Opinion & Analysis

Why Your Clubs Are (Most Likely) Completely Wrong for You

Published

7 years ago

Jul 21, 2017

Full disclosure, I’ve never written about golf equipment, instruction, or any technical aspect of this glorious (read: torturous) game. My wheelhouse is a little more, should we say, old school. I write about fashion. I write about style. I write about how two buttons is all you need in a suit jacket, and how even one button more is a travesty. I write about the art of being a gentleman, about cocktails, and about being a gentleman while drinking cocktails. He Who Shall Not Be Named (but was caught driving a golf cart on a green recently because he was too lazy to get his POTUS-ness out of his cart and walk 10 feet), would hate what I write about. Let’s just say that if I worked in a certain Casa De Blanca, I’d have been fired and been the focus of numerous Federal Inquiries by now for ripping on his wardrobe choices.

That being said, I do know a thing or three about golf, the golf swing, equipment, and club fitting. I’m a full-time golf coach and club-fitter that could write all day about how much I miss the click-clack of metal spikes on concrete, but I’m not here to talk to you about that. I’m here to tell you that the clubs in your bag, those gorgeous little forged things that you dreamt of and saved up for and skipped taking your wife out for your anniversary for… are most likely completely, totally, and unequivocally wrong for you.

I’m not judging. I used to be like you. I’d read every magazine that got stuffed in the mailbox. I’d drool over so-and-so’s sexy new shiny blades and the hot new x-stiff, tour-issue shafts that “Hot Young Golfer on Tour” was playing. And I thought to myself, “I’m a good stick. I swing fast. I need those clubs!” I was a decent stick. Good enough to take money out of the pockets of the older guys at Men’s League when I was 15. I’m even more decent now. Buttercuts, high draws, stingers, sandbag flops, and low skippers, I have them all. And I’m getting even better now because recently I made a very important life discovery. When you get older, you realize how very wrong you were about many, many things (silk button-downs in high school anyone?). I discovered the pure joy of hitting a 205-yard 6-iron with a 3-yard baby fade with my eyes closed (literally). I don’t play a fade, mind you. I make my whiskey money on a power draw that would make Kenny Perry blush, and I have since high school. But two weeks ago, I roped this fade with my eyes closed. Then did it again, and again and again. With my scratch handicap, 95 mile per hour clubhead speed, decent lag and pretty strong load in the transition, I did this, and I’m still doing it with… wait for it… a Ping Rapture “Super Game Improvement Iron” with an 80-gram regular-flex shaft. And I can work it both ways, on demand, depending on what the shot dictates. That’s right, a pretty decent player is loving his new (old) set of irons that everyone swears is only for 18 handicaps. It took me 30 years of playing golf to set aside my biases, get over myself, and actually take the time to find what clubs will allow me to play my best, regardless of what I see when I look down at the ball. And that’s exactly what you should do.

My golf coach and club-fitter (even coaches need coaches) is a bit of a mad scientist. He spent some time on the Nike Tour, and now coaches and builds clubs for not only a number of Tour guys, but also for guys with Q-School goals like me. He’s one of those guys who prefers to stay behind the curtain, so he asked me not to use his name, but his time for the spotlight will come. He uses physics and biomechanics along with a holistic approach to playing the game instead of relying on Trackman data. I have nothing but love for Trackman by the way, just to be clear, but we don’t use it much for my training. When we started working together, I was playing forged head irons with heavy, stiff-flex shafts. They were beautiful clubs and looked impressive in my bag, but I was hitting massive draws with them that would get loose sometimes and cause major damage to my rounds. He watched me on the range and just shook his head. After watching 10 straight pull hooks, he stopped me, mainly because he couldn’t stand to watch it anymore. He told me that my swing was great; we didn’t need to work on mechanics. What we needed, he said, was to start with a club fitting and find clubs that would allow me to “Swing My Swing” (Thanks Arnie!) so I didn’t have to change what I was as a golfer. The next morning he met me on the range along with a bag filled with 30 different 6 irons in different head styles, shaft weights and flex profiles, and we started hitting.

