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Morning 9: PGA Tour looks to Nascar | NGF: Only 4 states’ courses remain closed | Pros want testing

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1. All PGA Tour eyes on Nascar restart? 
Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard...”Nascar engines will be roaring again May 17 in South Carolina. Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard writes the gaze of PGA Tour will be fixed on Darlington Raceway.”
  • “Similar to NASCAR, the Tour has been touted as an example of a sport with built-in social distancing, and during a recent conference call with circuit officials there was a high degree of confidence play could restart next month at Colonial.”
  • “NASCAR’s primary footprint will be its best advantage in blazing a trail back to competition. Like the first four Tour events, races will be run without fans and teams will be limited to 16 members including the driver, owner, spotter and crew chief. That adds up to 640 essential personnel not including league officials, media and the television broadcast crew.”
  • “Compared to the 288 Tour players and caddies (144-player field), an estimated 500 to 600 volunteers and a to-be-determined number of officials and media that will be needed to hold the first event at Colonial, the potential risk is exponentially higher for the Tour.”
2. Pros want testing in place
Golf Digest’s Ryan Herrington conveys the survey, as it were. Question: “Which of the following describes your attitude about returning to competition”
  • 51 percent of pros selected…” C) I am only willing to compete if there is a comprehensive testing plan in place at every event.”
  • “D) I am not willing to compete until a vaccine or major medical development is in place…Eighteen of the 35 players (51.4 percent) said they most closely identified with Answer C, which stipulated the need for comprehensive testing at every tournament.”
  • “Players, who were told they could answer anonymously, were also asked to elaborate further regarding their thinking. Some chose to go on the record while others asked for anonymity, but their responses help frame the issues many within golf are weighing as they contemplate a return to competition.”
3. NGF: Only four states remain closed to golf
Golfweek’s Jason Lusk…”The National Golf Foundation reported Friday that soon there will be only four states remaining that bar golf during the coronavirus pandemic.”
  • “Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont are the foursome where golf courses have been mandated to remain shut indefinitely during the pandemic. Alaska’s courses are closed because of seasonality.”
  • “Courses in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Mexico and Maine were allowed to reopen Friday, May 1. New Jersey plans to allow its courses to open May 2 and Washington’s courses can open May 5.”
  • “The NGF reported earlier this week that 58 percent of the courses in the U.S. were open as of April 26, many with social distancing restrictions and other precautions such as only online payment and making walking required to prevent the spread of the disease that has killed more than 64,000 Americans and more than 236,000 around the globe.”
4. Harding Park reopens
Via the Golf Channel Digital team…“The site of this year’s PGA Championship is set to reopen Monday….TPC Harding Park in San Francisco had been closed since March 16, when a shelter-in-place was put into effect for six Bay Area counties. While the order has since been extended, a recent addendum was made to allow golf courses to resume operations under social-distancing guidelines.
  • “We’re pleased to announce that we will be open to the public for golf beginning on Monday,” read an announcement on TPC Harding Park’s official Twitter page.”
5. Tour pipeline: clogged
Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…Though understandable, the 2020-21 mega-season is a frustrating scenario for the Korn Ferry Tour elite. Even in limited action, players like Davis Riley have shown they’re ready to make the leap but now will have to wait as various hangers-on get another year of Tour eligibility. If the Korn Ferry Tour players are able to restart June 11, in a new event at TPC Sawgrass’ Dye’s Valley Course, they’re expected to play 11 more events, with no breaks and seemingly no immediate reward. Instead of the top 25 graduating to the big leagues, only the top 10 will receive limited access to the 2020-21 PGA Tour (through opposite-field events and perhaps a few other weaker tournaments), and they’ll all have to wait another year for a full promotion. There is also the unsettling scenario that a player could be in position for a full card after 2020, only to hit a rough patch next year and fail to be one of the top 25 graduates. 
  • “…If the PGA Tour isn’t promoting or relegating players after this current season, then it’s reasonable to assume that the Korn Ferry Tour won’t, either. Which means that the other feeder tours in Latin America and Canada and China would have to be at a standstill, too…With Korn Ferry Tour Q-School already canceled for this year, the pipeline is clogged.”
6. Teed off
Bill Doyle, Worcester Telegram…”Gov. Charlie Baker has closed golf courses in Massachusetts as nonessential businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, but courses in neighboring Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine and New York are open.”
  • “Golf course owners in Massachusetts are teed off. Not only that, Baker signed an executive order on Friday that makes wearing face masks in public mandatory.”
  • “Heritage is located less than 10 miles from the Connecticut border and Plante said some of Heritage’s regular golfers are traveling south to play.”
  • “It’s not only frustrating,” said Bill Plante, owner of Heritage CC in Charlton, “but can someone tell me, ‘Is the air different in Connecticut than it is here?’ Because that’s what we’re treating it like.”
  • …”Plante said he hasn’t heard about anyone contracting the coronavirus by playing golf in Connecticut. He pointed out that the golf season in Massachusetts usually lasts only six months so courses will take a huge financial hit by closing for a month or two. Losing golf outings and weddings will hurt as well.”

 

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

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Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

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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.”

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Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

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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.”

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

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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.

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