When you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
If you didn't catch "Little Billy" grilling Rory McIlroy as part of the child actor's European Tour series, it's still a keeper.
Because it went viral and because of interest in Little Billy (currently playing a young Prince Charles in The Crown), the European Tour has produced a behind-the-scenes video:
Wired's Mark McClusky reviews Bob Parson's PXG clubs and comes away impressed by the irons, not so much by other clubs in the bag.
The story features an extensive look at how the clubs came together, what motivates Parson and how things have been going for the luxury upstart.
The company has grown to 70 people, and Parsons says the response has been beyond what he had hoped. He predicts that the company will finish the year at a $60 million annual run rate. The challenge will be to continue to innovate, and fight a market that’s usually driven by an annual set of new gear to entice golfers to spend more.
“We don’t have a product cycle,” says Parsons. “Our product cycle is that we have to make sure that we have breakthroughs in performance. When we do, we’ll release something new. Who knows when that will be with our irons?” Until then, he’ll sell the same model.
It's noteworthy that Parson cites the annual run rate while also putting down the concept of product cycles. I'm sure you money gurus out there can help us novices better understand his comments.
The story also features this put-down of the annual PGA Show.
“I don’t really compete with the other club companies,” he says. “They have a big trade show in Orlando each year, and we don’t go to that. We don’t go for the same reason that Ferrari doesn’t go to the Detroit Auto Show. They build the absolute best thing they can, and then put a price on it. We’re both in the luxury market.”
Golf.com is rolling out a story per day from their special tribute issue honoring Arnold Palmer, whose passing will be remembered as golf's defining moment of 2016.
This Q&A with longtime sidekick Doc Giffin suggests, as you'd expect, it's been tough without The King around.
In the days since Arnold's death, what has it been like in the office without him?
It's different. In the past, sometimes he'd beat us in. But in recent years, the staff—myself and three others—we'd be here ahead of him, and always anticipate him coming around the back of the building in his golf cart. He'd drive it down from the house at 10 or 10:30 and beep the horn when he was coming.
You miss the beep.
Yeah, I miss him coming into the office and saying, "Good morning! Well, what do you have for me today?" Miss the beep.
John Dorfman at Gurufocus.com notes Wally Uihlein's purchase of $1.19 million more of GOLF on November 2, adding to the CEO's initial holdings of Acushnet stock. This brought Uihlein's holdings to 702,196 shares with a $13.7 million valuation at Monday's closing price of $19.57 a share.
There was also this:
On the same day as Uihlein made his jumbo purchase, five other Acushnet insiders bought smaller amounts.
Such cluster buying is a good sign more often than not.
The stock has so far peaked at $21.57, with Monday's 2.3% rise helping to soften the blow of last Friday's 5.39% drop.
On IPO launch day, the site featured this Q&A with Acushnet COO David Maher. Gurufocus featured this breakdown of the initial stock purchases on November 2nd.
Yes, Saturday Night Live did their best two weeks ago to ruin the candle as a gift, even throwing in a little jab at 1980s music and hair to scare you into gifting something besides fine-smelling wax.
But let's ignore that classic bit of satire and focus on the product of 12-year-old, Shark Tank-inspired entrepreneur Lily Green. She has created a line of golf candles evoking scents based on the game, including a special edition sold by Seamus Golf, and her candles are all lovingly packaged with Josh Smith-art of Cabot Links' 16th hole.
So in maintaining the annual Christmas gift guide theme here, buy yourself a golf candle or be bold and gift a collection of candles at a better price. And support a young entrepreneur.
**Received my candles today and they get A+ on all fronts: packaging, scent and longevity. The fescue definitely stands out if you're looking to provide a golfer a distinctive gift.
As a few year-in-review stories pop up, Dottie Pepper's wrap for ESPN.com ably covers the highs and lows of the season.
Her effort to highlight the activity in Lydia Ko's golf life (firing caddy and instructor, equipment change coming) included this interesting bit related to the now-former teacher David Leadbetter.
