News
Bad Ball Costs Hayes His Tour Card
J.P. Hayes called foul on himself, and lost his full time job in the process. During first round play at the PGA Tour qualifying school his caddie flipped him a new ball on the par 3 12th hole. After missing the green, chipping onto the green, and marking his ball Mr. Hayes realized this was not the same model Titleist he’d started the round with that day.
J.P. Hayes called foul on himself, and lost his full time job in the process. During first round play at the PGA Tour qualifying school his caddie flipped him a new ball on the par 3 12th hole.
After missing the green, chipping onto the green, and marking his ball Mr. Hayes realized this was not the same model Titleist he’d started the round with that day. He called over an official and took a two shot penalty. The round ended with him shooting a 74, the next day he shot a 71 leaving himself with a good chance of reaching the final round of Q school and an opportunity to regain his playing privileges for 2009.
Back in the hotel that evening Mr. Hayes noticed that the ball he had used on the 12th hole of day one was a prototype Titleist not on the conforming ball list as approved for tournament play. Gulp. Swear. Smack forehead. Repeat Roberto deVicenzo’s famous "What a stupid I am". Call tour officials and hang self out to dry. "I pretty much knew at that point I was done." Which sums it up nicely.
What one does when no one is watching, when the opportunity to either do the right thing (or avoid doing the right thing) presents itself, is the truest test of character. Mr. Hayes stood up and did the right thing, something seldom seen in the world of professional sports, outside golf anyway. In fact it’s seldom seen in the world. Whether because it doesn’t happen much or because in the real non insular world nobody comments on the good things folks do regularly. I could be jaded as well. No, I am jaded as well, but that tangent is not one to follow at this time.
Mr. Hayes wants, nor will he get, any sympathy for his predicament. After all he did finish 178th on the money list this year, thus earning the trip to Q school in the first place. He’s won over $7 million in his career so losing a guaranteed spot on the PGA tour and having to play mostly Nationwide Tour events is not a hardship compared to me losing my job. Still, I find the honesty refreshing. "We don’t have refs on the course, so we have to call penalties on ourselves. I’ve done it before, dozens of guys have," Hayes said. "Just about everybody out there does, but usually we move on and nobody hears about it." Ah but we do hear about it. Can you see a defensive back in pro football calling interference on himself? Didn’t think so.
Mr. Hayes still figures to get a dozen or so starts on the PGA Tour next year so if he plays well he won’t be destitute. But still, the idea of opening the closed door and letting the truth out is a rare enough occurrence that applause seems necessary.
I salute J.P. Hayes. An honest man.
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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Juansky
Nov 24, 2008 at 11:51 am
It’s all about doing the right thing and not doing your own thing. Bless his heart, J.P. is a man with character.
Ben
Nov 23, 2008 at 1:33 am
I just hope that this serves as a positive example to all those who play the game. It sucks when you’re stuck playing with people who would opt to cheat just to say the shot a lower score than you. It’s great to see the people that we look up too and that play the at the pinnacle of the game also adhere to the highest of standards to set the example and lead the way.
Thanks!
Adam
Nov 22, 2008 at 12:54 pm
What a class move by J.P. He has his local support here in El Paso no matter what. Even though this is not a high point, it just goes to show what kind of game we all play and how great golf truly is. I know he will bounce back and get his card.
Mark
Nov 22, 2008 at 12:36 pm
This is one of the reason I love golf, the character of the game. Given all the garbage outside of golf, it is fitting for me to be involved in sport with so much integrity.
Ian Tessier
Nov 22, 2008 at 10:05 am
Wow, quite a story.
Is his caddy still employed? I would think he would check every aspect of his players bag prior to every round.
Congratulations to J.P. and thanks for making it cool to be honest.