Each club had tape on it with different numbers. These numbers represented the weight and MOI of both the clubhead and the total club, along with the ratio between the two. There was also another strip of tape on the shaft with numbers like 1.56, 1.19, etc. These numbers represented the distance from the centerline of the hosel out to the “sweet spot,” or the center of gravity on the clubface. Don’t ask me the formula used to determine this point, because he learned it from his dad who was a physicist and that kind of math is punching way above my weight class. He handed me a club and I took a swing. Same old huge draw that I’m used to. Then I was told to close my eyes and hit it again. That alone might be one of the scariest things I’ve ever done as a golfer. I hit it pretty well, actually (You’d be surprised by your own ability to do this. Give it a shot.), but it was still left, just a bit less draw. I looked at the number on that club, and it was 1.22. The problem wasn’t with my swing. The problem was that the sweet spot was too close to the heel of the club for me, and the only way for me to catch it solid was to pull across my body and shut the clubface. Thus, a pull-draw. We started hitting the higher numbered clubs where the sweet spot was more out toward the middle of the face where I need it to be. That draw got smaller and smaller, and the pull became less and less, until I found that club labeled 1.62 on it. I started hitting laser-shot baby fades that went forever and exactly where I wanted them to go… with my eyes closed.

It turns out that I had been playing clubs since I was 10 that forced me to swing in a way that isn’t natural for the way my body moves through the universe. I’m not Nick Price. Never have been, never will be. Think more like Pat Perez or Payne Stewart, where the swing looks like pouring syrup over pancakes… in the winter. It’s not that I’m not “good enough” to play forged blades. I’ve got game. It’s simply a fact of me needing the sweet spot to be closer to the middle of the clubface. More and more players on the tours are switching to “game-improvement” irons, especially for the long irons. Do you want to try to tell them that they aren’t “good enough” to play a 4-iron that’s a blade? I didn’t think so. I’m not saying that this is true for everyone. Far from it. My brother (a damn good player in his own right) has a swing that happens to fit perfectly with those sexy Miura Tournament Blades. He has a very strong, purposeful and speedy swing. He needs the center of gravity as close to the hosel as possible. When a player like him swings my clubs, the ball goes right of right and he can’t control it. It’s about finding what works for you. Should we be saying that he “isn’t good enough” to play my “game-improvement” irons? Of course not. That’d be ridiculous, right? So why do we accept the opposite statement as pure truth?

Basically, unless someone designs a blade or muscleback iron with the CG closer to the middle of the face, I’ll be showing up at Q-School next year with some big, chunky, clunky, cavity backs. And I’m okay with that. I’m proud, but I’m not shallow. I’m more concerned now with how good my clubs allow me to play, not how good they make me look. “Not good enough to play blades”? You hear it all the time. GI, SGI, Players Irons… those terms are misleading and just plain incorrect. The terminology needs to change. I don’t care if my irons look like a Barcolounger that was found on the side of the highway with a sign on it that reads “free.” They fit my swing perfectly.

Guys will judge me silently when they look in my bag and assume I don’t belong there. Be my guest, fellas. I’ll be the one on the patio chilling with a Woodford on the rocks after signing for a 65 while the guys with the flashy blades crowd around the scoreboard and stress out, hoping that their 73s get them into a playoff for the last spot. Now onto much more important things, like those pleated trousers…

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Bryan Metzler

Bryan is a former college golfer and aspiring Tour pro, and a very, very amateur writer who has a flair for over-indulgent, drippy commentary. He once came "this close" to getting in a fight with Nick Swisher outside a Cleveland strip club. At least once in his life he's wanted to be a tailor, chef, fireman, Indians 3rd baseman, astronaut, actor, lounge singer, hand model, DJ (Named DJ BPM) motorcycle racer... and Ryan Gosling. He's addicted to watches and shoes, and has three life rules; Do what makes you happy, find the love of a great woman, and wear anything Tom Ford makes. He's really just hoping in ten years when he joins the Champions Tour to be sponsored by a bourbon company and smoke cigars with Miguel Angel Jimenez. His best friends describe him as "Slightly nicer than a grilled cheese sandwich on white bread"...

