News
The Memorial Tournament – Playing At Jack’s House
by Scott MacLeod, via Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)
Tribute season continues on the PGA Tour. After weeks where Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson were given their due the PGA Tour is in Ohio this week at the home of Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus, of course, is not only highly respected for his playing record but also for his influence in other aspects of the game including golf course design, equipment, and endorsements.
There is a lot for current PGA Tour players to be grateful for and the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance allows for a little reflection on many things.
Only 120 players make up the field at the Memorial, making it a tournament that many players long to get into each year. Winning it just means that much more as Mr. Nicklaus awards you the honour of being the champion at his event.
In 2010 Justin Rose achieved that high standard, and he did so in an impressive fashion. Facing a four-stroke deficit to third round leader Rickie Fowler, he charged to the clubhouse with a 66, the lowest score in the field in the final round and enough to create a three stroke margin of victory. It was his first PGA Tour win and made him only the 2nd European to have won the Memorial, following Carl Pettersson who was the 2006 champion.
Just as it is every year, this is shaping up to be a must-watch tournament with a good number of top players returning to action. On a Tour level there are 8 of the top 10, 25 of the top 30, and 38 of the top 50 players from the current FedEx Cup standings teeing it up in Dublin, Ohio at Muirfield Village.
On a world level that entails six of the top 11 players within the Official World Golf Ranking and nearly half of the top 50.
The contenders will include seven of the last nine champions: Justin Rose, Kenny Perry (2), K.J. Choi, Ernie Els,
Carl Pettersson and Jim Furyk while fifteen players who account for 17 PGA Tour wins in 2011 will also take a shot at Jack’s tournament. Those players alone would make for a pretty good field since they are led by none other than new World #1 Luke Donald who was not in the field last year.
Try as they will to have Muirfield Village in top shape, it is sure to be soft after a very wet spring in Ohio. With that being the case expects scores to be as low as last year when Rose’s tally of -18 took the title. You might even see the winner fire four rounds in the 60’s, a feat that has not been accomplished since Bart Bryant did it in his 2005 victory (69-69-66-68). Rickie Fowler and Tim Petrovic had opportunities to accomplish that going into the final round in 2010, but Fowler shot a 73 and Petrovic a 74. Four rounds in the 60s has only been accomplished eight times in Memorial.
This year’s winner will have to make a good share of birdies and for that reason I have am going with Bo Van Pelt as my pick for the win. Van Pelt is not afraid to go deep and is coming off a week of rest after taking 3rd at Colonial with a final round of 65. He tied for 3rd place at the Memorial in 2010 and is riding a streak of three straight tournament rounds in the 60’s at Muirfield Village coming into the week.
Luke Donald is my secondary pick because, frankly, you’d be crazy to bet against him. We’ll see how he carries over the momentum from last week’s BMW PGA Championship victory at Wentworth.
2011 the Memorial Tournament
Dates: May 30- June 5, 2011
Where: Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, OH
Par/Yards: 36-36—72 / 7,366
Field: 120
Defending Champion: Justin Rose
FedExCup Points: 500
Purse: $6,200,000; Winner’s Share: $1,116,000; Format: 72-hole stroke play
This report provided to GolfWRX.com by Canada's Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)
News
Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss
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!”
News
Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss
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.”
News
GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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