Author: News Room
Ohoopee Match Club, located in Cobbtown, Georgia, was first examined by renowned golf course architect Gil Hanse in 2006. The site was deemed ideal for golf due to its gently rolling terrain, sandy soil deposited by the nearby Ohoopee River, and perfect drainage conditions. The area around Cobbtown is known for growing onions, as it is located near Vidalia, famous for Vidalia onions. The club’s logo features a freshly picked onion with roots resembling three snakes, although the symbolism is unclear. The design of the 7,325-yard championship course at Ohoopee does not follow traditional match play course composition. Instead of…
Gap wedges are often overshadowed by lob and sand wedges in the world of golf equipment, but they play a crucial role in a golfer’s bag. These clubs act as a second pitching wedge and are primarily used for full-swing shots. To be effective, a gap wedge requires a different design than higher lofted wedges. They often have narrower, deeper grooves that provide plenty of grab without causing the ball to spin back too aggressively. Differing wall angles on the grooves and loft-dependent face finishes also contribute to the wedge’s overall performance. In addition to groove design, shape also plays…
Forgiveness in golf can mean different things to different people, whether it’s lower handicappers needing a mis-hit to still find the green or less skilled players making their worst shots less terrible. This concept is reflected in the most forgiving irons from this year’s Golf Digest Hot List, ranked by handicap groups. Manufacturers are incorporating features like softened leading edges, tungsten weighting, thin faces, and large soles to help players keep balls in play and avoid trouble when they miss the clubface. These irons offer forgiveness for golfers’ mistakes on the course. Among the forgiving irons featured on the Hot…
When it comes to the best-looking hybrids in golf clubs, the most important factor that stands out is the element of confidence it provides to the player. As a club that replaces the challenging long irons, a hybrid that instills positive feelings in the golfer before the swing can greatly impact their performance on the course. The Golf Digest Hot List Summit gathered feedback from 32 players who emphasized the significance of confidence when selecting a hybrid club. In rating clubs based on the Look/Sound/Feel criterion, players are asked to assess the Look of the club before actually hitting it.…
The Golf Digest Hot List features a mix of objective and subjective information, with criteria such as “Look” being open to individual interpretation. However, when it comes to factors like feel, golfers tend to have more uniform opinions. Achieving a soft feel in a club depends on the construction, with single-piece forging being easier to achieve compared to thin-faced or hollow body irons. Club designers use technology like badges or thermoplastic urethane to dampen vibrations and deliver a pleasant impact sensation that resonates with all golfers. This year’s Hot List features irons that have taken softness to a new level,…
Drivers are an essential part of a golfer’s game, but many average golfers struggle with hitting the ball too low off the tee. This issue can stem from a lack of proper fitting for their current driver, leading to launch angles that are too low. Launch angle, the degree the ball launches above the horizontal plane before being hit, is crucial for optimizing total distance, especially for golfers with swing speeds below 120 miles per hour. A recent Golf Digest test revealed that over a third of average golfers had launch angles of less than 11 degrees, indicating a need…
When looking for a new club, the first thing you typically do is put it in the address position, waggle it a few times and react. Sometimes, you may quickly realize that a club is not for you based on its appearance. However, more often than not, the reaction to a new club ranges from acceptable to “Man, I have to hit this!” This initial reaction can vary depending on the player and the club being ogled, as what looks good is truly subjective. At the 2024 Golf Digest Hot List Summit, a panel of 32 players rated each club…
When it comes to putters, weight is a crucial factor that can greatly impact a player’s performance on the green. Typically, putters have a head weight in the range of 345-365 grams, along with a standard shaft and grip weight. However, for players at the Hot List, the focus is more on the feel of the putter in hand rather than the actual weight in grams or ounces. This feel, known as “heft,” is determined by various factors such as swing weight, balance point, and overall stability during the stroke. To assess the heft of each putter, players at the…
Rory McIlroy recently made headlines as he reaffirmed his commitment to playing on the PGA Tour for the rest of his career. Not only did he dismiss rumors of joining the LIV Golf league, but he also returned to the PGA Tour’s Policy Board. According to The Guardian, McIlroy is expected to rejoin the board as a director for both the Policy Board and PGA Tour Enterprises in place of Webb Simpson, who resigned and suggested McIlroy as his replacement. This move comes at a crucial time for the PGA Tour as they navigate a new business partnership with the…
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans has become known as one of the PGA Tour’s unique events since switching to a team format in 2017. It is a tournament where unexpected faces often appear, such as the duo of David Duval and John Daly who finished dead last by 12 shots in a previous year. Another surprising pairing was Michael Thompson with a 43-year-old Army veteran who struggled to make cuts on the GPro Tour. PGA Tour pros who qualify for the event can partner with anyone with tour status or a sponsor’s exemption, leading to some interesting pairings. One…
## Charlie Woods Competes in U.S. Open Qualifier Two months after his high-profile golf qualifying experience, Charlie Woods, the 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods, is set to participate in another one this week. Charlie is scheduled to compete in the Florida Golf Association’s local qualifying event in Port St. Lucie, Fla., with hopes of advancing to the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina. This will be Charlie’s first attempt at U.S. Open qualifying, adding to the excitement surrounding his budding golf career. ## 84 Players Set to Compete at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club The field…
**Charlie Woods Enters Second High-Profile Golf Qualifying Event** Two months after Charlie Woods made headlines for his high-profile golf qualifying experience, the 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods is back at it again. This time, Charlie is entered into the Florida Golf Association’s tee sheet for Thursday’s first stage of 18-hole local qualifying in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The top scorers in this event will advance to the 36-hole final qualifying to potentially reach June’s 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina. This event marks Charlie’s first attempt at U.S. Open qualifying. **Legacy Golf & Tennis Club Field…