News
‘Entirely driven by money’ – R&A Chief rips LIV Golf
On the eve of the final major of the year, R&A Chief Martin Slumbers has spoken out against the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf in an explosive presser.
Addressing the media on Wednesday morning, Slumbers stated that the breakaway tour is “not in the best interests of the sport” and “entirely driven by money.”
“I firmly believe that the existing golf ecosystem has successfully provided stable pathways for golfers to enter the sport and develop and realise their full potential.” said Slumbers.“Professional golfers are entitled to choose where they want to play and to accept the prize money that’s offered to them. I have absolutely with that at all.
“But there is no such thing as a free lunch. I believe the model that we’ve seen at Centurion and Pumpkin Ridge is not in the best long-term interests of the sport as a whole and is entirely driven by money. We believe it undermines the merit-based culture and the spirit of open competition that makes golf so special.”
The R&A Chief continued saying:
“I would also like to say that, in my opinion, the continued commentary that this is about ‘growing the game’ is just not credible and, if anything, is harming the perception of our sport, which we are working so hard to improve.
We believe the game needs to focus on increasing participation, achieving greater diversity and making sure that golf is truly open to all rather than this narrow debate involving a small number of players.”
Slumbers also stated that there is currently no intention to prevent LIV pros from competing at future Opens but hinted that they reserve the right to change the exemption and qualification rules.
“Looking ahead to The Open next year, we have been asked quite frequently about banning players. Let me be very clear. That’s not on our agenda. But what is on our agenda is that we will review our exemptions and qualifications criteria for The Open.
We will review our exemptions and qualifications criteria for the Open. We absolutely reserve the right to make changes.”
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!”
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.”
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!
- GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
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geohogan
Jul 14, 2022 at 8:31 pm
Liv pays for signing up, showing up…period.. NO CUT..
Essentially “participation trophies” …
R&A Chief, Martin was being polite(politically correct)
Essentially he said, “a whore is a whore.”
Bob
Jul 13, 2022 at 11:39 pm
Only gold and silver are money.
Fiat currency printed from nothing is not money.
BD57
Jul 13, 2022 at 7:16 pm
I have NO problem with that criticism.
LIV is essentially bringing a “professional sports” model to golf (guys have guaranteed contracts, they play the games scheduled by the league, there’s additional money for winning championships, etc.)
Granted, LIV pays a LOT more money for “winning” than guys in MLB/NFL/NHL/NBA get.
In the golf world, LIV is more akin to “exhibitions” than “golf tournaments / championships.”
It’s the “morality preening” by people who have no problem with tours playing events in Saudi (or the ‘not LIV’ tours playing events in Saudi), who have no problem with events in China (or taking Chinese money). If they don’t like human rights abusers, they ought to be after the PGA / DP Euro / LPGA tours for having anything whatsoever to do with China . . . .
but they don’t.
geohogan
Jul 14, 2022 at 8:27 pm
Liv pays for signing up, showing up…period.. NO CUT..
Essentially “participation trophies” …
R&A Chief, Martin was being polite(politically correct)
Essentially he said, “a whore is a whore.”
M’Balz is-Hari
Jul 13, 2022 at 10:48 am
Martin must hate the world. The world is driven by money. People work to obtain money legally and illegally. Some are gifted it, some steal it, some earn it. All these silver spoon jags keep arguing. These people have never had trouble paying a cell phone bill, utilities, a mortgage, or struggled to put food on a table. I’m just making a comparison as who knows the debt a typical professional golfer has compared to an average citizen. I’m sure the guys who jumped to LIV saw a smoother path financially for them and they’re families. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, and let’s not get into the blood money BS. It’s no different than getting dollars from China. Money is not the sole root to happiness, but if you don’t have it it’s sure a root to unhappiness. Enough is enough. All a bunch of whining silver spoon lickers.
Tom Kay
Jul 13, 2022 at 2:51 pm
Amen
Chuck
Jul 13, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Good. You’ve made your case; now I’ll make mine.
There’s absolutely nothing about the LIV Tour that represents anything like, hardscrabble work or a meritocracy or anything about growing the game of golf.
LIV is an invitation-only publicity stunt. Offering massive guaranteed money to a handful of guys who are golf stars entirely due to their now-fading careers on the PGA Tour. It’s exploiting the old credibility that they soaked up from years on the tours, and in USGA events, and in R&A events.
The “silver spoon jags” you ridicule — the PGA Tour, the USGA, the R&A — they have done about a hundred billion times more to preserve the game, organize the game, and GROW THE GAME. The USGA and the R&A do the thankless work of maintaining the Rules of Golf and the technical rules on equipment. And conducting national and international championships. To a great extent, even the PGA Tour has been a free-rider. But by any reasonable accounting, the undisputed champion free rider of this moment is the LIV Tour.
And as I have been cautioning for several weeks now; we have been in the most mild phase of the LIV debate so far. It’s going to go nuclear, and soon. As soon as the LIV Tour goes where the PGA of America and the PGA Tour and the R&A wisely declined to go; to Trump golf properties. The media circus associated with Trump venues is about to begin. And none of us should forget that the media circus is what the ruling bodies chose to avoid (for the good of the game) and what the LIV Tour chose to engage in (for the corrupt/Trump/Saudi interests).
You have no idea, how much I want this fight. Your post epitomized everything that I want to take on, in the most forceful and direct way possible.
Joe
Jul 13, 2022 at 5:48 pm
MBS is that you?