Tournament time is when you put your work on auto pilot and play golf, not try to reinvent the wheel with a teacher stuck to you like cellophane. Leadbetter (and he's not alone in this) constantly shows up at the biggest events and is over-involved with the student, not just applying a bit of polish and a pop of confidence. I also found this particular case fascinating because Hogan was Lydia's day-to-day coach, not Leadbetter. But when the biggest events rolled around, Leadbetter was the one present.
Advice to Lydia: Take ownership of everything in your life and do your preparation in the quiet of your home, not in the public eye.
And Ko has, claiming the decision was hers, with consultation of her parents. Bailey Moisier reports for GolfChannel.com.
The FBI's on a roll.
David Purdum reports exclusively for ESPN.com that an FBI agent may have leaked word of an investigation into Phil Mickelson and Billy Walters to both the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Mickelson has since paid back "ill gotten gains" but will not be charged.
In the filing, the government reveals that an agent "admitted that he was a significant source of confidential information leaked to reporters at the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times about the underlying investigation."
"The agent further admitted that, prior to his Dec. 6 interview, he had hidden those communications with the press from both the USAO and others within the FBI," the letter, submitted by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, states. "Based upon the agent's admissions, which the USAO and the FBI regard with the utmost seriousness, it is now an incontrovertible fact that there were FBI leaks of confidential information to the press regarding this investigation."
The FBI also turned up at The Memorial in one of the more brazen efforts to force a witnesses hand.
While the kids love their compression shirts and pants, there is a reason most golfers are not flocking to some of the amazing tech fabrics on the market: they are too tight for golf.
There is a fine line between snug and cutting of circulation. Over five hours on the course, golfers need breathability, a little give, just enough support, and a layer that will cover their arms.
We used to have turtlenecks for that but I think most would rather suffer frostbite than join the fleeting movement to make them cool again.
That's why you should treat yourself to Athletes Collective's $25 Long Sleeve.
If you've heard me talk about them on ShackHouse, you know I love their stuff because it's logo-free, ridiculously-priced, well-made, great-fitting and perfect for many uses. I wear the large Long Sleeve for working out and the more snug medium as an undershirt to still freely hit a golf ball in.
So go to AthletesCollective.com and enter the promo code HOUSE to receive 15% off your first order. Throw in some gym shorts while you're at it. Or you can get three of the long sleeves for $66 thanks to their bundling option.
All orders include free shipping and returns to the US or Canada. And 100% satisfaction is guaranteed, as a few ShackHouse listeners have confirmed in emails reporting great follow up service from the AC folks.
I know what you're not thinking, last Christmas he said the ABC Pant is the greatest thing ever created. And now? I still think they are in spite of the steep price. Pure comfort, brilliance and ingenuity. 
But durability for golf?
That's where the ABC Pant may be imperfect. Not that I've found Lululemon's pants to fall apart, but I do wonder if they can handle the rigors of repeated use for a golfer.
It's that concern about durability that has warmed me to the merits of State Apparel's Fairway Pant as the better golf option. The combination of design cleverness, Made-in-California values and an overall stronger fabric makes them an ideal gift to yourself or a golfer.
When I first tried them on, State's heavier and tougher fabric seemed too weighty compared to the Lululemon's. But after trying them out on a course and twice at the range, I realize the toughness stitched into the slacks makes them a better long-term investment for golfers, especially younger players who are more active.
Initially the black, almost-velvet black lining of the pockets and cuffs struck me as an odd design touch. But remembering how quickly pockets turned dirty and frayed, the design touch adds a whiff of brilliance that makes you feel good putting on the slacks for golf.
You can read the State Apparel story here and here for the explanation about one last pre-shot wiping option. The $135 Fairway pant in white is found on their pants page.
Even better, as a courtesy, State Apparel is offering site readers a 30% discount using the code: HOLIDAYGOLF
Nothing about this looks natural...yet I feel it still needs thought bubbles.
