Morning 9: Scheduling difficulties | Ko, swing coach split | Good job but still too poor to play golf?

Published

7 years ago

May 1, 2019

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt ([email protected])

May 1, 2019

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans.

1. How to schedule…

…around the first majors of the year, under the new calendar?…it’s a question pros are asking and dealing with in different ways.

Doug Ferguson on the topic, after mentioning Tiger Woods will be out of action between the Masters and PGA….

“That schedule also fits Justin Thomas, the No. 5 player in the world who pulled out of Quail Hollow as a precaution because of a wrist injury. Bryson DeChambeau is not on the list to play next week in Dallas, meaning he also will go a month between majors.”

“Dustin Johnson, the No. 1 player in the world, played at Hilton Head the week after the Masters and is likely to have three weeks off before the PGA Championship unless he decides to add Dallas at the last minute. Ditto for Francesco Molinari and Xander Schauffele.”

“Rose and Rory McIlroy are playing only at Quail Hollow between the majors, and Rickie Fowler appears to have the same plan.”

Full piece.

2. Team Ko-Oh no more

Golf Channel’s Randall Mell…”Ko told GolfChannel.com Tuesday that she has parted ways with Ted Oh.”

“We just mutually decided it was time,” Ko said. “We ended on good terms.”

“I have a lot to thank Ted…He gave me a really solid blueprint, simplifying my swing. I think he showed me a more efficient way, and I thank him for that.”

“Ko and Oh shared an emotional moment after he helped her break through to win the Mediheal Championship at Lake Merced last year, ending Ko’s nearly two-year victory drought. They were both in tears hugging after she hit an epic 3-wood to 2 feet and made eagle to win on the first playoff hole. That’s also Ko’s last victory. She is defending that title without a coach this week.”

Full piece.

3. Moon landing

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard with this quote from Seth Waugh, PGA of America CEO…

“Obviously Tiger has impact, sort of the moon landing. It’s not golf; it’s where were you when, kind of stuff,” said Waugh of the PGA’s move to May on the PGA Tour calendar. “The impact immediately afterwards was extraordinary in terms of ticket sales.”

“We absolutely now know that the fan base will be cranked up and we hope that it will have the same effect that he had his first go-around on participation,” he said. “That’s really what we’re all about, and hopefully we can ride not only the wave and excitement about watching him play, but others wanting to play.”

Full piece.

4. Bulldozing for a cause

Bill Speros at Golfweek with a heckuva story…

“Chris Harris has spent a quarter of a century buying out each lot on a blighted and deserted city block at the near 41st Street and Wayne Ave. His goal was to clear the area and use the land for a “pitch-and-putt” course in the part of the city in which he was raised.”

“The home Harris grew up in was the final one standing. It was torn down Monday to make space for another green and six more tees at the Harris Park Sports and Activity Center.”

“Big Brothers, Big Sisters and The First Tee of Greater Kansas City have all worked with Harris to help him bring his dream of golf to the inner-city community.”

“I just felt like in the neighborhood, I didn’t have the opportunity to get up, come outside and play the game of golf,” Harris told WNEP. “I really do believe that if we have the opportunity in the neighborhood, there will be a lot more people playing the game of golf. I think golf is accessible to us as well. My goal is to make sure I come out here and take care of this golf course, make it beautiful. Make the beautification that helps the neighborhood, gives the kids another opportunity to get scholarships. It can open so many other doors along with other sports.”

Full piece.

5. TW (and other pros) offer uplifting messages…

Helen Ross at PGATour.com relays a touching story. And really, this stuff happens much more than we hear about with tour pros, but that doesn’t make it any less notable…

“Varner had asked Woods if he would send a message to encourage a childhood friend who is battling stage IV colon cancer. On Wednesday, the eve of the Masters, the video finally arrived.

“It’s just giving me chills right now just how it went down,” Varner said Tuesday before he headed out to practice in advance of the Wells Fargo Championship.

“Varner sent the video to his friend, Daniel Meggs, who played two years at Wake Forest and later found his calling as a teaching pro at TPC Piper Glen. He was, as you can imagine, thrilled by the message.”
“He sent the greatest reply ever — he said, ‘Well, I can die now,” Varner recalled. “We’re laughing. He’s like, ‘No, man, it’s really cool. I needed this.'”

Full piece.

It’s safe to say everyone in the golfverse sends their best wishes to Mr. Meggs (pictured above). Thoughts and prayers.

7. Rose failed to bloom

Justin Rose on how he prepared for Augusta (where he missed the cut) and alterations to pre-major work going forward…

Steve DiMeglio for Golfweek…”I got my preparation a little bit wrong,” said Rose, who stands at No. 2 in the world after Dustin Johnson reclaimed the top spot. “I took a month off in February and that was designed to really freshen me up going into Augusta and for the rest of the season. I came out of that month not playing as well as I would have hoped, and the Florida swing became a bit of a struggle and a bit of a grind.”

“I was always just sort of fighting my game a little bit, and then it’s like you’re sort of cramming for an exam,” Rose said. “I started to practice harder than I would have liked in the days leading up to Augusta.”

“It all felt like it was a really long run-up. I think by Tuesday I felt pretty good with my game and then by Thursday I tanked a little bit,” Rose said. “I think the flow of the run-up this year, the preparation didn’t really click. And because of that, you know, ultimately, I kind of burned out a little bit too quick.”

Full piece.

8. Am I too poor to play golf?

Brian Zimmerli (with Joel Beall) for Golf Digest…

“Eighty dollars is about the average weekend rate for the three public golf courses closest to me, one of which is a city-run venue. That’s just for the tee time; if I want to grab a hot dog and Coke at the turn, or a couple drinks after the round, add another $20. Forget hobby; at those prices, golf really is an addiction.”

“I have a stable income with my family’s business, and I’m good at it, too, recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40 in my industry. My wife has a steady job as well. At first glance, we shouldn’t have to think twice about our recreation budget. However, we own a home, have car and school payments, and are saving to start a family-realities most young couples face. That we reside in Connecticut, one of the most expensive states for living in the country, doesn’t help. In short, dropping $80 for 18 holes is a difficult decision for me.”

“And this…”Am I too poor to play golf? That’s not self-pity; my friends-all relatively in the same tax bracket-discuss it as well. I know I’m well off compared to a lot of people, but golf makes me question that.”

Full piece.

9. Harsh lessons

Cameron Morfit explores the lessons of losing on the PGA Tour…

“Tiger Woods made a quadruple-bogey 8 and four-putted on the way to losing the 1996 Quad City Classic (now the John Deere Classic) to rumpled journeyman Ed “The Grip” Fiori. This, after Woods had held the solo 54-hole lead.”

“Three weeks later, Woods got his first PGA TOUR win.”

“It should have come at Quad City,” he said after winning the Las Vegas Invitational, where in his fifth pro start he dispatched Davis Love III in a playoff. “I learned a lot from that.”

Full piece.

Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

21 mins 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.

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

2 days 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.