95 Comments

James

Nov 6, 2017 at 1:23 pm

Who knew a pull hook could be fixed by equipment and not the club face pointing left with an out-to-in swing path?

Reply Report comment
li0scc0

Jul 28, 2017 at 11:49 am

Great article. I shot my best round – and first round at even par (Par 72) last night with…. Cleveland VAS 792 2-PW irons in my bag. Laugh if you want, but an Eagle on a 500 yard Par 5 with a 2 Iron, then 5 iron, then 12 foot putt certainly silenced my playing partners. Ugly irons? You bet. But…do they perform? You better believe it!

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Branson Reynolds

Jul 25, 2017 at 10:54 am

My only complaint is that while he says you need to get fitted, he’s a fitter and didn’t have himself fit correctly. How do i know if anyone at GG or golftec can fit like his coach does and isn’t just some by-the-book drone?

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@@!!!

Jul 25, 2017 at 12:51 am

Can’t lie I thought this was a new hilarious article by Ron Swanson, until I scrolled up to the top and realized it was not. I was honestly shocked this was a real person especially after reading the bio.

“Anything that can be gambled on and judging people by the clothes they wear”. Obviously there’s no depth to your shallowness…SMH. Honestly speechless that this is part of your amusement, no offense but your totally “that guy”. It seems like you about to hit 60, but with a 7th grader mentality.

Best of luck to you, and your outragous, superficial view on the world. I hope it’s satisfying, because it seems by reading this a lonely place.

Reply Report comment
Thomas Murphy

Jul 24, 2017 at 6:39 pm

Interesting thing happened…I went to fitting at Club Champion, worked with a great fitter, we started with shaft, that zeroed in fast, pulled a hole bunch of heads initially thinking split bag like 6-pw Srixon 765 4,5 Srixon 565, etc. you get the idea, player mid/short irons, game improvement long irons. The Srixon stayed in the hunt a long time but what we learned is I can’t hit a game improvement club for my life. I can but I hit player clubs WAY better, better smash factor, more consistent, etc. In the end it came down to 716CB vs. Apex — Apex better smash factor but Titleist tighter circle left/right — lasers. It wasn’t what I expected at all and it is far from stock pricing — kind of a pxg/epic etc. type experience but I picked up 20 yards over my current Mizunos. I was fully ready in the beginning to head straight into GI clubs Ping G, etc. but nay nay.

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Nomad Golfer

Jul 24, 2017 at 2:10 am

Instead of going back to the future, my club selection has gone forward to the past ie 8-10+ yr old clubs. With some experimentation I have found what works best for me and that’s all that matters. The clubs don’t shine but they’ve done the time.

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DrRob1963

Jul 23, 2017 at 8:14 am

Blades win – its easy – just look at all the career grand slam winners:
Sarazen = blades
Hogan = blades
Player = blades
Nicklaus = blades – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Slams
Tiger = blades – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Slams
Every GI & SGI club player in history = ZERO career slams

Reply Report comment
- ibo
  
  Jul 24, 2017 at 12:00 pm
  
  Spieth has 3 Majors with AP2’s, which are not even CB’s?
  
  Reply Report comment
- 2putttom
  
  Jul 24, 2017 at 2:37 pm
  
  it’s not the arrow, … it’s the ____________
  
  Reply Report comment
- joro
  
  Jul 26, 2017 at 11:02 am
  
  Wake up “DR” Bob, they also are real Golfers with hips in the plus side that if you don’t know what that is, is it says they give strokes to par, not take strokes. They are very good, but so are the blades of today, not like the ones we played in the old days. And for you, I was once a +2. but today as an old geezer I have CB, spring face, strong lofts, Graphite, and everything else I can find. It is not the tools, it is the guy handling the tool, and these players handle them very well.
  
  Reply Report comment
Woody

Jul 23, 2017 at 7:55 am

Not sure why you had to rip on the president..crap gets old after a while. Please keep that crap out of your next article.

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- ACTUAL FACTS
  
  Jul 23, 2017 at 5:26 pm
  
  Agreed! Politics should be left off of WRX; however, the video of our golfing POTUS driving a cart on the greens was hard to watch!
  
