News

Morning 9: Delicate dance of player/caddie disagreement | Reed’s favorite green jacket memory | Tiger’s build to Augusta

Published

7 years ago

Mar 19, 2019

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt ([email protected])

March 19, 2019

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans. On this day in 1993, 63-year-old Arnold Palmer made the cut for the last time on the PGA Tour at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

1. The delicate dance

You saw the agonizing tango of tensely talking it over Jon Rahm and caddie Adam Hayes engaged in before the Spaniard ultimately ignored his looper’s advice and sent his hopes of winning The Players to a watery grave at the 11th hole, Sunday.

Now, here’s some additional post mortem, courtesy of Golf Digest’s Sam Weinman and veteran caddie Kip Henley.

Henley: “Ninety-eight percent of America looks at that and knows Adam was making the right call,” Henley said. “Birdie is great, but par doesn’t kill you, and a good caddie is able to look at the situation without as much emotion as the player.”

Weinman: “So Hayes does fight-at least to a point. As Henley said, the odds are always stacked against a caddie when player digs in his heels as well. He says a caddie wins these arguments about 10 percent of the time, so at some point, a caddie has to contemplate caving. That’s what you’re seeing when Rahm starts explaining why he doesn’t feel comfortable laying up because it will leave him an awkward lie. At that point it doesn’t matter that Hayes is still in the right. He knows he can’t win.”
Henley: “The whole time you’re fighting you better be aware where your guy is leaning because if you know he’s not coming over, you need to start backpedaling. You then need to make him feel like it’s a good decision. Everybody does that. You read your guy, and you find a way to change your tune.”

Full piece.

2. A fresh mental approach for McIlroy

Credit to Brian Keogh of the Irish Independent for including this Rory McIlroy quote in his piece on what’s going on between the Ulsterman’s ears…

“It’s just another step in the journey. I’ve been preaching perspective, and I feel like I’ve got a pretty good handle on that perspective.

“It’s a glimpse. My career is hopefully going to last another 15 or 20 years, so one tournament or one day or one month in those 20 years is nothing. It’s just a glimpse. So it doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change who I am.

“It’s another step in the right direction. But that’s all it is to me. It’s a huge tournament to win.

“I’ve just got to do my thing, and if I go and I concentrate on me, control what I can do, good golf and good attitude takes care of the rest.

“And if I go to Augusta with a similar golf game to what I have now and the attitude I’ve shown over the first few weeks of the year, I think I’ll have a great chance.”

Full piece.

3. Tiger’s slow build to Augusta

ESPN’s Bob Harig with a lengthy look at the state of the Tiger with the Masters less than a month away…

“Woods had no three-putts, which is an improvement from six three-putts at both Riviera and Mexico City.”

“But he was just 70th in the field in strokes gained approach, an unusually poor number for him. Woods hit 52 of 72 greens for the week and had fewer than 30 putts in only the final round.”

“And yet, he had one of his best weeks of the year off the tee, finishing fifth in the field in strokes gained and taking some confidence with him.”

“I’m excited the way I drove it,” said Woods, who dropped from 11th to 13th in the world ranking. “I drove the ball well this week. I drove it not quite as long on the weekend with a little bit cooler temperatures, but I was driving it pretty straight, and I was able to shape the golf ball both ways with all three of my woods, which was good to see.”

Full piece.

4. Reed’s favorite green jacket memory

Per Tara Sullivan at the Boston Globe (and from Reed’s Monday conference call)

“Asked his favorite memory in the jacket, Reed told a story about his young daughter.”

“It would have had to have been right after we won and right after I got done talking in the press conference, right after we finished,” he said. “I went back to Butler Cabin, and my daughter was there, and she just came over and gave me a big hug and told me I did it and told me she loved me. That is by far the best experience I’ve ever had with the green jacket. That’s a memory and a moment that I’ll never forget, no matter if I were to win multiple other green jackets, any other tournament I were to win, or anything like that. It’s going to be hard to be able to top a moment like that that I was able to cherish with the little one.”

Full piece.

5. Surprised? You don’t know Jim!

John Feinstein on Jim Furyk, who nearly won The Players, and his passion for proving doubters wrong.

“At this point in his life, Furyk should be counting down the 14 months left until he’s eligible to play with the 50-and-older set on the PGA Tour Champions, where his accuracy and putting ability will more than offset his relative lack of distance off the tee.”

“But that’s not how Furyk’s built. He almost enjoys being doubted-which he has been ever since he was playing junior golf. “Never really bothered me,” he has often said of people making fun of his swing. “As long as I played well, what did I care what people said about my swing?”

“Furyk went more than 4½ years without winning after winning three times in 2010 and remained undaunted until he broke the skein at Hilton Head in 2015. He’s done just about everything you can hope to do in golf: He’s won a major (the 2003 U.S. Open); he’s won the FedEx Cup (2010); he’s played on nine Ryder Cup teams and captained one; he’s won 17 times on tour; he was the first player to ever shoot 58 in a tour event (2016 Travelers) and-as Tabitha witnessed at that long-ago Memorial-has always been one of golf’s good guys.”

Full piece.

6. From Ryder Cup captain to…Ryder Cup player?

On the subject of Furyk…

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine notes…”Just two events into Team USA’s 2020 Ryder Cup qualification, the projected eight automatic qualifiers feature seven past Ryder Cup players, including Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas.”

“Jim Furyk is also currently on the team courtesy of his runner-up finish at The Players, which moved him to second in the standings.”

Full piece.

7. Hoping for a Women’s Masters

Via BBC Sport…”England’s Georgia Hall hopes the staging of a women’s amateur tournament at Augusta National could pave the way for a Women’s Masters.”

“The final round of the inaugural 54-hole tournament will be played at the Masters’ home on Saturday, 6 April.”
“It’s another step towards having some equality,” Women’s British Open winner Hall told BBC golf podcast The Cut. “The Masters could be women. Maybe we can have an event like that, it would be cool to play it on the same course.”

Full piece.

8. A well-earned respite

Our Gianni Magliocco…

“Legendary golf instructor Butch Harmon is retiring from tour life according to a report from Golfweek.com”

“Per the report, sources say Harmon has told his players that he is “done on tour.” The 75-year-old will continue teaching in Las Vegas where he lives with his wife, Christy, but the man who currently coaches the likes of Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, and Gary Woodland will no longer be a regular on Tour with his stable of players.”

“Harmon will also be scaling back his appearances as an analyst on TV, after working extensively with Sky Sports UK over the last two decades.”

Full piece.

9. A welcome to the Wedge Guy!

We’re pleased to have Terry Koehler joining GolfWRX as a Featured Writer. If you’re unfamiliar with the 40-year golf equipment industry veteran, check out this release.

“GolfWRX has announced that industry veteran Terry Koehler will resume his weekly blog as “The Wedge Guy”, beginning Tuesday, March 19, 2019 as an exclusive feature of GolfWRX. The column can be found at www.GolfWRX.com/TheWedgeGuy. In his regular weekly column Koehler will share insights, observations and opinions gleaned from a 40-year career in the golf industry. Koehler introduced his bi-weekly blog columns at TheWedgeGuy.com in 2003 and wrote until 2010, having to pause when his life’s pace was accelerated by the creation of SCOR Golf and then the resurrection of Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company.”

Full release.

Look for Koehler’s first item for WRX later today

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

14 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

14 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

3 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.