Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2023 i Golf Magazine

From the Editor I LOVE THE U.S. OPEN. Our national championship. It's an event where not only the best players in the world, regardless of tour affiliation, compete, but also almost anyone can throw their hat in the ring in an attempt to bring home the trophy. As has been the case for the past several years, the USGA received a record number of qualified applicants for the 2023 Open—10,187 to be exact. While this guy's money is on Jon Rahm, the guy on this issue's cover, I want to say, Good luck to everyone. I not only love the U.S. Open, I love Los Angeles too—my former home and, of course, the host of this year's competition. I spent close to 40 years on the left coast and now—gulp—17…

Clubhouse GOLF.COM / SMART GOLF STARTS HERE / JUNE 2023 Up Close with Dylan Dethier ON THE CLUBHOUSE PATIO AT HARBOUR TOWN, FIVE DAYS BEFORE FITZPATRICK'S WIN AT THE RBC HERITAGE Dylan Dethier: You're the defending champion at this year's U.S. Open. How has life changed since last June? Matt Fitzpatrick: It's changed a lot, yeah. I think the biggest thing is just people ask for more of my time. Sponsors ask for more of it, tournaments ask for more of it. There's more media interviews. But, on the whole, it just feels like I've got to be better with my time management. DD: Well, thanks for saying yes to this. Does the media stuff come naturally to you? MF: I've never had any media training or anything. I don't think…

LUKE CARTER GREW UP wanting to be a golfer, not a golf data scientist. But he was smart enough to know that getting to a zero handicap—which he did—wasn't up to scratch for getting a tour card. Still wanting a career in the field, he studied Sports Technology at England's Loughborough University, spent a year interning as a project engineer at PING, then finished his degree and found a dream job as a quantitative analyst for the London-based sports analytics firm now known as Twenty First Group—which has since played a part in some major triumphs. (How big a part? They could probably define it within +/– 1 percent.) Here's his take on the exploding field of data-driven golf analytics and coaching. Q: How do data coaches work with pro golfers?…

23 Items in Max Homa's bag, including one adorable driver cover 14 Sure-to-please gifts for dear old Dad on his special day SRIXON. Looks like a useful word in Scrabble—except no proper nouns are allowed, and most golfers at least reasonably conversant in equipment know it as the name of a well-regarded, if not always well-understood, brand. You don't count nine major champions among your Tour endorsers—for those keeping score at home: Hideki Matsuyama, Shane Lowry, Brooks Koepka, Graeme McDowell, Keegan Bradley, Ernie Els, Minjee Lee, Hannah Green and Inbee Park—unless you produce seriously high-quality clubs, balls and accessories. But who, exactly, is Srixon? Srixon is a Japanese sports equipment brand owned by Sumitomo Rubber Industries under the umbrella of subsidiary SRI Sports Limited. (Hence the Sri; the x not…

THE U.S. OPEN PREVIEW / 2023 The U.S. Open's June return marks its first stop in Los Angeles in 75 years. But the U.S. Open isn't just in Los Angeles. The U.S. Open is Los Angeles. This is the City of Dreams and the City of Broken Dreams, where starry-eyed hopefuls have flocked for decades, ignoring incredibly long odds to chase even the briefest moment in the spotlight. It's unlikely coincidental that this year's Open set a record for entries. A remarkable 10,187 golfers signed up for a chance to compete in the national championship—this author included—thinking optimistic thoughts and visualizing procaliber golf shots, one after the next after the next, all the way to LACC. “In Los Angeles,” Denzel Washington once said, “everyone is a star.” Jack Kerouac called…

There were some omens that week— some mystical stuff happening. Before a practice round, I found a letter in my locker—no name or return address. It said, “You're gonna win the U.S. Open.” Later, a women came up to me and said, “I predict things, and I'm never wrong. You're gonna win the U.S. Open.” Then comes Saturday. I was six over through eight holes. That lady? I went looking for her. I wanted to tell her, “You were wrong! I've blown it!” I was really disappointed that Sunday morning. I was six strokes back and looking at names like Weiskopf, Boros, Nicklaus, Player, Palmer and Trevino on the leaderboard. I had no chance. But, on the range, I heard this voice say, “Open your stance way up.” The voice…

GOLF magazine's inaugural ranking of the finest courses in Asia-Pacific is long overdue. Not only does the region boast an eclectic mix of architecture, it's also home to some of the finest tracks built this century. To say the course-building business in the lands where the sun rises first is booming would be an understatement. Australia scored big, placing 38 courses in our ranking. And it's no surprise that the West Course at Royal Melbourne finished in the top spot—it has, after all, held the top spot in the Southern Hemisphere ever since we started doing world rankings four decades ago. Having said that, its margin of victory over Kingston Heath (No. 2), a world-class course in its own right, was impressive, as it finished more than six points (!)…