  Reply Report comment
Harry

Jul 22, 2017 at 11:55 pm

Funny how some guys admit to not reading the article but then presume to know what it says, and they seem to read all the comments too.
For my part, what prevents someone from paying for a fitting, getting a good set, and then just sticking with that set until the grooves are worn enough that the set needs to be replaced? I don’t think getting fit implies any need for getting a mother fitting/set every year or two. My starter set lasted me 15 yrs (too long I know), but I’d rather play the right stuff too long than keep on switching to things that don’t fit right.

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Jose Pinatas

Jul 22, 2017 at 7:50 pm

Great read. I’m drinking the kool aid.. Dude can play in my group anytime… We’ll play a 5some in 3 hours 45 mins hold nobody up(follow all cart rules and or restrictions), all the old traditionalist moofs will be shaking there heads saying they can’t play 5 at my course…. We be yelling back move aside bro new breed coming thru as were poppin GI 6irons 220, knocking wedgies inside 5ft, and billy mayfairing putts right in the jar, on our way to 67’s…… BOOM!!!! Hey what works for the goose doesn’t always work for the gander….

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ACTUAL FACTS

Jul 22, 2017 at 11:25 am

This was a pleasant read and an interesting take on club fitting that should be added as a how to section in the book How to Archer!

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Jim

Jul 22, 2017 at 10:40 am

I gave your article a shank. Reason, you made it way too much about you, and not us, the average golfer. You should have titled it “why I was playing the wrong clubs”. It did nothing to help me with my club choice.

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Rwj

Jul 22, 2017 at 9:23 am

Grown man using the word “fashion,”. Pass.

Reply Report comment
- Double Mocha Man
  
  Jul 22, 2017 at 1:07 pm
  
  We’re not all beer guzzling, tough guy, anti-art guys out here in the “golf world”. That comment said a lot about you and your neanderthal ways…
  
  Reply Report comment
  - J Witness
    
    Jul 23, 2017 at 3:49 pm
    
    And yours says a lot about you male feminist
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Double Mocha Man
      
      Jul 24, 2017 at 4:36 pm
      
      Hey Witness… I’ll play you even up for 18 holes. Loser has to tour the nearest art museum, take in a classical concert and sip a flute of prosecco.
      
      Reply Report comment
Dave

Jul 22, 2017 at 7:43 am

Great article. Any golfer can improve their game by seeing a ‘Good’ clubfitter. But I do have to say to Mr. Metzler, you can’t judge a book by the cover.

Additionally, what’s a perfectly prepared steak? and it all went to h*** with the Tenacious D.

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jgpl001

Jul 22, 2017 at 5:45 am

Boo, down with sort of thing

How dare he get near the truth

This site is for serious playaha’s, who play blades, PX 7.0 tipped 1 inch and 105g driver shafts in x flex

Note to editor: please stop stupid articles like this, they are unpleasant and disturbing

Reply Report comment
Chris

Jul 22, 2017 at 4:36 am

Odd article, there are many players clubs, including blades, that have the sweet spot in the middle of the face these days.

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james

Jul 21, 2017 at 10:45 pm

So woody, am i to understand that you do not like political comments, but you feel that those that do not like this article are haters, even though it contains political comments. Not trying to argue, just trying to understand your stance here.

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gwillis7

Jul 21, 2017 at 10:40 pm

Great article, I actually enjoyed it

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Woody

Jul 21, 2017 at 10:07 pm

One, I’d prefer you leave political comments out of it. And two, I think that most of the haters do not understand that most of this article is satire.

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james

Jul 21, 2017 at 9:52 pm

Seems strange that GolfWRX gives members warning about political comments and then publishes articles with asinine political comments on their front page.

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Jon

Jul 21, 2017 at 9:19 pm

I really liked the article until I saw “GolfTec Swing Instructor”.

