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McIlroy grouped with Scheffler & Schauffele at US Open

by with No Comment uncategorized

Rory McIlroy will play alongside Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele in an eye-catching group during the first two rounds of the US Open at Pinehurst.

The world’s top three players will tee off at 18:14 BST on Thursday.

World number three McIlroy, the 2011 US Open champion, top-ranked Scheffler and Schauffele, who replaced McIlroy in second spot after winning last month’s US PGA Championship, also played alongside each other at the Masters – won by Scheffler – in April.

Three-time winner Tiger Woods tees off alongside Will Zalatoris and England’s 2022 champion Matt Fitzpatrick at 12:29 on Thursday.

Wyndham Clark, who edged out McIlroy last year, begins his title defence alongside Open champion Brian Harman and 2023 US Amateur winner Nick Dunlap at 18:25.

World number eight Jon Rahm, who won this title in 2021, is due out at 18:36 on Thursday with Japan’s 2021 Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama and 2015 US Open champion Jordan Spieth.

On Tuesday, Spain’s Rahm cast doubt over his participation because of a foot injury.

US Open tee times (times BST)

Round one: Thursday, 13 June

Starting at hole one (a denotes amateur)

11:45: Carter Jenkins (US), Logan McAllister (US), Michael McGowan (US)

11:56: (a) Parker Bell (US), Frederik Kjettrup (Den), Christopher Petefish (US)

12:07: Max Greyserman (US), Casey Jarvis (SA), (a) Omar Morales (Mex)

12:18: Corey Conners (Can), Emiliano Grillo (Arg), Stephan Jaeger (Ger)

12:29: Sergio Garcia (Spa), Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn), Francesco Molinari (Ita)

12:40: Brooks Koepka (US), Collin Morikawa (US), Justin Thomas (US)

12:51: Rickie Fowler (US), Adam Hadwin (Can), Phil Mickelson (US)

13:02: Nicolai Hojgaard (Den), Min-Woo Lee (Aus), Sahith Theegala (US)

13:13: Sung-Jae Im (Kor), Si-Woo Kim (Kor), Matthieu Pavon (Fra)

13:24: Nicolas Echavarria (Col), Robert Rock (Eng), (a) Neal Shipley (US)

13:35: (a) Stewart Hagestad (US), Takumi Kanaya (Jpn), Mac Meissner (US)

13:46: Jim Herman, (a) Bryan Kim US), Isaiah Salinda (US)

13:57: (a) Colin Prater (US), Charles Reiter (US), Carson Schaake (US)

17:30: Brandon Thompson (Eng), Jason Scrivener (Aus), (a) Brendan Valdes (US)

17:41: Sam Bairstow (Eng), (a) Santiago De la Fuente (Mex), Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra (Spa)

17:52: Christiaan Bezuidenhout (SA), Kurt Kitayama (US), Taylor Moore (US)

18:03: Jason Day (Aus), Harris English (US), Joo-Hyung Kim (Kor)

18:14: Rory McIlroy (NI), Xander Schauffele (US), Scottie Scheffler (US)

18:25: Wyndham Clark (US), Nick Dunlap (US), Brian Harman (US)

18:36: Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn), Jon Rahm (Spa), Jordan Spieth (US)

18:47: Keegan Bradley (US), Martin Kaymer (Ger), Shane Lowry (Ire)

18:58: Akshay Bhatia (US), Eric Cole (US), Erik van Rooyen (SA)

19:09: Alexander Noren (Swe), Taylor Pendrith (Can), Brendon Todd (US)

19:20: (a) Jackson Buchanan (US), Brian Campbell (US), Thomas Detry (Bel)

19:31: (a) Gunnar Broin (US), Maxwell Moldovan (US), Taisei Shimuzu (Jpn)

19:42: John Chin (US), Sung-Hoon Kang (Kor), Riki Kawamoto (Jpn)

Starting at hole 10

11:45: Rico Hoey (Phi), Matteo Manassero (Ita), Tom McKibbin (NI)

11:56: Dean Burmester (SA), Rikuya Hoshino (Jpn), Seamus Power (Ire)

12:07: Seong-Hyeon Kim (Kor), Justin Lower (US), Tim Widing (Swe)

12:18: Sam Burns (US), Lucas Glover (US), Cameron Smith (Aus)

12:29: Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng), Tiger Woods (US), Will Zalatoris (US)

12:40: Patrick Cantlay (US), Russell Henley (US), Matt Kuchar (US)

12:51: Ludvig Aberg (Swe), Tony Finau (US), Dustin Johnson (US)

13:02: Justin Rose (Eng), Webb Simpson (US), Gary Woodland (US)

13:13: Daniel Berger (US), Ryan Fox (NZ), David Puig (Spa)

13:24: Byeong-Hun An (Kor), Sam Bennett (US), Edoardo Molinari (Ita)

13:35: Cameron Davis (Aus), Austin Eckroat (US), Adrian Meronk (Pol)

13:46: Zachary Blair (US), Aaron Rai (Eng), Davis Thompson (US)

13:57: Willie Mack III (US), Richard Mansell (Eng), (a) Ashton McCulloch (Can)

17:30: Grant Forrest (Sco), Greyson Sigg, (a) Wells Williams (US)

17:41: Chesson Hadley (US), Mark Hubbard (US), Adam Svensson (Can)

17:52: Beau Hossler (US), Victor Perez (Fra), Adam Schenk (US)

18:03: Mackenzie Hughes (Can), Robert MacIntyre (Sco), Nick Taylor (Can)

18:14: Tommy Fleetwood (Eng), Tyrrell Hatton (Eng), Tom Hoge (US)

18:25: Bryson DeChambeau (US), Max Homa (US), Viktor Hovland (Nor)

18:36: Peter Malnati (US), J. T. Poston (US), Sepp Straka (Aut)

18:47: Jake Knapp (US), (a) Gordon Sargent (US), Cameron Young (US)

18:58: Billy Horschel (US), Chris Kirk (US), Adam Scott (Aus)

19:09: (a) Benjamin James (US), Ben Kohles (US), Denny McCarthy (US)

19:20: Frankie Capan (US), (a) Luke Clanton (US), Andrew Svoboda (US)

19:31: Harry Higgs (US), (a) Hiroshi Tai (Sin), Brandon Wu (US)

19:42: Otto Black (US), Chris Naegel (US), Joey Vrzich (US)

Round two: Friday, 14 June

Starting at hole one

11:45: Grant Forrest (Sco), Greyson Sigg (US), (a) Wells Williams (US)

11:56: Chesson Hadley (US), Mark Hubbard (US), Adam Svensson (Can)

12:07: Beau Hossler (US), Victor Perez (Fra), Adam Schenk (US)

12:18: Mackenzie Hughes (Can), Robert MacIntyre (Sco), Nick Taylor (Can)

12:29: Tommy Fleetwood (Eng), Tyrrell Hatton (Eng), Tom Hoge (US)

12:40: Bryson DeChambeau (US), Max Homa (US), Viktor Hovland (Nor)