Jon Rahm's win at the Masters with a low-spin Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond was just the latest highlight for one of the hottest drivers on the planet. Much of Paradym's success can be attributed to an innovative 360-degree carbon chassis that eliminates any titanium from the body to push mass to where it can best help the target player. The lightweight body is paired with an A.I.-designed Jailbreak system to further enhance stability and, more importantly, tighten downrange dispersion. All three models (Paradym, Paradym Triple Diamond and Paradym X) earned high marks during our latest round of robotic testing. Paradym X, which is designed with high launch and max forgiveness, had the tightest dispersion of any driver we tested. All three models also saw a 1 mph increase in ball…

35 Total putts by champion Matt Fitzpatrick in the 2022 U.S. Open final round, tied for the highest number on the day. (SOURCE: BOSTON GLOBE) 17 GREENS HIT IN REGULATION BY FITZPATRICK THAT SUNDAY, THE MOST OF ANY ONE IN ANY ROUND THAT WEEK AT BROOKLINE. (SOURCE: BOSTON GLOBE) Elite Winners Each of the last dozen U.S. Open champs have come from inside the OWGR top 30 with an average ranking of 12.4. World No. 1 has not won the U.S. Open since Tiger Woods in 2008. STROKES UNDER PAR FOR THE WINNER, ON AVERAGE, OF THE U.S. OPEN SINCE 2000. I T ' S THE ONLY MAJOR WITH AN AVERAGE WINNING SCORE OF L ESS THAN 1 0 UNDER IN THAT SPAN. (SOURCE: JUSTIN RAY) 4.5 61 LACC North…

You can make the sweetest swing and catch the ball dead center, but if there's mud or sand or any other debris on the face, there's no telling what your shot is going to do. To prevent such disasters, grab yourself a mini G ($20). The lightweight club cleaner features many of the things you love about its bigger, face-scouring sibling, the Grooveit brush—only it's smaller. And less wet. The mini G operates as a dry scrubber, whereas the full-size Grooveit holds water. But the mini G still has heavy-duty nylon bristles and a magnetic securing system that attaches to your bag. And it gets the cleaning job done. The rest is up to you. Scan this code to head over to GOLF's retail partner Fairway Jockey to shop the…

THERE ARE LIKELY few golfers without a wrench or two rattling around in the bottom of their golf bag. But I'd bet, in most cases, those wrenches are simply forgotten plastic accessories that you may or may not be using to adjust your driver or fairway woods. Now, just as they have with their supercool signature club covers, bags, ball markers and other merch, Seamus Golf is looking to change the way golfers think about this tool. Like all their accessories, this heirloom-quality Hand Forged Crank ($145; seamusgolf.com) is manufactured in the company's Portland, Ore., shop and made individually, relying on age-old forging techniques. The crank is compatible with all major manufacturers' adjustable clubs. Now you can own a head-turning wrench just as unique as your customfit driver.…

GOLF STAFF Picks Pinned Golf Prism $230 Performance is the first thing to consider when deciding on a rangefinder. The Prism features a high level of accuracy without the high price tag. It comes in a rainbow of colors to better jibe with Dad's bespoke headcovers, towel and bag. A run-of-the-mill gray GPS—puh-lease. The Prism edges out its competitors thanks to its six color offerings. Now Dad can be confident that his rangefinder is always right and handsome. Just like he is. Shot Scope V3 GPS Watch $200 If your dad loves his tech toys, this is the gift for him. Shot Scope's V3 GPS watch shows each shot's distance as well as carry distances to the front, back and middle of the green, plus hazards. It can record every…

POWERED BY DEWAR'S® THE U.S. OPEN PREVIEW / 2023 POWERED BY DEWAR'S® LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! WITH THE U.S. OPEN HEADED TO LOS ANGELES— TINSELTOWN, LA-LALAND, HOLLYWOOD, BABY!—LET'S TURN A LENS ON THE LOCAL GOLF SCENE. Like so much in this city, it can bedazzle, the sparkle of its courses matched by the star power of those who play them. L.A. golf is Riviera, gilded Golden Age design, Tiger-hosted Tour stop, home course to Larry David and Adam Sandler. It is Jason Bateman and Chris O'Donnell clinking post-round cocktails with Dennis Quaid on the sun-splashed veranda of Bel-Air Country Club. L.A. golf is Justin Timberlake, Jack Nicholson, Joe Pesci. It is Brentwood and Hillcrest, Lakeside and Sherwood. It is Will Farrell hosting a hit-and-giggle at Wilshire Country Club, and also Mark…

The comedian Martin Mull once famously quipped that Hollywood is “like high school with money.” To that we might add, “with loads of recess too.” But deep pockets and time don't tell the whole story. Why do so many celebrities take to the links? Because, the son of a famous film star observed, “[there's] no way anyone [can] get out there to bother them!” Dating back a century, the array of celebs in search of privacy has included Bogart, Eastwood, Wahlberg and Sinatra. Hmm. May that foursome be with you. Fore, please!…

