchester, it represents a portfolio of leading golf brands, including Daily Sports and Island Green, as well as lifestyle and sports brands like Lee Cooper Workwear, Gold’s Gym and Goodyear.

Duca del Cosma has been crafting its luxurious golf footwear for more than 20 years using the most premium materials like Italian Nappa leather and sustainable OnSteam® recyclable microfibre to deliver unrivalled long-lasting quality.

The introduction of the highly breathable INSITE® ArchRelief support insole in the ultra-lightweight SS25 golf shoe range enhances comfort, rebound & cushioning to deliver an unmatched experience both on and off the course, while the waterproof bootie system in ensures feet remain dry all-day long.

Retailers are very much encouraged to contact Dean Stockwell on 07770674104 or at dstockwell@pwbuk.com for more information on Duca del Cosma.

To view the latest SS25 golf shoe collection, visit www.panworldbrands.com

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Sunday Golf Shocks the World With Cool Gray Golf Bag Launch

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:16:40 +0000

SAN DIEGO, CA– Sunday Golf, the third biggest golf brand that starts with the letters SUN, launched their Cool Gray lineup of golf bags, the latest in their recent flurry of new color additions. Available in four different bag options, the bags are made of the company’s classic nylon build and come with a lifetime warranty.

“The Cool Gray bags cap off our spring colorway launches with our most anticipated bags ever,” said Ronan Galvin, CEO and co-founder of Sunday Golf. “We’ve had customers asking about this bag for months since it debuted at the PGA Show and it’s a fresh take on a classic look. Your girlfriend’s boyfriend is going to think you are super cool with this bag.”

Sunday Golf first burst onto the scene in 2020 with the Par 3 Loma bag and have since made a name for themselves with a full lineup of lightweight golf bags. The company’s Ranger bag was recently recognized by MyGolfSpy as the 2026 Staff Pick for Stand Bag of the Year and the company has done previous bag collaborations with 7-Eleven, Whataburger and Sierra Madre.

The Cool Gray bags are available in the Loma, El Camino, Ryder and Big Rig bags – a variety of Par 3, mid-size, full-size and Cart Bag, respectively. Customers can order the bags exclusively at sundaygolf.com for the time being.

About Sunday Golf

Sunday Golf is on a mission to make golf more fun and accessible for everyone. Known for its lightweight golf bags at a quality price point, the brand has grown into a beloved name for golfers who value quality, style, and a laid-back approach to the game. From their signature lightweight bags to clever accessories, Sunday Golf is on a mission to make golf more approachable and enjoyable for everyone.

CONTACT

Camden Wicker

Sunday Golf

support@sundaygolf.com

(619) 631-5551

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‘Hardest golf course in the world’ battering scorecards again this week

admin — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:53:05 +0000

What’s your favorite horror movie? “Halloween”? “The Ring”? “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”?

Mine is a little-known arthouse classic called “The Hardest Golf Course in the World?” The 15-minute short never appeared in theaters nor has it received a Rotten Tomatoes rating; it went straight to the DP World Tour’s YouTube page where it has drawn a meager audience — about 15,000 viewers — likely because most golfers don’t have the stomach for it.

Among the terrors in this fright flick: England’s Matthew Jordan putting up a slope only for the ball to . . . take a 90-degree turn and roll back toward him (“Makes you look silly,” a commentator says); Andreas Halvorsen of Norway chunking a greenside bunker shot . . . into the rough. And Troy Merritt playing left-handed off a cart path from where he . . . chips his ball into a bush. Those are just the PG-13 scenes; the NC-17 clips aren’t suitable for this site.

This gruesome medley of shots, among many other lowlights, all occurred at the 2025 Hero Indian Open at Delhi Land & Finance Country Club, more commonly known as [cue dissonant violin chords] . . . DLF.

There’s a fairway out there somewhere.

getty images

DLF, which has played host to the Indian Open since 2017, is a sharp-fanged beast that feeds on uncommitted swings and uncertain reads. The original parkland design, by Arnold Palmer, debuted in 1999 complete with 15,000 newly planted trees and 195 floodlights, which allowed for golf under the stars on all 18 holes. By 2015, though, the course had a new look and more fearsome feel, thanks to a Gary Player redo that included nine new holes and a retooling of nine of Palmer’s holes. The Player course, which stretches north of 7,600 yards, has two lakes, craggy rock formations, fairways choked by trees and bushes and bunkers that resemble the Great Pit of Carkoon. And then you get to the greens, which are about as easy to handle as the banks on a Nascar track. As one course review site noted of DLF, “The average handicap golfer will need to bring a sense of humour and an arsenal of golf balls.”

The pros, too. The DP World Tour is back at DLF this week for the latest playing of the Indian Open, and, after a first round in which 14 players failed to break 80, familiar refrains (shrieks?) could be heard emanating from the press center.

“Might be the hardest course this year,” said German pro Freddy Schott, who had to take two drops Thursday, both of which led to bogeys. “Your game has to be so good overall, there’s not a thing which can leak.”