12:51: Peter Malnati (US), J. T. Poston (US), Sepp Straka (Aut)

13:02: Jake Knapp (US), (a) Gordon Sargent (US), Cameron Young (US)

13:13: Billy Horschel (US), Chris Kirk (US), Adam Scott (Aus)

13:24: (a) Benjamin James (US), Ben Kohles (US), Denny McCarthy (US)

13:35: Frankie Capan (US), (a) Luke Clanton (US), Andrew Svoboda (US)

13:46: Harry Higgs (US), (a) Hiroshi Tai (Sin), Brandon Wu (US)

13:57: Otto Black (US), Chris Naegel (US), Joey Vrzich (US)

17:30: Rico Hoey (Phi), Matteo Manassero (Ita), Tom McKibbin (NI)

17:41: Dean Burmester (SA), Rikuya Hoshino (Jpn), Seamus Power (Ire)

17:52: Seong-Hyeon Kim (Kor), Justin Lower (US), Tim Widing (Swe)

18:03: Sam Burns (US), Lucas Glover (US), Cameron Smith (Aus)

18:14: Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng), Tiger Woods (US), Will Zalatoris (US)

18:25: Patrick Cantlay (US), Russell Henley (US), Matt Kuchar (US)

18:36: Ludvig Aberg (Swe), Tony Finau (US), Dustin Johnson (US)

18:47: Justin Rose (Eng), Webb Simpson (US), Gary Woodland (US)

18:58: Daniel Berger (US), Ryan Fox (NZ), David Puig (Spa)

19:09: Byeong-Hun An (Kor), Sam Bennett (US), Edoardo Molinari (Ita)

19:20: Cameron Davis (Aus), Austin Eckroat (US), Adrian Meronk (Pol)

19:31: Zachary Blair (US), Aaron Rai (Eng), Davis Thompson (US)

19:42: Willie Mack III (US), Richard Mansell (Eng), Ashton McCulloch (Can),

Starting at hole 10

11:45: Brandon Thompson (Eng), Jason Scrivener (Aus), (a) Brendan Valdes (US)

11:56: Sam Bairstow (Eng), (a) Santiago De la Fuente (Mex), Eugenio

Lopez-Chacarra (Spa)

12:07: Christiaan Bezuidenhout (SA), Kurt Kitayama (US), Taylor Moore (US)

12:18: Jason Day (Aus), Harris English (US), Joo-Hyung Kim (Kor)

12:29: Rory McIlroy (NI), Xander Schauffele (US), Scottie Scheffler (US)

12:40: Wyndham Clark (US), Nick Dunlap (US), Brian Harman (US)

12:51: Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn), Jon Rahm (Spa), Jordan Spieth (US)

13:02: Keegan Bradley (US), Martin Kaymer (Ger), Shane Lowry (Ire)

13:13: Akshay Bhatia (US), Eric Cole (US), Erik van Rooyen (SA)

13:24: Alexander Noren (Swe), Taylor Pendrith (Can), Brendon Todd (US)

13:35: (a) Jackson Buchanan (US), Brian Campbell (US), Thomas Detry (Bel)

13:46: (a) Gunnar Broin (US), Maxwell Moldovan (US), Taisei Shimuzu (Jpn)

13:57: John Chin (US), Sung-Hoon Kang (Kor), Riki Kawamoto (Jpn)

17:30: Carter Jenkins (US), Logan McAllister (US), Michael McGowan (US)

17:41: (a) Parker Bell (US), Frederik Kjettrup (Den), Christopher Petefish (US)

17:52: Max Greyserman (US), Casey Jarvis (SA), (a) Omar Morales (Mex)

18:03: Corey Conners (Can), Emiliano Grillo (Arg), Stephan Jaeger (Ger)

18:14: Sergio Garcia (Spa), Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn), Francesco Molinari (Ita)

18:25: Brooks Koepka (US), Collin Morikawa (US), Justin Thomas (US)

18:36: Rickie Fowler (US), Adam Hadwin (Can), Phil Mickelson (US)

18:47: Nicolai Hojgaard (Den), Min-Woo Lee (Aus), Sahith Theegala (US)

18:58: Sung-Jae Im (Kor), Si-Woo Kim (Kor), Matthieu Pavon (Fra)

19:09: Nicolas Echavarria (Col), Robert Rock (Eng), (a) Neal Shipley (US)

19:20: (a) Stewart Hagestad (US), Takumi Kanaya (Jpn), Mac Meissner (US)

19:31: Jim Herman (US), Bryan Kim (US), Isaiah Salinda (US)

19:42: (a) Colin Prater (US), Charles Reiter (US), Carson Schaake (US)

Credits: USA TODAY Sports

2024 Memorial Tournament predictions, expert picks, odds, field rankings, golf best bets at Muirfield Village

by with No Comment Golf News

A busy, three-week stretch on the PGA Tour begins this week at Jack’s place

Just one tournament separates players from the third major championship of the season, but it’s one they won’t want to take lightly. The 2024 Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village will once again welcome the best and brightest from the PGA Tour to Dublin, Ohio, to take part in a competition hosted by the legendary Jack Nicklaus.

While the tournament dons signature status, the Memorial will feature a cut at the 36-hole mark similar to those at the Genesis Invitational and Arnold Palmer Invitational. A player who is not likely to need to worry about such a thing is world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler as he eyes his fifth title of the season.

A season ago, Scheffler put up jaw-dropping numbers at Muirfield Village from tee to green only to be let down by his putter. The Masters champion gained more than 20 strokes from tee to green leading in terms of off the tee play, on approach and around the green only to fall one stroke shy of a playoff between eventual champion Viktor Hovland and Denny McCarthy.

Hovland arrives at his title defense riding a wave of form. Reuniting with his old swing coach, the reigning FedEx Cup champion was a major factor at the PGA Championship and settled for a podium finish. He looks to keep a good thing going and experience another summer to remember beginning this week.

Speaking of the PGA Championship, Xander Schauffele makes his first start since raising the Wanamaker Trophy at Valhalla. Now that he has the hardware to match the statistical output, the Olympic gold medalist could only be getting started.

Schauffele’s peers hope to just be getting started as well, as a number of big-time players are still without victories with the FedEx Cup Playoffs quickly approaching. Hovland, Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Justin Thomas, Tom Kim, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Tommy Fleetwood and a slew of others hope this is the week they can finally break through and enter the winner’s circle.

2024 Memorial schedule
Dates: June 6-9
Location: Muirfield Village Golf Club — Dublin, Ohio
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,571
Purse: $20,000,000

2024 Memorial field, odds
Scottie Scheffler (7/2)
Xander Schauffele (9-1): Scheffler may be the best player in the world, but the case could be made that Schauffele is the most well-rounded. He ranks just behind the world No. 1 in terms of total strokes gained and strokes gained tee to green since the start of 2024 but checks in 12th in strokes gained putting. He arrives at Muirfield Village with added length at his disposal, which could be exactly what he needs to shoot into contention as he has notched five straight top 25s here but none of which doubled as top 10s.
Rory McIlroy (9-1): Post-Masters McIlroy is continuing to surge, and he will aim to accomplish a rare first this week: winning the Memorial. He possesses a mixed bag of sorts at Jack’s place but has found a string of consistency in recent years with three straight top 20s including a T7 a season ago. He’s got the entirety of his game cooperating at the moment but will need to avoid the occasional lull like last week’s 72 in Round 2 if he is to break through.

