News

Morning 9: Unique Masters coverage ahead | Tiger’s first Masters caddie | Ridley: Distance gains not good for Masters

Published

6 years ago

Nov 12, 2020

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt

Email me at [email protected]; and find me on Twitter and Instagram.

November 12, 2020

Good Masters Thursday morning, golf fans.

1 Unique Masters coverage cometh

Wynston Wilcox for the Augusta Chronicle… “With no patrons hustling around the course, following their favorite golfers and filling Augusta National Golf Club with the roars prompted by a beautiful chip, hole-in-one or eagle putt, CBS announced plans to experiment with camera angles it wouldn’t have been able to provide.

“Right now, we’re still working on it,” said Lance Barrow, coordinating producer for golf on CBS.”

“He added that they will “try some shots between now and Thursday,” and make a “game-time” decision on whether to send them live. He also said they are experimenting with live drones in the practices rounds and could utilize those as well.”

Full piece.

2. Young guns….

FiveThirtyEight’s Josh Planos…”There are few sporting events as resolutely American as the Masters Tournament, a weeklong devotional to piano-tickled marketing materials, polo-and-khaki ensembles and high-definition flora. If the 2019 Masters gave us an opportunity for apex patriotism, with Tiger Woods completing the ultimate comeback with a win amid the Georgia pines, the 2020 Masters should feature encore potential with plenty of red, white and blue atop the leaderboard. All but four of the current top 15 golfers in the world were born in the U.S., which is unusual enough on its own. But the Americans are also skewing young: Seven of the 111 are under the age of 30. From 2000 to 2019, there was an average of only two under-30 American golfers entering Masters week ranked in the top 15.”

Full piece.

3. Augusta weather check

Brendan Porath writing for the Gray Lady herself!…”For all the concerns about a frigid Masters, temperatures should approximate April with forecasts of highs in the upper 70s and lows in the 60s throughout the weekend. Warming up for a round in benign early morning temperatures should come as a relief to the fused back of the 44-year-old defending champion.”

“Instead, thunderstorms will likely be a far greater threat than the temperature. Players said the course appeared to be playing longer and that chipping around the greens could be impacted if rain rolls across Augusta. But turfgrass experts said the greens, notoriously speedy, tricky and maintained to the point of obsession, should play similarly to April.”

“That place is as different as any other course in the world,” said Gerald Henry, a turfgrass management professor at the University of Georgia. “The pressures that I’d explain that are happening at your local golf course just don’t exist out there — and that’s intentional, obviously.”

Full piece.

4. Rory McIlroy knows the fact that he should win a Masters isn’t helping him win one

BBC report…”When asked about those comments, world number five McIlroy replied: “I’d like to think so but nothing’s given in this game. You have to go out and earn it. You can’t just rely on people saying that you’re going to win one. Greg Norman never did. Ernie Els never did. There are a lot of great people that have played this game that have never won a Green Jacket. It’s not a foregone conclusion, and I know that. I have to go out and earn it and play good golf.”

Full piece.

5. Tiger’s first Masters caddie

Excellent writing from Ian O’Conner, who begins impactfully…”Tommy Bennett did not want to caddie for Tiger Woods at the 1995 Masters.”

“I didn’t want no damn amateur,” he recalls. “I wanted that green jacket.”

“He wanted to carry for Dicky Pride, a promising young pro who had won a PGA Tour event the previous summer in Memphis, Tennessee. But Pride’s sponsor preferred a different man on his bag, and so did Jack Stephens, the investment banking magnate who was the chair of Augusta National Golf Club. Twenty years after Lee Elder had become the first African American invited to play the Masters, and five years after the club had accepted its first African-American member, Stephens knew that Woods was primed to become the game’s first Black megastar. Like Earl Woods, Tiger’s father, and Butch Harmon, Tiger’s coach, Stephens wanted to assign the rookie a tour caddie who knew his way around.”

Full piece.

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6. David Duval positive for COVID-19

The Augusta Chronicle’s Jason Lusk…”David Duval, the former World No. 1 golfer and now a broadcaster with Golf Channel, will miss this week’s Masters after having tested positive for COVID-19. After testing positive on his way to Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, the 49-year-old television analyst returned to his home in Denver.I’m so sad not being a part of the Masters coverage this week,” Duval said Tuesday night on Twitter. “I flew to Atlanta and drove to Augusta Sunday. I went straight to the testing site and got tested. Like so many other Americans I was apparently unknowingly exposed to COVID and tested positive. … “As of now I have no symptoms. I drove home straight thru the night and am in quarantine in my basement.”

Full Piece

7. Ridley: Distance gains not good for Masters

Rex Hoggard for Golf Channel…“I think we are at a crossroads as relates to this issue,” Ridley said. “I do think that we’re coming closer to a call to action.”

“Ridley didn’t offer any details on what that action might be, although he did reference a report on distance that is scheduled to be published next year. He added that the club is reluctant at this moment to start any major changes, like in 2002 and ’06, that dramatically lengthened the course. But he also didn’t dismiss the option.”

“As it relates to our golf course, we have options, and we will take the necessary action to make sure we stay relevant,” he said.”

Full Piece

8. “Finally changing”

Christine Brennan for Golfweek…”For several generations, the white men who ran the club either forgot, ignored or willfully disregarded the vastness of their responsibilities, other than to do a bang-up job of encouraging more white men to play golf.”

“But over the past couple of years, and especially in 2020, current events have conspired with the more open-minded younger men now leading the club to begin to make amends.”

“In 2018, in his first Masters press conference as the club’s new chairman, Fred Ridley stunningly announced that the club was going to hold an annual women’s amateur championship right before the Masters.”

“Just this week, Ridley announced the following: Lee Elder, who became the first Black man to play in the Masters in 1975, will be an honorary starter with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player at the 2021 tournament; the club will fund a women’s golf program at Paine College, an historically Black college in Augusta, and endow scholarships for male and female golfers at the school in Elder’s name”

Full Piece

9. Dustin Johnson: Lover of Masters sandwiches

Golf Digest’s Mercer Baggs…”The Masters Tournament has more traditions than you can count, so it might be difficult for someone to name a favorite.”

“Unless you’re Dustin Johnson.”

“I don’t know if it’s really a tradition, but my favorite thing about the Masters is the sandwiches,” said the current world No. 1.

“Which sandwich?”

“All of them.”

Full Piece

News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

14 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

14 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

3 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.