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Bryan Metzler

Jul 21, 2017 at 8:49 pm

Thank you to everyone for the feedback. I appreciate everyone who took time to read it and comment (even the negative ones!). One of the reasons that I didn’t give out my fitters info is because I didn’t want him to be bombarded by negative trolling by people who missed the point of my article. For those of you that are interested in an incredible Tour-level fitting experience (That isn’t as expensive as you’d think), contact me and I’ll get you in touch with him. You might just learn some really awesome stuff about your game at the same time. And who knows, maybe the new Titleist MB 716’s are perfect for you! That’s the great thing about this game, is that there are so many ways to approach it, and you get to find your own way in reaching your potential. Just like practicing Zen, Yoga, or cooking, there are people out there that have been studying everything about it for years and know things that can accelerate your learning curve. Find them, ask them questions, ask them for teaching or help. There’s nothing wrong with learning everything you can and deciding what works for you. Enjoy The Open and raise a pint or eight this weekend!

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- hot babe
  
  Jul 21, 2017 at 11:53 pm
  
  I found your profile http://www.pof.com/member89809665.htm. your hot, call me I was to see your huge GI irons
  
  Reply Report comment
- RG
  
  Jul 22, 2017 at 1:18 am
  
  Ping i3 blades R flex 85mph iron swing and ill shot your eyes out with them.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Mick
    
    Nov 5, 2017 at 7:50 pm
    
    Never,,,NEVER play a guy still rocking PING I3 Blades,,,their is no hope against a guy who knows how to hit those !
    
    Reply Report comment
- Kevin
  
  Jul 22, 2017 at 2:30 pm
  
  For those of us that are stuck with our current irons until we can afford new ones, can you manually effect where the sweet spot is located via lead tape? If so, would tape on the toe side effectively move the sweet spot closer to the toe and visa versa? Thanks for an interesting article.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Scott
  
  Nov 5, 2017 at 6:47 pm
  
  Love to know your fitter and location… BTW, great read… swing your swing
  
  Reply Report comment
Ude

Jul 21, 2017 at 8:45 pm

I’m with ya Bubba, and it’s only the neurotic gearheads who will suffer immensely as the OEMs begin to fail and fall by the wayside, choking on their unsold inventories.

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Ude

Jul 21, 2017 at 8:43 pm

The OEMs who advertise copiously on GolfWRX are on their last legs. Why? Because golfers are not buying the newest and most expensive golf clubs and discarding their old clubs.
They are desperate to jack up the marketplace otherwise they will collapse in their own mendacity. Within 5 years many of the traditional OEMs will vanish leaving a few and some boutique club companies. It’s happening with the collapse of big box store retailers and the OEMs are on their last gasps.
Club fitting will force the retailers to more heavily invest in qualified fitters and the OEMs will become component companies selling club heads and shafts to the stores that fit. This is a problematic marketing model.

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Mike Hollingsworth

Jul 21, 2017 at 7:41 pm

Holy smokes. I don’t think I’ve ever read prose that screams “I’m grinning at my own genius while writing” quite like this. Sometimes less is more.

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Someone

Jul 21, 2017 at 6:57 pm

Center shot on a blade is the same as center GI club or SGi because. Those “clunky and chunky,” clubs are only better in the sense that off center hits are still just as far. That is literally the only real difference. All you are saying is that you’re not willing to practice enough to groove your swing to hit closer to the center sweet spot and would rather play equipment that makes up for your inconsistency. There is nothing wrong with that at all, but don’t try and fool people into thinking that they need SGI or GI clubs over blades. The game was originally played with blades and that shows true ability and consistency and willingness to grind until your swing is grooved to hit the center or nearest the center as possible. Consistency is the key when it comes to irons…stop trying to dissuade players from playing the clubs they like. Not everyone can drive a corvette to its potential, but that doesn’t mean everyone should buy a corolla…you’re deluded because you have finally settled and found what works for you…which isn’t the same as what works for everyone. For some people, having good looking equipment gives them the confidence needed to help them perform well. For some it’s more mental than technical. For you it was a technical issue, not a mental. For others it will be a mental issue over technical. Don’t try and steer people away from playing what they want. Instead steer them to help them get better using the equipment they have. You’re only perpetuating the useless spending of money to try and buy new equipment every year instead of telling the truth that they should get their swing checked out or take lessons and then get a fitting to help adjust their equipment and then MAYBE they might consider gear if it potentially increases their gains by whatever percentage they determine. For me, a 10% gain is worth it, but for a pro, something as small as a 1% gain could mean the different between hitting a 4i or a 6i into the green. Who let you write it self fluff piece anyway, they must not have read this before it was published. Get off your high horse and maybe try helping people by teaching them or showing them instead of talking yourself up and thinking you’re so wonderful because you found your winning combination that worked for you, clubs that make up for your inability to groove a swing consistent enough to play a more precise club. Anyone can kill with a bazooka but it takes a pro to snipe.

