News

Golf is a Team Sport

Published

14 years ago

Feb 16, 2012

Michael Williams

By Michael Williams

Special to GolfWRX

I had the best run of my life picking games in this year’s NFL playoffs. I predicted the Giants and Patriots in the Super Bowl at the beginning of the playoffs (oh, yes I did).

I was so dialed in that I was predicting turnovers and two plays later they would happen. I missed on only two picks: the Steelers-Broncos game and the Super Bowl. And in both cases I got it wrong cause I bet on a superior player being able to overcome a superior team. Ben Roethlisberger is clearly a superior player to Tim Tebow, but the Steelers were decimated by injuries and were sufficiently diminished as a team to make them vulnerable. In the championship game, Tom Brady’s brilliance could not overcome the combination of a stellar performance by his opposite number Eli Manning the fact that the Giants’ superior personnel at virtually every position. In each case, the better team beat the better player.

As we continue to read the tea leaves of Pebble Beach for indications of what is coming in 2012, one thing is becoming clear. More than ever, today’s PGA Tour is a team sport.

Football is the analogy that comes to mind because the comparison of Brady and Manning fits so nicely with the premise. Brady and Tiger have both had their time as the absolute rulers of the roost. Their combination of skill, charisma and the ability to perform at their best when the stakes were highest propelled them into the pantheon of the greatest in their respective sports. Manning and Mickelson, though extraordinarily gifted in their own right, have been considered to be lesser versions of their storied rivals. Although the stage was not as grand as Manning’s in the Super Bowl, Mickelson produced a dazzling display of golf, trumping his rival Woods yet again in a head to head matchup. But it wasn’t just Mickelson alone. It was Team Mickelson.

A modern golfer has three basic components to his or her team. First is the caddy, a combination of coach, conspirator, consultant and confessor. The only member of the team that is on the field of play with the athlete, they have to have the physical strength to carry a 70 lb. cart bag six miles uphill, and the internal strength to trust their livelihood to athletes who have psyches more brittle than a frozen DVD. Second is the swing guru, who is responsible for giving the athlete the practical tools to enable them to win. The best of them like alchemists, able to take a player’s raw talent and turn it into gold. The third component is the family. The wife and children are front and center at most tournaments for a reason; they are the teammates that are present in other sports. They share the training table meal, travel on the planes, checking into the hotels and cheering on the sidelines. A stable, healthy and happy family is crucial to the ongoing success of the athlete.

When you match up Team Woods vs. Team Mickelson, the team concept gains credence. At the height of his power, Team Woods consisted of Tiger, Steve Williams, Butch Harmon and a gorgeous wife with two lovely children. Steve Williams won’t win Miss Congeniality, but he is one of the best in the game at what he does. He caddied for some of the best in the game before landing the Woods gig and he earned every one of the billion pennies that he made, managing the on-course performance of maybe the biggest prima donna/SOB in sports. But, as the saying goes, it takes one to know one. Butch Harmon was and is the greatest swing coach in history, end of story. Don’t talk to me about Harvey Penick, Jim Flick, etc. It’s all about Butch, baby. And despite the crash landing, Elin and Tiger started out as a happy couple that produced the heir that Earl so badly wanted to see before he passed away. With these three anchors in place, Tiger went on a run seldom seen in the game. He wasn’t even competing with the field; at every event he was paired in a foursome with History, Legacy and Destiny. He gave them two strokes a side and beat them going away.

Now, Team Woods has had a complete turnover at every position. Now on the bag is Joe LaCava, a guy who spent 20 years with Fred Couples and most of last season with Dustin Johnson. He is experienced and professional, but it’s a little different handling two of golf’s acknowledged nice guys and one of its most petulant performers. The guy who flies F-16s is a pilot; so is the guy who flies for JetBlue, but you wouldn’t expect to swap them out and not notice the difference. The latest swing guru is Sean Foley, who seems to have convinced Tiger of his methods but is seriously lacking in the “what have you done for me, ever” category. I think everyone knows the story of the home life.

Contrast that with Phil. He has his caddy Jim “Bones” Mackay, who has been with him his entire career and knows him better than he knows himself. Bones reads moods and greens equally well, so he knows exactly when Mickelson needs a kick or a cuddle. Butch Harmon is now in service of Mickelson, and every time Phil commits to Butch’s swing principles he wins. If Phil ever decided to put in the hours on the range with Harmon that Tiger did, history might look different. Lastly, Phil has a devoted family that has only been strengthened by their recent trials. Now that they are healthy and happy, both athlete and family can concentrate on winning.

Advantage, Team Mickelson.

The issue that golf enthusiasts have with the belly putter is that the club should not be anchored to the body. The plain truth is that every club, every swing is anchored to the mind. The more stable the mind, the more productive the golfer. In stressful times, you have to able to trust yourself; you learn to trust yourself by trusting others. Phil has built a formidable circle of trust, and it will be fascinating to see how far it takes him. For Tiger, it seems that the one person that he ever trusted thoroughly, his father, left his team and this life. In this chapter in his life, the key to regaining his ability may hinge on his lifelong quest for stability in Team Woods.

Click here for more discussion in the “Tour Talk” forum

Michael Williams is the contributing editor of Newschannel8 Capital Golf Weekly and Bunkershot.com, as well as a member of the Golf Writers Association of America.

You can follow Michael on twitter — @Michaelontv

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

2 hours ago

Jun 11, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user is wondering how many birdies other players have had in a round while still failing to break par. @Lalan45, unfortunately, asked the question after a unique experience of their own.

They wrote:

“Today I managed 8 birdies but still shot even par, could have been a round to remember! What’s the most birdies you’ve made in a round and still didn’t break par?”

Our members in the forum shared their own experiences with successful rounds that still resulted in a score over par. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

kwcsports: “I’ve had 5 a few times, still shot 80+ haha.”
jda: “I played a course for the first time, had 8 birdies, 9 doubles and an eagle. The infamous no-par round. I kept the scorecard. Every shot had a creek that I did not know about, or I was within 8-10 feet for a birdie look. To this day, I have no idea if I should be really jacked up or mad about that performance.”
jvincent: “I think my record is either 5 or 6. Probably shot 75.”
Instron4204: “3 birdies and shot a 92…man I suck!”

Entire Thread: “Most Birdies Without Breaking Par.”

News

Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

2 hours ago

Jun 11, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.

@DTorres asked:

The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?

Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.

We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.

Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”

Entire Thread: “Best current stock shaft 2026.”

News

GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.