POWERED BY DEWAR'S® Despite the many sobriquets assigned him by the press during his peak years as a player, Ben Hogan was a half inch taller than the average U.S. male at the time (five foot eight and a half inches). He was, however, noticeably leaner than most and described variously by newspapermen as “the tiny Texan,” “golf 's mighty mite,” “little” and “wee.” Owing to the singular intensity with which he pursued the game, he was also said to possess the “eyes and nerve of a professional gambler.” One writer referred to him as “the frigid midget,” and another said he was about “as soft as a hydrant.” When all was done and said, Ben Hogan would set a still unrivaled standard for ball-striking excellence among golf's all-time greats…

THINK / PLAY / LIVE: THE ENLIGHTENED GAME Lessons SHORT GAME LESSONS: JUNE 2023 I'LL BE CELEBRATING my 53rd birthday this month, yet, as you saw at the Masters, I can still hang with the younger guys. My T2 at Augusta was helped by some solid short-game play, something I've always taken pride in. I got up-anddown 60 percent of the time during the Masters, even when I found the sand. And on Friday, I needed five fewer putts to complete my round compared to the field average. The things I typically do on short shots and putts are things any golfer can copy. If you're looking to save a few strokes here and there—and who isn't?—try the following four tips on for size. They've helped me since I first picked up…

Should your putter swing straight back and through or on an arc? You've heard arguments from both sides. Here's mine: It has to arc because of the lie angle built into the shaft and hosel. You can go with straight back and through, but, more than likely, you'll cut across the ball and miss your start line immediately. TRY THIS: Place two of your irons on the green as shown, with the clubs set just far enough apart for your putterhead to swing between them, mimicking your target line. If you truly “force” the putter straight back, it'll run into the club on the far side of the track. Not good. Instead, use the inside club as a guide, watching your putterhead arc to the inside and get closer to…

THERE ARE BACKSWINGS, power rich and speed loading. Then there are tilts. Leans. Half turns. I see a lot of the last three with rec students. Let's change that. Here to help is Morgan Hale (@morganhaleperformance on Instagram), part of our Dewsweepers coaching group. Check the photos above: Not only is this stretch great for helping your body move more functionally, but it will also help you learn correct movement patterns. Start with your hands on the club, shaft straight up and down (1). From there, turn and reach back with your trail arm as high and as far behind you as you can (2). Important: Keep the club stable. If it begins moving away from the target, you're leaning and not turning. And since it's just as critical to…

The situation: Plugged lie in the sand. The solution: Set up with an open clubface (1). This goes against what you've likely been told (i.e., “hood” the face). So what? Two of the best bunker players I've seen are Lee Trevino and Paul Azinger, and both play this shot with an open face. In addition, stand closer to the ball and keep your legs quiet. Go with a massive hinge on the way back and a full release on the way through, with almost zero follow-through. In other words, go pound sand (2)! Get steep and keep the face open. Works like a charm. For more short-game recipes from McLachlin, visit shortgamechef.com.…

Now Playing ADJUSTABLE FAIRWAY WOODS are a great option for golfers who want to fine-tune the performance characteristics of a club that typically serves multiple roles off the tee and from the fairway. When looking at the current crop of adjustable fairway woods, it could be debated that TaylorMade's Stealth 2 Plus ($450; taylormade-golf.com) is the most interesting offering in the marketplace. The 50-gram weight housed in the sole represents about 22 percent of the clubhead's total mass, and as GOLF.com Senior Equipment Editor Ryan Barath learned during a recent testing session, a substantial sole weight can essentially give you three clubs in one, depending on where the mass is positioned. With the weight in the far forward position, Barath launched the club at 12 degrees with 2900 rpm of…

POWERED BY DEWAR'S® Summer Sipper It feels like a drink made for L.A. The Dewar's Lemon Wedge is the official cocktail of the U.S. Open, and you owe it to yourself to give one (or several) a try. While obviously tasty and refreshing, the Lemon Wedge's best part might be its simplicity. Here's how to concoct it: • 1.5 oz Dewar's 12 • 3 oz club soda • 2 oz lemonade Combine all ingredients over ice in a highball glass and garnish with a lemon wedge. That's it. Need more simplicity? The Dewar's Lemon Wedge is available as a ready-made cocktail in a can. Salud!…

G: Your early life in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles was filled with real hardship. Back then, could you have imagined you'd be teeing it up at some of the most exclusive country clubs in town some day? GL: Probably not, but we did have a 7-iron in the backyard and lemon trees. So I started to hit lemons. If you got 'em young enough, they took off like Top-Flites. If the lemon split in a certain way, I knew I nailed it. If not, I knew I pulled my head up. I can tell you everything about the golf swing by hitting a lemon. G: How old were you then? GL: About 11. G: You began playing golf for real in 1982, when you were 21. Your…