Collin Morikawa (14-1)
Viktor Hovland (18-1): The Memorial sparked Hovland’s memorable summer a year ago as he raced through the FedEx Cup Playoffs, won the season-long crown and starred on the European Ryder Cup team. It could serve the same purpose again as his play at the PGA Championship reinvigorated his confidence with his ball-striking and short game returning to Hovland-like levels. Was this just a one-off or will this version of Hovland continue into the latter stages of the season? We’ll find out this week.

Ludvig Åberg (25-1)
Patrick Cantlay (25-1): There may be no player more affected by the extracurriculars outside the golf course than Cantlay. Well in the thick of board room discussions and powerpoint presentations, the former FedEx Cup champion’s game has taken a hit. He ranks outside the top 40 of this limited field in strokes gained approach and strokes gained putting this season, but if there was ever time for him to turn it around, it is this week. Twice a winner at Muirfield Village, Cantlay should take solace in knowing he can get it done here.
Justin Thomas (30-1): Don’t look now, but Thomas is finding his form yet again. A strong start to 2024 gave way to a disappointing spring, but the two-time PGA Championship winner looks to be back on the up and up. Three straight quality outings highlighted by a top 10 at the PGA Championship came courtesy of a nice uptick with the big stick. If he can continue to drive the ball well, Thomas will set his iron play up for success and the rest should follow suit. While he hasn’t done much at the Memorial in recent years, he did lose in a playoff to Morikawa at the Workday Championship during the COVID-19 year.
Tommy Fleetwood (45-1)
Hideki Matsuyama (45-1)

2024 Memorial expert picks
Scottie Scheffler
Winner (7/2): Believe it or not, the strokes-gained numbers posted above are in fact real as Scheffler probably should have won this tournament by five a year ago. He comes in this season as an even better player in large part because of the strides he has made with the putter in hand. The world No. 1 ranks first in just about every statistical category imaginable, hasn’t finished outside the top 10 on a leaderboard since January and has back-to-back podium finishes here. Don’t overthink it.

Collin Morikawa
Contender (14-1): A winner at this golf course but not at this golf tournament, Morikawa has the make up to not only upend Scheffler but make Muirfield Village fall to its knees. The two-time major champion is riding a wave of form ever since the Masters and the best part is the iron play has yet to peak. Significant improvements on and around the green have led to Morikawa rattling off three top-five finishes in his last six starts, including his last two, but his iron play should lead him to a win at the Memorial where he lost in a playoff in 2021.

Tony Finau
Sleeper (65-1): Finau looks close to playing himself into contention, and this may be the best spot for him to do so. The American has four top-20 finishes in his last six starts including his last time out at the Charles Schwab Challenge where he was a factor before falling off the pace over the weekend. His iron play has been exquisite, his short game is beginning to turn a corner and his putter hasn’t been as bad. If that club is good this week then Finau will have a very good result.

Credits: Fantasylife

2024 RBC Canadian Open odds, field: Surprising PGA picks

by with No Comment Golf News

SportsLine’s proven model simulated the RBC Canadian Open 2024 10,000 times and revealed its surprising golf picks

The PGA plays its first tournament of the year north of the United States border as the 2024 RBC Canadian Open tees off from Hamilton Golf Club in Ontario, Canada on Thursday at 6:45 a.m. ET. Rory McIlroy is the +330 favorite and the only golfer ranked in the top 10 in the world competing at the RBC Canadian Open 2024. This leaves a rather wide-open 2024 RBC Canadian Open field with the chance to see new winners and golfers earn valuable points toward the FedEx Cup standings. Sahith Theegala, ranked No. 12 in the world, is listed at +2000 and Tommy Fleetwood, ranked No. 13, is listed at +1800 in the latest 2024 RBC Canadian Open odds.

Canadian Nick Taylor won last year’s RBC Canadian Open as a significant longshot with odds longer than 50-1. Could there be a similar longshot with value this year? Taylor is +7000 to repeat as champion, so should you include him to win again in his native country in 2024 RBC Canadian Open bets? Before making any 2024 RBC Canadian Open picks, be sure to see the golf predictions and projected leaderboard from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

SportsLine’s proprietary model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, has been red-hot since the PGA Tour resumed in June of 2020. In fact, the model is up almost $9,000 on its best bets since the restart, nailing tournament after tournament.

McClure’s model correctly predicted Scheffler would finish on top of the leaderboard at the 2024 Masters, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and The Players Championship this season. McClure also included Hideki Matsuyama in his best bets to win the 2024 Genesis Invitational. That bet hit at +9000, and for the entire tournament, McClure’s best bets returned nearly $1,000. And at the 2024 PGA Championship, the model correctly called Xander Schauffele’s first major victory heading into the weekend.

The model also predicted Rahm would be victorious at the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions and The American Express. At the 2023 Masters, the model was all over Rahm’s second career major victory heading into the weekend. Rahm was two strokes off the lead heading into the third round, but the model still projected him as the winner. It was the second straight Masters win for the model, which also nailed Scheffler winning in 2022.

In addition, McClure’s best bets included Nick Taylor (70-1) winning the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, Jason Day (17-1) winning outright at the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson, and Rickie Fowler (14-1) finishing on top of the leaderboard at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic.

This same model has also nailed a whopping 12 majors entering the weekend, including the last three Masters and the 2024 PGA Championship. Anyone who has followed it has seen massive returns.

Now that the RBC Canadian Open 2024 field is finalized, SportsLine simulated the tournament 10,000 times, and the results were surprising. Head to SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard.

Top 2024 RBC Canadian Open predictions

One major surprise the model is calling for at the RBC Canadian Open 2024: Fleetwood, who finished as the runner-up last year and has the second-shortest odds this year, stumbles and barely cracks the top five. Fleetwood has made the cut in 114 of 136 PGA Tour events that he has played in, but he is still seeking his first victory. He has been outside the top 10 in his last three tournaments this season, including a T49 finish at the RBC Heritage.

Fleetwood ranks outside the top 100 on the PGA Tour in driving distance, GIR percentage and shots gained: approach to green. He did not play in this event when it was hosted by Hamilton Golf Club in 2019, which puts him at a disadvantage against some of the other golfers in the field. SportsLine’s model does not like Fleetwood’s chances of finally breaking through with a PGA Tour victory this week. See who else to fade here.

Another surprise: Taylor Pendrith, a 65-1 longshot, makes a strong run at the title. He has a much better chance to win it all than his odds imply, so he’s a target for anyone looking for a huge payday. The 32-year-old recently won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on May 5 and finished 11th or better in four straight tournaments entering the PGA Championship. Pendrith missed the cut at the PGA Championship but he only shot a 1-over par over his two days, keeping him close to the cut line.