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- ooffa
  
  Jul 22, 2017 at 9:03 am
  
  you are filled with negativity and discouragement for the average golfer.
  
  Reply Report comment
izzlist of izzles

Jul 21, 2017 at 6:41 pm

allmyshank.jpg

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QR

Jul 21, 2017 at 6:40 pm

This is a safe space website for boys and men who homogeneously love their clubs and the game of golf. How dare anybody insult golf and those who are besotted with golf. Delete this horrid article.

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Jim

Jul 21, 2017 at 6:39 pm

Remember – it’s all about getting you to go spend money on “new & improved” gear that you don’t need. THE best way to improve your game is with lessons and range balls.

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Styles

Jul 21, 2017 at 5:55 pm

I can see how someone could be so self-absorbed they could write this article and not realize how inappropriate and awful it is. I cannot see how any gWRX editor could sign off on releasing it to the homepage.

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CCGolfTx

Jul 21, 2017 at 5:53 pm

Worst article ever written on this website. The author is totally out of touch. People will not be judging him due to the clubs in his bag but rather his total lack of character and originality. He is 40 years old but seems to have the credibility of a sophomore frat boy who loves torturing pledges more than life itself. I do hope he realizes that the players on the champions tour can actually play excellent golf. Also, leave The President of the USA out of it.

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Lloyd

Jul 21, 2017 at 4:15 pm

Circle jerking forum gearheads squealing like stuck pigs cause they didn’t get their sexy clubs fitted for their weenie swing.
Can’t love unfitted clubs cause that makes them imperfect and inferior.

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Grizz01

Jul 21, 2017 at 3:46 pm

30 years of Club Componet Companies like Golfworks, Golfsmith (gone now) and the old Dynacraft company. Along with every OME company… if golfers don’t know they need to be fitted… they’ve had their head in the sand. Let them be…

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Pured

Jul 21, 2017 at 3:45 pm

Brilliant!! FINALLY a refreshing read in the forum of golf that I would happily tip my cocktail glass to any damn day. Cheers!

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2putttom

Jul 21, 2017 at 3:28 pm

Guys will judge me silently when they look in my bag and assume I don’t belong there. Be my guest, fellas. I’ll be the one on the patio chilling with a Woodford on the rocks after signing for a 65 while the guys with the flashy blades crowd around the scoreboard and stress out, hoping that their 73s get them into a playoff for the last spot. Now onto much more important things, like those pleated trousers…

And I’ll add skinny jeans to the pleated trouser list

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Jay Bengston

Jul 21, 2017 at 3:06 pm

I have trouble believing the equipment change would make as big of a difference as described for someone with a good game. But all the whining about the author describing how well he plays is funny. He obviously had to emphasize that point or else be dismissed a hack by blade playing 80 shooters.

Reply Report comment
cg

Jul 21, 2017 at 3:05 pm

how does he measure where the CG is?

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Timbleking

Jul 21, 2017 at 3:02 pm

I personnally think that, after 16 years playing and si many iron sets played (not far from 100 now), club fitting simply sucks. No figure will tell you how good you feel behind the ball and how confident you are, which is actually key to good golf playin’.
I dropped a set of Titleist 714 CB from the Tour Van to play my best rounds in years with…my girlfriend’s Wilson DC half-set. And each time I do that, I poay in the low 70. Conclusion is simple…

Reply Report comment
cody

Jul 21, 2017 at 2:42 pm

works at golftec is all you need to know about this guy… moving on

Reply Report comment
- Jim
  
  Jul 21, 2017 at 3:48 pm
  
  Hahahahaha!!!
  