And that was your first-round leader talking! Schott erased his leaky swings with a stunning eight birdies to take the solo lead at six under.

“It’s a course that you need to be patient,” added Eugenio Chacarra after a nifty five-under 67. “I just think it’s a real golf course. You hit every club in the bag, you can’t really have a weakness — you need to hit it good from the tee, you need to have a good approach, the landing areas are small. You need to putt good, the greens are firm and fast and it’s hard to read them.”

A real golf course.

The pros on the other end of the ’board weren’t as chatty, but their cards spoke volumes. Shubhan Jaglan of India shot a back-nine 49 that included a double, two triples and a quad. Amardeep Malik, also of India, made four triples and signed for an 89.

Thursday was not Amardeep Malik’s day at DLF.

getty images

Akshay Bhatia, who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this month, hit his opening tee shot, on the par-4 10th, out of bounds and made a double. Five holes later, on the par-4 15th, Bhatia accidentally played the wrong ball with his second shot, leading to a two-shot penalty and a triple-bogey 8. Bhatia bounced back with a front-nine 33 but still finished with a welcome-to-DLF 77. “Glad I didn’t shoot 80,” he said with a nervous laugh.

In 2025, three of DLF’s holes ranked among the 10 toughest holes on the DP World Tour: the 414-yard par-4 14th, which had a scoring average of 4.54; the 535-yard par-4 (yes, par-4!) 17th (4.51); and the 446-yard par-4 6th (4.44). Of the 17th, the droll English pro, Eddie Pepperel, tweeted in 2018, “The great thing about the 17th hole in India is that it has 15,000 rocks and 15 fans. Most great 17th holes have 15 rocks, and 15,000 fans.”

In the first round Thursday, 14 was playing harder still, to a stroke average of 4.93. Twenty-five players made double or worse.

You might be asking yourself, What was Gary Player’s end game here? In an era when playability and user-friendliness have become fashionable, what was the motivation for building such a shin-kicking test? On Thursday afternoon, I dropped Player’s office a line to see if he might talk me through his design strategy. Player was traveling, but one of his representatives did send me a written response from the Black Knight on his “key design philosophies” at DLF.

“Our design intent was to create a captivating and memorable golf course that would achieve world-class standards,” Player wrote. “While the course presents a meaningful challenge, it has been exceptionally well-received by the golfing community.”

He went on: “The course features an immense amount of variety and strategic interest, highlighted by iconic revetted bunkers, a dramatic rock quarry, a large lake, compelling contouring, and breathtaking vistas. What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that the entire landscape began as flat ground. To transform that blank canvas into 18 holes of championship golf is truly extraordinary. The experience is intentionally thought-provoking, offering a wide range of shot values that challenge players to think strategically throughout the round. Every hole offers something unique, continually engaging the player’s attention from the first tee to the final green.”

Oh, they’ll get your attention alright. They might keep you up at night, too.

Two years ago, the DP World Tour social team asked a handful of pros what an 18-handicapper might shoot at DLF. The question drew wry smiles, if not outright laughter, from most of the players — and chilling answers.

“I think I can easily see 80 for myself,” said Niklas Norgaard Moller of Denmark. “I think we’re close to 150, maybe 160. Such a difficult course.”

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The 9 most expensive golf clubs in the world

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:40:30 +0000

While golf is a sport accessible to all, there are numerous ways for players with deep pockets to indulge in luxury and high-end products. And one way of doing this is by purchasing one of the most expensive golf clubs around.

If you’re just starting out, a set of beginner golf clubs might cost around £200-£300, however you can easily break £1,000 for a more advanced set.

As expensive as that is, it’s nothing compared to the most expensive club sold in the UK – the Andrew Dickinson Square Toe Light Iron, which is around 400 years old, was sold at auction for a remarkable £122,000 in 2007.

Here, we’ll look at nine more examples of the most expensive clubs around and ever sold, along with others available at the higher end of the pricing spectrum. We’ll also answer the big question: are they worth it?

9 of the most expensive golf clubs

Let’s take a look at some of the most expensive golf clubs the world has ever seen.

1. Maruman Majesty Sublime Irons 6-SW: $12,369 (~£9,212)

When it comes to golf clubs, you’ll find that anything gold is worth a decent amount. With a striking gold, black and red design (with some stunning laser-etched designs on the rear), everything about these irons screams luxury.

Maruman is a Japanese brand that has been making golf clubs for over a century, and prides itself on authentic craftsmanship. Their clubs are made in Japan, and they import materials from across Europe and the world to ensure their products remain of an incredibly high standard.

With both high performance and exclusivity at the forefront of this particular club, it would set you back an awful lot – but not as much as some other irons.

2. BERES Five-Star Irons: $27,000 (~£20,109)

At over double the price, BERES Five-Star Irons also hail from Japan and feature a similarly striking design, though with more silver than black.