Pendrith, a native of Ontario, played in the RBC Canadian Open twice as an amateur at Kent State University and once as a professional, making the cut twice. Pendrith played on various international tours before working his way up to the PGA Tour full-time in the 2021-22 PGA Tour season. Pendrith looks to become the second straight Canadian golfer to win the RBC Canadian Open and Taylor won with similar odds to him last year. Given his stronger play as of late and the chance to compete in his native Ontario, the model projects value in Pendrith to shock the PGA world at 65-1 odds. See who else to back here.

How to make 2024 RBC Canadian Open picks

The model is also targeting four other golfers with odds of 25-1 or longer to make a strong run at the title. Anyone who backs these longshots could hit it big. You can only see the model’s picks here.

Rory McIlroy +330
Tommy Fleetwood +1800
Sahith Theegala +2000
Shane Lowry +2200
Cameron Young +2200
Sam Burns +2500
Alex Noren +2500
Corey Conners +2500
Adam Scott +3000
Keith Mitchell +3500
Maverick McNealy +4000
Aaron Rai +4500
Mackenzie Hughes +4500
Akshay Bhatia +5000
Tom Kim +5000
Davis Thompson +5000
Erik van Rooyen +5500
Adam Hadwin +5500
Taylor Pendrith +6000
Kevin Yu +7000
Nick Taylor +7000
Matt Wallace +7500
Daniel Berger +7500
Doug Ghim +8000
Ryan Fox +8000
Mark Hubbard +8000
Ben Griffin +8000
Nicolai Hojgaard +8000
Robert MacIntyre +8000
Beau Hossler +8000
Ryo Hisatsune +9000
Davis Riley +9000
Thorbjorn Olesen +9000
Seamus Power +10000
Eric Cole +10000
Adam Svensson +10000
Sam Stevens +11000
Greyson Sigg +11000
K.H. Lee +11000
S.H. Kim +11000
Luke List +11000
Matt Kuchar +12000
Andrew Novak +12000
Chan Kim +12000
Jhonattan Vegas +12000
Joseph Bramlett +12000
Nate Lashley +12000
Justin Lower +12000
Victor Perez +12000
Michael Kim +12000
Bud Cauley +12000
Sam Ryder +15000
Mac Meissner +15000
Chesson Hadley +15000
Kevin Tway +15000
Matti Schmid +15000
Ben Silverman +15000
C.T. Pan +15000
J.J. Spaun +15000
Gary Woodland +15000

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Swinging Off Course: Golf’s 7 Deadly Sins to Avoid

by with No Comment Training

Just as important as the rules of golf is the etiquette around the game.

Golf is, after all, a gentleman’s game. You could argue that golfers are supposed to respect the course, their fellow players and the game above all else. Unfortunately, not every golfer follows this ethos.

Too often, social media videos glorify what goes wrong on a golf course. Bad shots. Club throwing. Harassing wildlife. Hitting golf balls into nature on purpose. Golf course fights go viral and everybody watching has a good laugh, but it’s not funny to the people who were involved. Someone could get hurt.

We’ve rounded up what we believe to be golf’s seven deadly sins. These are the things you should always do (rake your bunkers) or never do (get into a fight) on a golf course. Let’s keep the game fun, and safe, for everyone.

Leaving your ball marks and divots unfixed

We believe in the notion that you should leave the course in better shape than you found it. That means any sort of scars you leave behind should be fixed. Ideally you fix a few others, too. Nobody wants to hit a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway and find their ball in a deep, untended divot. Every golfer should follow the course’s protocol for filling in divots. Either replace the divot or fill it with the sand provided on your cart (or from the bag you should be carrying on your pull cart).

It’s arguably even more important to fix ball marks on the green. Not everybody ends up in the fairway, but everyone eventually reaches the green. Dozens of unrepaired ball marks not only looks bad but slows up pace of play if a golfer has to fix three craters before they can putt.

It takes a sense of pride and dedication to take care of golf courses. You’ll likely be back next week, so if you don’t take ownership of improving playing conditions, who will?

Showing up late for a tee time

Although showing up late for a tee time won’t get you disqualified unless you’re a tournament, being on time is still an important part of a golfer’s job. Showing up late ultimately affects everyone. Your group will be out of sorts waiting for you. If the starter tries to wait for you, it could delay tee times for the rest of the day. If you’re so late that a staffer has to drive you onto the course to find your group, that ultimately impacts the course operation and will bother the golfers you pass through on the course.

Do yourself a favor: show up early to hit some balls, stretch, putt or whatever else you need to do to get your mind ready for golf. It will give you the best chance to play well and ultimately enjoy the day.

Neglecting to rake bunkers

To me, raking bunkers is more important than fixing divots or ball marks on greens. Why? Because I’m already mad that my ball has chosen to visit this sandy wasteland. Seeing a disgustingly bad lie will only send me down a deeper hole of ‘woe is me.’ That negative thinking virtually guarantees a bad attempted recovery shot. Nobody wants to step into a bunker to see their ball in a crater or footprint left by a previous golfer. Please, please, please, give your best effort at a decent rake job. Your course superintendent and fellow players will thank you.

Damaging a green or tee box

There’s nothing worse than walking up to a green and seeing a swipe mark near the cup. Everybody gets frustrated on the greens at some point, but nobody should be so upset that they’re slamming or swinging their putter in disgust and damaging the putting surface. It’s a bad look. That kind of ugly behavior can not only get you thrown out of your club but your foursome, too.

Chopping up a tee box is slightly – very slightly – more forgivable because they’re probably already quite a few divots from us “hackers.” But you still shouldn’t do it, or you should at least clean up after yourself if you do.

It should go without saying that driving a golf cart on greens or tees is another major no-no, but I guess I’ll mention it just to cover all the bases.

Playing slowly

Many believe slow play is the curse of the entire industry. It doesn’t seem hard to walk up to a ball, take one practice swing and then fire. The problem is all golfers are human, and humans all have their own – how shall I put this nicely – “way.” Some people just take longer to process information and feel comfortable before they swing. It’s painful to watch six or seven waggles. Even if you stink – and there are plenty of days when I do – at least do it as fast as possible. Don’t read putts for longer than necessary. Pick up after you miss your double-bogey putt. Keep it moving.

Fighting with another golfer

Getting into a fight – whether it’s verbally or physically – on a golf course is embarrassing. Don’t do it.

It’s hard to believe that golf has an anger issue, but it does. We can’t go a month without another fight making the rounds on social media. Golf is supposed to be an escape from life’s pressures and stress. Unfortunately, the chaos of today’s world seems to be bleeding into the game. Golfers who are frustrated at home or work are more likely to blow their top over an ill-timed comment, bad shot or unfortunate incident.

Next time you feel like you’re going to lose your mind, and toss a punch or fling a club, take a deep breath, close your eyes and reset your mind. Whatever happened isn’t worth hurting someone or getting hurt yourself. You could end up in court, a hospital or worse.

