Just a couple of weeks remain until the U.S. Amateur Final Qualifier at Emerald Valley in Creswell, Oregon. I finally received word on Wednesday about my qualifying site. Usually, your first choice is selected if you advance, but it’s always nice to see it confirmed.

With a fair bit of travel lately and some golf mixed in, my tournament prep hasn’t been as consistent as usual. Still, I’ve managed to get a few rounds in, maintain my feel, and work on my drills whenever possible. The foundation is there; now it’s just about sharpening up, especially when it comes to the “15th club”—the mental game. That will be crucial on July 14th for the Qualifier.

Since the June 1st qualifier, my golf has been a mixed bag. Scores have hovered around par, sometimes dipping a couple under, despite some sloppy drives and approach shots. Technically, the results are decent considering my ball-striking, but the consistency hasn’t been there.

So, what to do with middling scores and hard work not quite translating to great results? I reached out to my friend Anton Underwood, assistant pro at Manito Country Club, who’s both a skilled player and an up-and-coming coach in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve played plenty of golf over the past six years, so he knows my tendencies well. I described some of the misses in my swing, suspecting a mechanical issue. Turns out, it was about process: pre-shot routine, commitment, and alignment. Anton noticed I wasn’t truly setting up to a target—something I realized was true as soon as he mentioned it. We worked on “hitting it through the gate” right in front of the ball, bringing focus back to fundamentals.

The second piece of the puzzle lately has been my putting. It’s been decent but unspectacular. I’ve started emphasizing speed control, intention on the line, and, most importantly, process. That led me to experiment with a putter combine. My friend Jason Welty helped by filming at 120 frames per second and marking a line on the ball to analyze the roll. After testing different putters and tweaking with lead tape, the Futura 6M is back in my bag. I’ve used this putter on and off since 2018, and the decision came down to video feedback, feel, and years of experience—with a little input from my buddies, of course. Talking gear with friends is always a highlight.

So, with all of the tinkering over the last few months, the bag is set and it’s getting closer to compete.

Winner of the personal putting combine. The Futura 6M. Been in the bag since 2018 off and on. Now it’s back.

Recent putter since May. The Phantom 5.

The Newport 2+, another contender. But will remain in the rotation.

In our forums, GolfWRX members are revisiting pace of play, but this thread is not just another “play faster” rant. Member A.Princey framed the topic as a middle-ground discussion: quick rounds are great when the course allows it, but golfers should not turn the day into a race track or pressure others into rushing.

@A.Princey’s list focused on being ready when it is your turn, watching tee shots to help find balls, letting faster groups through only when there is open course ahead and helping the group keep up while avoiding lectures and unrealistic expectations.

Members added several practical layers:

• @Bonneville85308 said players who do not want to play in under four hours should avoid booking the first few tee times of the morning, which are often unofficially reserved for the fastest groups.
• @Greenie said he does not get upset at a group ahead if there is nowhere for them to go, but added that ready golf matters when the course is moving.
• @596 pushed back on reading body language too quickly, noting that hands-on-hips does not always mean impatience.
• @ShortGolfer offered practical ways to keep moving, including being ready near the forward tees and making smart choices when a hole goes sideways.
• @parbung added a simple but useful pace tip: go to your own ball and watch other shots from there instead of having everyone stand in one place.

Entire thread: Play fast…

Join the GolfWRX forums today.

The latest Club Junkie Podcast is packed with some of the hottest gear in golf. Brian takes an in depth look at the new LAB Golf VZN.1i putter, breaking down how it performs on the course, who it fits best, and whether the latest zero torque design lives up to the hype.

Then it’s over to the PGA Tour for a look at the latest equipment spotted at the 2026 John Deere Classic. Rickie Fowler has several intriguing prototype putters in testing, including some unique Cameron creations, and Brian shares his thoughts on them. Plus, get a first look at the new Project X Titan Green “Hulk” wood shaft, the lowest launching and lowest spinning model in the Titan lineup built for the fastest swingers in the game.

If you’re into putters, prototype gear, tour equipment, and honest golf club reviews, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Subscribe to Club Junkie for weekly golf equipment reviews, tour gear news, interviews with the biggest names in the industry, and the latest club fitting insights.