No performance was sacrificed for the exquisite look, though. Quite the opposite, in fact. These are essentially the dream irons, featuring a noticeably large face opening and face volume that allow for maximum distance.

For the price, you’d expect tremendously high-quality irons, and you’d certainly look the part with them too.

3. Palmer Patent Fork Shaft Wood: $49,000 (~£36,490)

Not all expensive clubs sell for their high-end properties, though. For many, spending huge fees on golfing equipment is about owning a slice of history. And that’s precisely the case when it comes to the Palmer Patent Fork Shaft Wood.

Made by A.G. Spalding and Brothers, this club dates back to 1907, and you’ll struggle to find another that looks like it. With its forked wooden shaft, it has an incredibly unique appearance, featuring a stamp of the word “Spalding”.

It’s this uniqueness and its age that made it an incredibly valuable historic item.

4. Long-Nosed Scraper: $91,000 (~£67,767)

Another historic artefact, the Long-Nosed Scraper, sold for $91,000 back in 2007, and its interesting features are largely in the lead weight at the back.

Back in the 18th century, when this club was in use, golf courses were seldom the pristine sights we enjoy now. With high grass a regular issue, part of this design was that it could cut through on its way to making contact with the ball.

Of course, any club this old and this unique was always going to fetch a high price.

5. Louis Vuitton Golf Bag & Clubs: ~$100,711 (£75,000)

You might not immediately associate Louis Vuitton with golf, but when it comes to the most expensive clubs, they’ve also made their mark.

It would cost over $100,00 for their bag and set of clubs, combining sport and high fashion together.

6. Simon Cossar Fruitwood Metal-Headed Putter – ~$123,539 (£92,000)

Another older club that fetched a wild sum was the Simon Cossar Fruitwood Metal-Headed Putter, which sold at auction for over £92,000. That’s over US$120,000.

This is a particularly fascinating piece of history, as it is one of the first clubs to combine a wooden head with a metal shaft. This ensures it’s a landmark of one of the most significant crossroads in the development of the sport.

No wonder it’s one of the most expensive golf clubs ever.

7. Barth & Sons Golden Putter First Lady Special Edition: $150,000 (~£111,705)

It’s only going to get more expensive from here.

The Barth & Sons Golden Putter First Lady Special Edition follows a familiar formula in that it’s a gold-plated high performer.

What really makes this club expensive is the inclusion of diamonds. A 24-carat gold shaft is cool and all, but the version without the diamonds costs roughly $3,000.

If you really want to finish your hole in style, this is the club for you.

8. Andrew Dickinson Long-Nosed Putter: $181,000 (~£134,790)

Authentic wooden clubs are simply not easy to come by, so when a putter over three centuries old can be officially verified, you better believe it costs a pretty penny.

This one, stamped A.D., was sold in 2007 for $181,000 and is as much of a status symbol as anything else. Using this to actually play golf wouldn’t be advised.

9. Tiger Woods’ “Tiger Slam” Irons & Wedges: $5,156,162 (~£3,839,793)

And then there’s the crazy money.

Anything Tiger Woods sells goes for remarkable amounts of money. One putter sold for over $3,000,000 and even a back-up putter went for nearly $400,000.

In 2022, the irons and wedges used by the golfing great in his 2000/01 “Tiger Slam” were sold for over £5,000,000, making them perhaps the ultimate collector’s item in all of golf.

FAQs

Are expensive golf clubs worth it?

There’s no easy answer to this, the big question.

Really, value is in the eye of the beholder, and it’s all about why you want an expensive club. If you want to become a better golfer without having to put the work in, then perhaps not. High-end clubs do offer performance benefits, but they’re not going to reduce your handicap.

However, if you want to own part of golfing history or own the absolute best of the best, then it’s easy to see why you might consider spending an enormous fee worthwhile. Ultimately, it’s up to you.

Are left-handed golf clubs more expensive?

Sadly, if you’re left-handed, you may find that the clubs that best suit you cost more than their right-handed counterparts.

It’s a simple case of supply and demand. Fewer people are left-handed, so fewer left-handed clubs are made, making them harder to get hold of.

The gap is starting to decrease, but for now, you may pay slightly more for the perfect club for you.

What are the big-four golf brands?

Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade and PING are generally considered the big four golf brands.

Each is famous for various different things and specialises in slightly different areas. Titleist manufactures great wedges and pioneered the Vokey design. Callaway developed the Big Bertha driver. TaylorMade offers products designed for players at all levels. And PING are putter specialists.

What are high-end golf clubs?

Many factors can make a club high-end. Premium materials and performance benefits are the two main aspects that set high-end clubs apart from their standard counterparts.

Specialist golf insurance with Golf Care

You may not own one of the most expensive golf clubs in the world, but owning a good set of clubs can still be a significant investment. That’s why you may want to consider protecting yourself and your equipment with specialist golf insurance.

With Golf Care, policies include Equipment Cover up to £7,500, Public Liability of up to £10m, and Personal Accident Cover up to £50,000. Get a quote online today.

Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.

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