Cheating

We all know that golfer…the guy who gives himself 3-footers, who moves balls into better lies or just outright lies about what score he made on a given hole. I don’t believe cheating is rampant in golf, but maybe I’m naive because most of my golf is social and carefree, not competitive in nature.

I don’t care what rules you follow (or don’t) in your everyday foursome. Just make sure you’re not cheating compared to the expectations of your playing partners. The game’s no. 1 rule is to play the ball as it lies, but if your foursome allows rolling the ball into a better spot, then I’m fine with it. At least everyone is on a level playing field.

Personally, I won’t use mulligans and almost never play winter rules. Good breaks, and bad, are part of the ebb and flow of a round of golf. How you handle each reveals a lot about your character.

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Laser Rangefinder vs. GPS Watch: Which Should You Buy?

by with No Comment Technology

When it comes to improving your golf game, having the right equipment can make a significant difference. Two popular tools that many golfers consider essential are laser rangefinders and GPS watches. Both devices offer distinct advantages, but which one is right for you? In this article, we’ll break down the features and benefits of each to help you make an informed decision.

Laser Rangefinder

What is a Laser Rangefinder?
A laser rangefinder is a handheld device that uses a laser beam to measure the distance between you and a specific target on the golf course, such as the flagstick or a hazard.

Advantages:

Pinpoint Accuracy: Laser rangefinders provide precise distance measurements, usually accurate to within a yard or less. This accuracy can be invaluable for selecting the right club and making confident swings.

Versatility: Laser rangefinders can be used on any golf course, regardless of whether it is pre-mapped or not. You can also measure distances to any point on the course, not just predetermined targets.

No Subscription Fees: Once you purchase a laser rangefinder, there are no additional costs or subscription fees. It’s a one-time investment that provides long-term value.

Ease of Use: Modern laser rangefinders are user-friendly and offer simple point-and-shoot operation. With a little practice, you can quickly and easily determine distances to any target on the course.

Disadvantages:

Line of Sight Required: Laser rangefinders require a clear line of sight to the target. If your view is obstructed by trees, hills, or other obstacles, you may not be able to get an accurate reading.

Manual Operation: Unlike GPS watches, laser rangefinders require manual operation to aim and shoot at the target. This can be a bit cumbersome and may slow down your pace of play.

GPS Watch

What is a GPS Watch?
A GPS watch is a wearable device that uses satellite technology to provide real-time distance information to various points on the golf course.

Advantages:

Convenience: GPS watches offer hands-free operation, allowing you to quickly glance at your wrist to see distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, as well as hazards and other key points on the course.

Pre-Mapped Courses: Many GPS watches come pre-loaded with thousands of golf courses worldwide, providing accurate distance information without the need for manual input.

Multifunctional: In addition to golf features, GPS watches often include fitness tracking, smartphone notifications, and other useful functions, making them a versatile accessory both on and off the course.

No Line of Sight Required: Unlike laser rangefinders, GPS watches do not require a clear line of sight to the target. This can be particularly beneficial on courses with many blind shots or obscured views.

Disadvantages:

Subscription Fees: Some GPS watches require a paid subscription to access advanced features or updates to the course database. This can add to the overall cost of ownership over time.

Less Precision: While GPS watches are generally accurate, they may not provide the same level of precision as laser rangefinders, especially on courses with complex layouts or multiple hazards close together.

Which Should You Buy?

The decision between a laser rangefinder and a GPS watch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and playing style.

Choose a Laser Rangefinder If:

You prioritize pinpoint accuracy and don’t mind manually aiming at targets.
You play on a variety of courses and want a versatile device that can measure distances to any point on the course.
You prefer a one-time investment without ongoing subscription fees.

Choose a GPS Watch If:

You value convenience and prefer hands-free operation on the course.
You play mainly on pre-mapped courses and want a device that automatically provides distance information.
You’re looking for a multifunctional device that offers additional features like fitness tracking and smartphone notifications.
Conclusion
Both laser rangefinders and GPS watches have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize accuracy and versatility, a laser rangefinder may be the right choice. On the other hand, if you value convenience and prefer a hands-free approach, a GPS watch could be the better option.

Regardless of which device you choose, investing in a reliable distance-measuring tool can help you make more informed decisions on the course, leading to better shot selection and ultimately, lower scores.

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Masters 2024 predictions, odds, picks, props: Golf insider choosing Sam Burns at Augusta National

by with No Comment Golf News

Golf insider Patrick McDonald has revealed his 2024 Masters picks, PGA best bets and props for Augusta National

After turning pro in 2009, the 2024 Masters will be the first of Peter Malnati’s career thanks to a win at the Valspar Championship last week. The first round of the 2024 Masters Tournament begins on Thursday, April 11 at Augusta National Golf Club and Malnati jumped to a career-best 65th in the Official World Golf Ranking with his victory. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler has won the last two of the last three times he’s teed it up and has spent 44 weeks in a row as the No. 1 player in the world. The 2022 Masters champion has eight PGA Tour wins in just over two calendar years and is the 5-1 favorite in the 2024 Masters odds.

Meanwhile, Malnati is one of the latest entrants into the 2024 Masters field and a 250-1 longshot in the 2024 Masters futures. Before locking in any 2024 Masters picks or golf predictions, you need to see what proven golf betting expert Patrick McDonald has to say, considering his recent track record.

McDonald joined CBS Sports as a golf writer in 2022 after stops at NBC Sports and RyderCup.com. Covering the sport from a broader perspective, McDonald still likes to dip his toes into the betting pools on a weekly basis between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and more. Featured weekly on the Early Wedge, he has given out numerous winners already in 2024, including Jake Knapp (50-1) at the Mexico Open.

Now, McDonald has focused his attention on the 2024 Masters field and has locked in his best bets, top sleepers and favorites to avoid. You can see only see them at SportsLine.

Top 2024 Masters expert picks
One stunning prediction from McDonald: He is high on Sam Burns, even though he is a 55-1 longshot. A former Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year while at LSU, Burns turned pro in 2017 and earned his PGA Tour card before the 2018-19 season, but didn’t break through with his first win until the 2021 Valspar Championship. Burns has added four more victories, including wins in the 2022 Charles Schwab Challenge and 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.

He’s No. 21 in the Official World Golf Ranking and also 21st in the FedEx Cup standings after four top-10 finishes over his first eight starts during the 2024 PGA Tour season. After missing the cut in his first Masters appearance in 2022, Burns finished 29th last year. His putting (top 20 in strokes gained: putting the last four seasons) should be a valuable asset moving forward at Augusta National Golf Club. See who else to back here.

How to make 2024 Masters picks, bets
McDonald is also jumping on an underdog who’s had plenty of success at Augusta National but is still listed at more than 100-1 to win it all. You can only see his 2024 Masters picks at SportsLine.

