Opinion & Analysis

McIlroy Presents New Ways to Tackle Practice

Published

13 years ago

Jun 28, 2013

The European Tour brings you the latest and greatest in golfing competition, and its name is Jeff.

In a video posted Thursday, Rory McIlroy went up against a Golf Laboratory Computer Controlled Hitting Machine (aka Jeff) to see who could hit a the ball into a washing machine first. Yes, this is odd. But, when you are a golf phenom anything is possible.

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This isn’t the first time McIlroy has entertained off the golf course. His videos for Nike Golf, the Santander Group and now the European Tour have all sparked public interest. With more than 1.5 million followers on Twitter, he is surely doing something right both on and off the course.

But, he isn’t the only golfer showing his talents away from the traditional round of golf. Nearly every golfer remembers a time when he would go to the driving range with a bucket in hand and use up all the balls trying to hit the range cart.

Well, this trying to hit the ball into a washing machine seems like a break from the tedious nature of trying to sink the ball into the same 4.25-inch cup.

Naturally, in this situation, the next question is “What else can I hit golf balls into beside a cup that never moves?” Some of the stars of the European Tour have shown us just this in a series of videos that are sure to inspire thinking of new and innovating places to aim your golf ball.

Video 1: Ball Collector

Yes, this video shows what is probably the ball boy’s worst day on the range.

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Video 2: The Clay Pigeon Golf Shot

If the golf ball collector was too easy to hit (which it never is), the clay pigeon is sure to present a tougher challenge!

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Video 3: The 200-yard Gong Shot

This video is sure to spark a few lost balls in the nearest lake.

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Video 4: The Gunpowder Golf Shot

This video needs no explanation — don’t try this at home.

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Does hitting at a moving or obscure target have any use if golf? Yes! The ability to control ball flight in the air and to pick out a target 200-plus yards away is what we are all looking to do when we play, right?

Instead of practicing the same old shot after shot on the driving range, these videos give us something new to try, something fun and exciting. So congratulations is in order for the European Tour players and their staggering ability to show us how good they really are.

Should a washing machine or other unusual target present itself on the 18th green, McIlroy and company will know where to aim.

Opinion & Analysis

AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience

Published

6 days ago

Jun 5, 2026

Andrew Von Lossow

This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.

I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.

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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.

With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.

Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!

Club Junkie

Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast

Published

7 days ago

Jun 4, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.

Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.

If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.

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Club Junkie

Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie

Published

2 weeks ago

May 28, 2026

Brian Knudson

On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.

I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.