Welcome to Team @BridgestoneGolf @TigerWoods. Agreed - the ball is the most important item in the bag! #bestballever https://t.co/OoCTsWUzCU pic.twitter.com/3lwWDGwW5F
— Brandt Snedeker (@BrandtSnedeker) December 15, 2016
We had an inkling on Seminole, but the Cypress Point announcement is wonderful news. Though I can't fathom how either course will be very testing given their lack of length, unless everyone's ok with lots of driveable par-fours?
The Walker Cup is played at Los Angeles Country Club's North Course in 2017. Tickets are now on sale for that event and a rare chance to watch competitive golf (big bias here) played over an architectural treasure.
USGA ANNOUNCES 2021 AND 2025 WALKER CUP MATCH SITES
Seminole Golf Club and Cypress Point Club Will Host Biennial Team Competition
FAR HILLS, N.J. (Dec. 15, 2016) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced Seminole Golf Club, in Juno Beach, Fla., and Cypress Point Club, in Pebble Beach, Calif., as the host sites for the 2021 Walker Cup Match and 2025 Walker Cup Match, respectively.
The 48th Walker Cup Match is scheduled for May 8-9, 2021. It will mark the first time that the biennial team competition between 10 amateur players representing the United States and 10 amateur players representing Great Britain and Ireland will be held in the spring on U.S. soil. The dates of the 50th Walker Cup Match are Sept. 6-7, 2025. The international competition will return to Cypress Point for the first time since 1981, the club’s only previous USGA competition.
“The selections of Seminole Golf Club and Cypress Point Club as Walker Cup venues are emblematic of what George Herbert Walker intended when he helped create the first Match in 1922,” said Stuart Francis, USGA Championship Committee chairman. “To have two of the United States’ greatest courses as host sites will not only produce memorable competitions but reinforces the stature of amateur golf in this country.”
Seminole Golf Club will host its first USGA event and the first Walker Cup Match in the state of Florida. The course was designed by Donald Ross and opened for play in 1929. The course’s routing encompasses two dune ridges, one that peaks to the west and another along the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Members have included U.S. presidents, business and industry leaders and golf elite. Ben Hogan, a four-time U.S. Open champion, practiced and played there, while Henry Picard, who won two major professional titles, served as club professional for 26 years.
Seminole Golf Club has also been a friend to amateur golf and annually hosts the George L. Coleman Invitational. USGA champions and USA Walker Cup Team members Michael McCoy (2015) and Tim Jackson (1995, 1999) are recent Coleman champions.
“Seminole Golf Club is honored to host the 2021 Walker Cup Match and the best amateur players from both sides of the Atlantic,” said Jimmy Dunne, club president. “The club and its membership are proud to showcase Donald Ross’ architectural masterpiece to a worldwide audience.”
Cypress Point Club was designed by Alister MacKenzie in collaboration with Robert Hunter and opened for play in 1929. Beginning in coastal dunes, the course then enters the Del Monte Forest before remerging to rocky coastline along the Pacific Ocean. In addition to the 28th Walker Cup, the club hosted “The Match,” a 1956 four-ball competition between professionals Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson and amateurs Ken Venturi and Harvie Ward, and was one of three courses used for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am for more than 40 years.
The Walker Cup Match will be held in California for the third time and west of the Mississippi River for the fifth time. In 1981 at Cypress Point, the USA defeated Great Britain and Ireland, 15-9. Jodie Mudd, a two-time USGA champion, and Corey Pavin, who went on to win the 1995 U.S. Open, were the USA’s top point producers. GB&I’s Roger Chapman, the 2012 U.S. Senior Open winner, won twice in singles play and one foursomes match.
“The members of the Cypress Point Club are honored to give back to the game of golf and share our wonderful treasure with one of the world’s greatest amateur competitions,” said Peter K. Barker, club president. “We have been proud to host a number of notable match-play events throughout our club’s history. In all, the course and the competitors performed superbly. We enthusiastically look forward to the 2025 Walker Cup.”
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.