2024 Masters odds, field
See full 2024 Masters picks at SportsLine

Scottie Scheffler +500
Rory McIlroy +1000
Jon Rahm +1300
Brooks Koepka +2100
Jordan Spieth +2100
Will Zalatoris +2100
Viktor Hovland +2100
Xander Schauffele +2400
Ludvig Aberg +2400
Patrick Cantlay +2800
Justin Thomas +2800
Cameron Smith +3100
Hideki Matsuyama +3100
Collin Morikawa +3100
Joaquin Niemann +3100
Wyndham Clark +3100
Matt Fitzpatrick +3600
Dustin Johnson +3600
Tony Finau +4400
Max Homa +4400
Brian Harman +4600
Shane Lowry +4600
Cameron Young +4600
Jason Day +4600
Bryson DeChambeau +4600
Sam Burns +5500
Min Woo Lee +5500
Sahith Theegala +5500
Tommy Fleetwood +5500
Sung-Jae Im +7500
Tyrrell Hatton +7500
Corey Conners +9000
Tom Kim +9000
Justin Rose +9000
Patrick Reed +9000
Russell Henley +12000
Adam Scott +12000
Rickie Fowler +12000
Jake Knapp +12000
Phil Mickelson +16000
Harris English +16000
Sergio Garcia +16000
Tiger Woods +16000
Gary Woodland +19000
Keegan Bradley +19000
Si Woo Kim +19000
Chris Kirk +19000
Ryan Fox +19000
J.T. Poston +19000
Nick Dunlap +19000
Cameron Davis +19000
Thorbjorn Olesen +19000
Adrian Meronk +19000
Sepp Straka +19000
Nick Taylor +19000
Eric Cole +19000
Matthieu Pavon +19000
Emiliano Grillo +19000
Nicolai Hojgaard +19000
Luke List +21000
Adam Hadwin +21000
Charl Schwartzel +28000
Kurt Kitayama +28000
Bubba Watson +28000
Ryo Hisatsune +28000
Erik van Rooyen +28000
Danny Willett +34000
Denny McCarthy +34000
Lee Hodges +34000
Taylor Moore +43000
Adam Schenk +43000
Lucas Glover +43000
Grayson Murray +55000
Christo Lamprecht +55000
Mike Weir +100000
Jose Maria Olazabal +100000
Fred Couples +100000
Vijay Singh +100000
Zach Johnson +100000
Stewart Hagestad +100000
Jasper Stubbs +100000
Santiago De La Fuente +100000
Neal Shipley +100000

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2024 Players Championship odds, picks, field, predictions: Golf expert fading Rory McIlroy at TPC Sawgrass

by with No Comment Golf News

A PGA Tour season laden with longshot winners makes a stop in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., this week for the 2024 Players Championship beginning on Thursday at TPC Sawgrass. In 10 PGA Tour events this year, six winners have been +10000 or longer, and five have been +15000 or more. The biggest longshot was then-amateur Nick Dunlap, who was +40000 to win The American Express. Before Scottie Scheffler’s win last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the shortest-priced player to win this season was Jake Knapp, who was +4000 at the Mexico Open at Vidanta.

This week, Scheffler is the +500 favorite in the 2024 Players Championship odds. Rory McIlroy (+1200), Xander Schauffele (+2000), Justin Thomas (+2000) and Viktor Hovland (+2200) round out the top five choices in The Players Championship 2024 field. Before locking in any 2024 Players Championship picks, make sure you see the PGA Tour predictions and best bets from golf betting and fantasy expert Sia Nejad.

Nejad specializes in betting and DFS in golf, among other sports. He’s had incredible success in the outright and first-round leader markets and in betting head-to-head matchups. He also has been solid with his head-to-head matchups since last year’s Charles Schwab Challenge, going 33-20-2 and returning 9.17 units over that span. That’s a $917 profit for $100 bettors since May 2023.

Nejad also nailed 75-1 longshot Wyndham Clark as the outright winner at the Wells Fargo Championship. In 2023, SportsLine debuted “The Early Wedge,” and in the first three months of the show, he hit two first-round leaders and three outright winners.

Now, Nejad has focused his attention on the 2024 Players Championship field and has locked in his best bets, top sleepers and favorites to avoid. See who they are at SportsLine.

Top 2024 Players Championship expert picks

One surprise: Nejad is completely fading McIlroy, even though he is a strong contender according to The Players Championship odds. The 34-year-old from Northern Ireland has been splitting his time this year between the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. His best finish on the PGA Tour is 21st, at both the Cognizant Classic and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

So far this season, he ranks 129th on tour in strokes gained: putting (-0.246). Despite that, he is still the clear second choice in the Players Championship at +1200. “Given his recent form, there’s no way I can take him at +1200 or less,” Nejad told SportsLine.

However, Nejad is high on the chances of Tom Hoge, who’s a +6600 longshot. Hoge has one win in 265 career starts on the PGA Tour. That victory came in the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. This season, Hoge’s best finish was a tie for sixth, also at Pebble Beach.

In five starts at The Players Championship, Hoge has made the cut all five times. Last year, he shot a third-round 62 and tied for third. “His approach game has been dialed in, and he has some good all-around recent form and history at TPC Sawgrass,” Nejad said. See whom else to back at SportsLine.

How to make 2024 Players Championship picks

Nejad has locked in his best bets for the 2024 Players Championship and is backing several longshots, including one that is priced at more than 60-1. This player “has been absolutely dialed-in with his approach game” and is a longshot who could surprise. You can see Nejad’s PGA Tour picks only at SportsLine.

So which players should you target or avoid for the 2024 Players Championship, and which player in The Players Championship 2024 field could bring a huge payday at more than 60-1? Check out the odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Sia Nejad’s top picks for the 2024 Players Championship, all from the expert who is 33-20-2 on his last 55 head-to-head picks.

