News

Open Season – The 139th Open Championship Is Upon Us

Published

16 years ago

Jul 13, 2010

Week to week on the PGA Tour or European Tour trying to pin down who might be the next winner is usually not a needle in a haystack situation. It can be fairly easy to see who is playing well and has both the confidence and ability to secure their next victory.

Majors though, they are another ball game altogether. The on-the-edge circumstances of course setup, major championship pressure and the spotlight of the world glaring down on you means just about anything can happen, and it usually does.

The 150^th Anniversary of The Open Championship again presents those tumultuous circumstances. The return the Old Course at St. Andrews always makes for a particularly special week and given the past winners of Opens at the site, Tiger Woods having won the last two, it sets the table of expectations for another monumental finish.

Part of those expectations is because of the course itself. Unlike some courses that place high demand on certain parts of a players game The Old Course nourishes and respects a golfer’s ability to manage their way around its links in any number of fashions. The weather often dictates the order of play and with wet weather expected early on in the week and heavy winds for the latter it could be a chaotic championship. As always your tee time draw may protect or you or simply kill your chances of stealing away the Claret Jug from the possession of 2009 Champion Golfer of The Year Stewart Cink.

It has been said by many but Tiger Woods assertion that, “to win at St. Andrews is the ultimate” does not fall on deaf ears. Golfers ‘round the world want to win The Open Championship and to do that at The Old Course makes your mark on the history of golf a permanent win.

Tiger himself will be looking to make history this week but winning three consecutive Open Championships held at St. Andrews. Despite his recent woes few in modern times have shown the ability needed to hit just about every shot possible, and necessary to win on The Old Course. Tiger’s record score of 19 under par in 2000 is testament to that. Armed with the knowledge gained from those wins and in an inspired setting it just might make the perfect setting for a return to major-winning form for Tiger. In interesting news he may have a new weapon to employ this week on the monstrous green surfaces of the Old Course that average some 20,000 square feet. Dating back to mid-November of last year Tiger got a Nike Method putter dialled in during a visit to the company’s R&D facility and that stick might just be in play this week. Of late, the short stick has been Tiger’s nemesis and based on use during practice rounds it looks like he might be ready to put a new wand into play.

World #2 Phil Mickelson would love to add a third different major to his resume and while his creativity plays into his favour at St. Andrews he will need to plot his way off the tee at the Old Course if he is to have any success. Mickelson says he finds St. Andrews “the most spiritual” of all the Open courses and believes it gives him the best opportunity to win an Open Championship. “You need to be able to hit the ball far to be able to take a lot of bunkers out of play. And hit it far to be able to go down opposite fairways and create an angle,” he is quoted as saying by Alan Fraser of the Daily Mail. That said weather conditions change so frequently in Scotland that those options might not be available each day. Unless Phil can show some flexibility in a game play (highly possible) that he might struggle as he has in past Old Course Open Championships. His best finish of an 11^ththere in 2000 does not make up for the 40^th placing in 1995 and the 60^th place showing in 2005.

My sleeper pick this week is Miguel Angel Jimenez. Opportunities for “The Mechanic” to win The Open grow slimmer each year and with his quality play of late and ability to hit the ball predictably off the tee he is a sure threat.

The only thing that may work against the older crowd this week, especially as rain and wind come into play; will be the course changes in play this year. Now playing to 7305 yards and to a par of 72 all players will have to take advantage of “The Loop” in the middle of the round before facing holes 13-17. Hole #14 now plays some 618 yards long while the balance of chatter will be sure to fall on The Road Hole, #17. A new tee both further back and on a sharper angle make an already tough hole and turn it into something of a meaner variety. Players will be best advised to find a way to traverse its 495 yards in no more than a bogey each day or they might see their Open dreams dashed on the spot.

There are few guarantees in The Open Championship; both the course and the weather can be hard to predict. One thing is certain though, just as in every year past when the championship has been held at St. Andrews, we are sure to have a compelling story lay out before us.

One that draws our eternal respect and appreciation.

This report provided to GolfWRX.com by Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

2 hours ago

Jun 11, 2026

Will Schube

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.”

News

Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

3 hours 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.