News

Erik Compton’s Golf Mojo

Published

18 years ago

Mar 26, 2008

What drives Erik Compton? How can he stare his future in the face and not blink? Why does he surprise his touring pro buddies by popping into the locker room at the Doral days after a heart procedure? How can he place himself in the public spotlight and unflinchingly answer such personal and probing questions?

I can only deduce one thing: He’s found golf’s mojo.

For those who don’t know, Erik received a heart transplant 16 years ago at age 12. Today, he faces increasingly serious issues that have drawn him irrevocably back to the place where he finds a large measure of peace and comfort: the world of golf.

Here is what Erik said to The Golf Channel’s Tim Rosaforte during one profound TV interview, “I think all these guys out there on tour—all the top players—they have so much magic. And it’s good for me to be around them for that to rub off.”

All of us know that golf has that certain “something” that can make pulses race and spouses incredulous. But I’ll tell you, when Erik looked Tim in the eye and said in essence that he sought golf’s magic power at this crucial time in his life, wow, that really opened my eyes. Suddenly, hundreds of years of golf addiction made sense.

What is mojo? Simply, mojo means “soul” or “life-force.” Most of us, I think, believe that our golf addiction comes from our strange proclivity for self-abuse in a green paradise. Erik sees things, I believe, quite differently. I believe that he sees the game, its verdant stage, and all its heroic players as a holistic and positive force, as something to seek in times of trouble, as valuable to his outlook and well-being. This is a remarkable thing for him to express, and a valuable thing for us to ponder.

In Erik’s view, he is not taking this life-journey alone. As he told Tim, “I have a girl’s heart. She’s taken me 16 years and she’s tired and I think she wants some peace.” He has often said that he’s living his life for two—for himself and for the girl who saved his life. “The hardest thing for me is realizing that I have to let some of that go if I get another transplant. Somebody else will be with me—again…that’s kind of hard for me to deal with a little bit.”

Some say that golf gives you heart. In Erik’s case, his new heart gave him golf. That girl allowed Erik to live a dynamic life wrapped in the embrace of golf’s newly discovered magic. Erik and golf formed a life-altering bond in 1992, during the rehabilitation following his heart transplant. He rose to become the top junior boy golfer in the nation, an All-American at the University of Georgia, a player on the Walker Cup team, and a member of the Nationwide Tour with his sights set on a PGA Tour card. Then, last September, emergency surgery unblocked an artery that would have certainly killed him. Most recently, on March 18, he underwent an angioplasty and ultimately had to have a defibrillator implanted in his heart. Then what? Then, four short days later, he was talking to Tim and spending a day at Doral with his buds.

Now at 28 years old, Erik’s heart is failing and he requires a another transplant. He will have to let the girl go. He is saddened, optimistic, and philosophical at the same time, while seeking solace amidst a steady supply of good golf mojo.

So, where laughter is the best medicine for some, for Erik I think it is a pured four-iron in the hands of a friend. Or, maybe I am romanticizing his words. Perhaps he travels to golf’s venue merely as a weary traveler might return home where he belongs. Still, if we’re talking about mojo, there’s no place like home. Or maybe for Erik, there’s no place like home on the range.

Photo by Dot Paul

News

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

Published

1 day 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.

GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 OccuNet Classic

Published

1 day ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.

It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.

Check out links to all our albums below.

General Albums

2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT) – Monday #1

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)

News

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Scotty Cameron GOLO 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition

Published

1 day ago

Jun 9, 2026

Will Schube

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.

From the listing:

Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.