2024 Players Championship odds, field

Scottie Scheffler +500
Rory McIlroy +1200
Xander Schauffele +2000
Justin Thomas +2000
Viktor Hovland +2200
Will Zalatoris +2500
Patrick Cantlay +2500
Max Homa +2500
Collin Morikawa +2800
Jordan Spieth +3000
Hideki Matsuyama +3000
Ludvig Aberg +3000
Wyndham Clark +3500
Shane Lowry +3500
Sam Burns +4000
Tommy Fleetwood +4500
Si Woo Kim +4500
Russell Henley +4500
Jason Day +4500
Cameron Young +4500
Sahith Theegala +5000
Min Woo Lee +5000
Brian Harman +5000
Byeong Hun An +5500
Tony Finau +6000
Tom Hoge +6000
Matt Fitzpatrick +6000
Corey Conners +6000
Tom Kim +7500
Sungjae Im +7500
Keith Mitchell +8000
Keegan Bradley +8000
Harris English +8000
Cam Davis +8000
Adam Scott +8000
Aaron Rai +8000
Justin Rose +9000
Eric Cole +9000
Emiliano Grillo +9000
Nick Taylor +10000
J.T. Poston +10000
Doug Ghim +10000
Chris Kirk +10000
Brendon Todd +10000
Andrew Putnam +10000
Alex Noren +10000
Adam Hadwin +10000
Nicolai Hojgaard +10000
Denny McCarthy +11000
Billy Horschel +11000
Stephan Jaeger +13000
Sepp Straka +13000
Rickie Fowler +13000
Matthieu Pavon +13000
Lucas Glover +13000
Jake Knapp +13000
Erik Van Rooyen +13000
Christiaan Bezuidenhout +13000
Beau Hossler +13000
Ryan Fox +15000
Luke List +15000
Kevin Yu +15000
Davis Thompson +15000
Austin Eckroat +15000
Akshay Bhatia +15000
Patrick Rodgers +18000
Maverick McNealy +18000
Andrew Novak +18000
Taylor Pendrith +20000
Thomas Detry +25000
Ryo Hisatsune +25000
Kurt Kitayama +25000
Taylor Moore +30000
Taylor Montgomery +30000
Seamus Power +30000
Sam Ryder +30000
Nick Dunlap +30000
Matt Wallace +30000
Matt Kuchar +30000
Lee Hodges +30000
K.H. Lee +30000
Justin Suh +30000
Gary Woodland +30000
Garrick Higgo +30000
Chesson Hadley +30000
Chan Kim +30000
Carson Young +30000
Ben Silverman +30000
Ben Kohles +30000
Ben Griffin +30000
Adam Svensson +30000
Webb Simpson +35000
Vincent Norrman +35000
Tyler Duncan +35000
Sami Valimaki +35000
Nico Echavarria +35000
Mark Hubbard +35000
Mackenzie Hughes +35000
Adam Schenk +35000
Troy Merritt +40000
Steve Stricker +40000
Robert MacIntyre +40000
Nick Hardy +40000
Martin Laird +40000
Justin Lower +40000
Joel Dahmen +40000
Jimmy Stanger +40000
J.J. Spaun +40000
Greyson Sigg +40000
Grayson Murray +40000
Francesco Molinari +40000
Charley Hoffman +40000
Chad Ramey +40000
C.T. Pan +40000
Brandon Wu +40000
Alex Smalley +40000
Aaron Baddeley +40000
Scott Stallings +50000
Sam Stevens +50000
Nate Lashley +50000
Michael Kim +50000
Matt NeSmith +50000
Joseph Bramlett +50000
Camilo Villegas +50000
Ben Martin +50000
Brice Garnett +50000
Zac Blair +60000
S.H. Kim +60000
Robby Shelton +60000
Matti Schmid +60000
Peter Malnati +80000
Harry Hall +80000
Dylan Wu +80000
David Skinns +80000
Carl Yuan +80000
Ryan Moore +100000
Kevin Streelman +100000
Hayden Buckley +100000
Davis Riley +100000
David Lipsky +100000
Tyson Alexander +150000
Chez Reavie +150000
Callum Tarren +150000
Ben Taylor +500000

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Mastering the Greens: Essential Driving Tips for Golfers

by with No Comment Training

Golf, often referred to as the gentleman’s game, is a sport that demands precision, strategy, and finesse. Among the myriad of skills required to excel on the course, driving stands out as one of the most crucial. A well-executed drive sets the tone for the entire hole, positioning the golfer for success or struggle. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just beginning your golfing journey, mastering the art of driving is essential for lowering your scores and enhancing your enjoyment of the game. Here are some key driving tips to help you navigate the fairways with confidence and skill.

Perfect Your Stance and Grip:
A solid stance and proper grip form the foundation of a powerful drive. Position your feet shoulder-width apart, with the ball aligned with your front heel for a standard drive. Your weight should be evenly distributed, with a slight bend at the hips and knees. As for your grip, adopt a neutral grip with your palms facing each other and the club resting diagonally across the fingers of your left hand (for right-handed golfers). Your right hand should overlap the left comfortably, creating a unified grip that allows for controlled power and accuracy.

Find Your Sweet Spot:
Every club has a sweet spot—the point on the clubface where contact with the ball produces maximum distance and accuracy. Experiment with different clubs on the driving range to locate the sweet spot for each one. Once you’ve identified it, focus on consistently striking the ball with the center of the clubface to optimize your drives.

Maintain a Smooth Tempo:
A common mistake among amateur golfers is swinging too hard in an attempt to generate power. Instead of muscling the ball, focus on maintaining a smooth, controlled tempo throughout your swing. Start with a relaxed backswing, gradually increasing speed as you transition into the downswing. Imagine the swing as a pendulum, with a fluid rhythm that carries the club through impact and into the follow-through.

Engage Your Core:
Powerful drives require more than just arm strength—they rely heavily on the rotational power of your core muscles. Focus on engaging your abdominal muscles and rotating your torso through the swing to unleash maximum power and distance. Keep your upper body aligned with your lower body throughout the swing, allowing for a seamless transfer of energy from your core to the clubhead.

Follow Through with Purpose:
The follow-through is a crucial component of a successful drive, often overlooked by inexperienced golfers. After making contact with the ball, extend your arms fully and allow the club to continue its natural path toward the target. A complete follow-through promotes balance and control, ensuring that your shot flies true and lands where intended.

Embrace Consistency Over Distance:
While hitting long drives is undeniably satisfying, consistency should always take precedence over sheer distance. Focus on achieving a consistent, repeatable swing that delivers predictable results. This might mean sacrificing a few yards off the tee in exchange for tighter dispersion and fewer errant shots. Remember, accuracy is paramount in golf, and a well-placed drive sets the stage for a successful hole regardless of its length.

Practice, Practice, Practice:
As with any skill, mastering the art of driving requires dedication and practice. Spend time on the driving range honing your technique, experimenting with different clubs, and refining your swing mechanics. Incorporate drills and exercises designed to improve specific aspects of your driving game, whether it’s tempo, alignment, or ball flight control. The more you practice, the more confident and proficient you’ll become on the course.

In conclusion, driving is a fundamental skill in golf that can make or break your performance on the course. By focusing on proper technique, tempo, and consistency, you can maximize your driving distance and accuracy, ultimately leading to lower scores and greater enjoyment of the game. So, the next time you step up to the tee box, remember these driving tips and watch your game soar to new heights.

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The 10 best golf trips to take in 2024

by with No Comment uncategorized

Planning a golf trip is about more than just booking a tee time. The best destinations combine world-class courses, unforgettable scenery, and a full resort experience. From legendary links in Scotland to dramatic oceanfront layouts in California, these golf trips should be on every golfer’s travel list for 2024.

Below are ten of the best golf destinations worth building a trip around.

1. St Andrews, Scotland

Often called the “Home of Golf,” St Andrews is the ultimate pilgrimage for golfers. The Old Course has hosted the game’s biggest championships for centuries and features iconic landmarks like the Swilcan Bridge and Hell Bunker.

Beyond the Old Course, the town offers multiple outstanding layouts, including the New Course and Castle Course. Add historic pubs, seaside views, and deep golf tradition, and it becomes one of the sport’s most meaningful travel experiences.

2. Pebble Beach, California

Few golf trips are as famous as Pebble Beach. The course hugs the Pacific Ocean, delivering some of the most photographed holes in golf, including the par-3 7th and the dramatic par-5 18th.

The resort includes several courses, such as Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay, along with luxury accommodations and the scenic 17-Mile Drive. It’s expensive, but for many golfers it’s the ultimate bucket-list round.

3. Bandon Dunes, Oregon

Bandon Dunes has become one of the most celebrated golf resorts in the world. Set along the rugged Oregon coastline, the resort features multiple links-style courses, including Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald, and Sheep Ranch.

The experience focuses on pure golf: walking courses, ocean views, and strong caddie programs. Many golfers consider it the closest American experience to traditional Scottish links golf.

4. Pinehurst, North Carolina

Pinehurst is often described as the “Home of American Golf.” The resort includes ten championship courses and a long history of major championships.

The centerpiece is Pinehurst No. 2, designed by Donald Ross and host of multiple U.S. Opens. With its historic village atmosphere and classic course designs, Pinehurst offers a complete golf destination.

5. Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic

For golfers who want sunshine and ocean views, Casa de Campo delivers a luxury Caribbean golf experience. The resort is home to Teeth of the Dog, a course consistently ranked among the best in the region.

Several holes play directly along the sea, combining spectacular scenery with challenging design. Off the course, the resort offers beaches, marinas, and high-end dining.

6. Cabot Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Cabot Cape Breton has quickly become one of North America’s most exciting golf destinations. The property includes Cabot Cliffs and Cabot Links, both of which feature dramatic oceanfront holes.

The rugged coastline and remote location make the experience feel like a true golf escape. It’s ideal for travelers looking for world-class golf in a quiet, scenic setting.

7. Kohler, Wisconsin

Kohler is home to the Straits Course at Whistling Straits, a layout that has hosted major championships and the 2021 Ryder Cup. The course sits along Lake Michigan and is famous for its dramatic bunkering and windswept terrain.

The resort also offers several other courses, luxury lodging, and spa amenities, making it a top destination for group golf trips.

8. Streamsong, Florida

Streamsong offers one of the most unique golf experiences in the United States. Built on reclaimed mining land in central Florida, the resort features three highly ranked courses: Streamsong Red, Blue, and Black.

Each course was designed by a different architect, giving golfers a variety of playing styles within the same destination.

9. Costa Navarino, Greece

Costa Navarino has emerged as one of Europe’s premier golf destinations. Located on the Mediterranean coast, the resort offers several championship courses paired with luxury accommodations.

The combination of seaside landscapes, warm climate, and rich local culture makes it a great option for golfers seeking an international getaway.

10. Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand

For golfers willing to travel far, Cape Kidnappers delivers one of the most dramatic settings in the sport. The course sits atop towering cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Fairways run along the edges of steep drop-offs, creating unforgettable views and thrilling golf. The surrounding Hawke’s Bay region also offers excellent food, wine, and natural scenery.

Why Golf Trips Remain Special

The best golf trips combine more than great courses. They create lasting memories through landscapes, camaraderie, and the chance to play the same holes that legends once walked.

From historic links in Scotland to coastal layouts in California and remote cliffs in New Zealand, these destinations represent some of the finest golf travel experiences available today.

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Tee Off in Paradise: The Best Golf Courses in Florida

by with No Comment Golf News

Florida has long been one of the premier golf destinations in the United States. With warm weather year-round, coastal scenery, and hundreds of championship courses, the Sunshine State offers something for every golfer. From iconic PGA Tour venues to hidden resort gems, Florida combines challenging layouts with unforgettable settings.

Here are some of the best golf courses in Florida where you can truly tee off in paradise.

TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium Course)

Located in Ponte Vedra Beach, TPC Sawgrass is one of the most famous courses in the world and the longtime home of The Players Championship. Designed by Pete Dye, the Stadium Course is known for its bold architecture and spectator-friendly layout.

The course’s signature hole is the par-3 17th, the legendary island green that has produced some of golf’s most dramatic moments. Precision and nerves are essential here, making it one of the most recognizable holes in the sport.

Seminole Golf Club

Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach is widely regarded as one of the finest courses in America. Designed by Donald Ross and opened in 1929, the course features strategic bunkering, fast greens, and stunning Atlantic Ocean views.

Seminole remains an extremely private club, but it has gained wider attention in recent years through televised charity matches and elite amateur events. Its classic design and coastal winds make it a true test of golf.

Streamsong Resort (Red, Blue, and Black)

Located in central Florida, Streamsong Resort offers a completely different type of golf experience. Built on former phosphate mining land, the landscape features massive dunes, rolling fairways, and dramatic elevation changes rarely seen in Florida.

The resort features three acclaimed courses:

  • Streamsong Red designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw
  • Streamsong Blue by Tom Doak
  • Streamsong Black by Gil Hanse

Each course offers a unique style while maintaining the resort’s rugged, links-inspired feel.

Bay Hill Club & Lodge

Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club in Orlando is another must-play course in Florida. It hosts the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour and is known for its challenging layout and demanding finishing stretch.

Water hazards come into play on several holes, while the closing holes require precise shot-making under pressure. Playing Bay Hill allows golfers to experience a course deeply connected to Palmer’s legacy.

Trump National Doral (Blue Monster)

The Blue Monster at Trump National Doral in Miami is one of Florida’s most demanding courses. It has hosted numerous professional tournaments and remains famous for its length and difficult water hazards.

The par-4 18th hole, with water running along the entire left side, is considered one of the toughest finishing holes in golf. The course was redesigned by Gil Hanse and continues to challenge players of all skill levels.

Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course)

The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor is home to the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship. Unlike many Florida courses, Copperhead features rolling terrain and tree-lined fairways.

Its closing stretch, known as the “Snake Pit,” is one of the most difficult finishing sequences on the PGA Tour and regularly determines the tournament champion.

TPC Tampa Bay

TPC Tampa Bay offers a strong championship-style experience accessible to the public. The course winds through natural wetlands and cypress forests, creating a peaceful but challenging setting.

With well-maintained greens and strategic bunkering, it provides a taste of PGA Tour-level golf without the exclusivity of private clubs.

Naples Grande Golf Club

In southwest Florida, Naples Grande Golf Club blends tropical scenery with a demanding layout designed by Rees Jones. The course features lush vegetation, elevated greens, and carefully placed water hazards.

Players often encounter wildlife while playing, adding to the relaxed but scenic atmosphere that defines the Naples golf experience.

Why Florida remains a golf paradise

Florida’s reputation as a golf haven comes from more than just the number of courses. The state offers a mix of championship venues, luxury resorts, and year-round playability that few destinations can match.

From iconic tournament courses like TPC Sawgrass to unique resort experiences like Streamsong, Florida provides unforgettable rounds for golfers of every level.

Whether you’re planning a winter golf getaway or a bucket-list trip, Florida continues to deliver some of the most exciting and scenic golf experiences in the world.