  HooYah that!!!!
  
  The absolute worst
  
  Reply Report comment
sam

Jul 21, 2017 at 2:30 pm

shank of the week……

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theD0n

Jul 21, 2017 at 2:15 pm

Having read the last few issues of Golf Magazine (the subscription I got for free by buying stuff from Global Golf), I noticed a huge push to players to get fitted for their clubs. Yes, it’s another revenue stream for the golf equipment business. Yes, I realize that if I wanted to play my best, getting fitted is one of the best things I could do for my game. However, this article confirms my suspicion, that custom fitting reeks of affluence. How much did all this cost? I’ve read articles that a fitting at Club Champion, combined with the purchase of whatever they recommend, can set you back $6k-$8k or even more.

If this is the way golf is headed, then I’ll let the rich have their country clubs, their crappy Woodford Reserve, and their custom fittings. I’ll continue to buy my clubs off eBay, fill up my flask with Four Roses Single Barrel, and head out to the mini down the street. Ha!

Reply Report comment
- Someone
  
  Jul 21, 2017 at 6:41 pm
  
  So being someone that has gone to club champion, I will tell you that the price reflects what you tell your fitter. If you ask for exotic tour equipment with ultra rare shafts, etc, that is exactly what you will get. If you ask for moderately priced, it reflects, and so forth. You only get what you ask for. When you tell the fitter “I have no limited find me the best gear for my game,” you open yourself up to premium prices. That’s not to say that you can’t play your best with less expensive gear now! I didn’t ask for the most expensive, but at the same time I didn’t ask for the cheapest. I asked my fitter to show me options, and when something was too expensive for me I asked for its less expensive yet comparable brethren and they complied. Hit the setup in Trackman and either proved to be slightly under or pretty much the same as the more expensive option.
  
  My advice to you, don’t go by what others say 100%. People will be turned off when they find out that there’s better gear out there for them, but they’ve wasted years buying used or off the rack only to find out they’ve spent just as much as they could have on a fit set from club champ. To make things even better, you can purchase part by part. You don’t need the entire bag immediately. My entirely new set would’ve cost me 3k. I ended up changing my iron shafts and my putter and my game improved from that alone. The gains from my iron heads to the new ones was good but I decided to play my head longer since they were still in great shape. They happily oblige. They had no problem tweaking the setup to meet the specs that we measured, tested them out to confirm and then the deal was done. I did what I could afford at the time. Getting fit by them was the best decision I’ve made in golf so far. If you’re hesitant about the price, wait until the holidays when they do their entire bag fitting for 50% off. In addition single portion fittings (woods, irons, wedges, etc.) are only 33% off. Those deals happen pretty frequently. And to make things better, they honor their lifetime warranty. It’s not for the lifetime of the clubs, it’s for the lifetime that you are working with them using the equipment they make for you. In addition the tolerances hey have are more restrictive than oems, so clubs are setup with +\- 1gram whereas OEM’s accept +\- 5grams or sometimes more. They will work with you, your fitter will stay in contact with you and help you with your transition and follow your game with you. Unhappy with the equipment they built for you, they’ll do what’s necessary to make it right, even if it means sending it back and changing it out. Again this is only for the equipment they provide. So for my case, it’s only the putter and he iron shafts. But the guarantee still applies. I am not really feeling my putter lately and it’s been off. I’ve been wanting a slightly heavier head and putter so I may take it back and let them know to see what other options I have for putters. They’ll put what I’ve paid already towards the cost of the new equipment. If it’s less, then they swap it out, obviously if the new stuff is more I gotta pay thee difference. The key idea is that you get fit by them, but you also keep a lasting relationship with them to help keep your game on par. Yes it is a business model but at the same time the long term relationship with the customer satisfaction and support is far greater than any temporary sale on a club that you’re gonna sell in 6months looking for the next greatest thing. How frequently does a pro change teachers? How frequently do they change gear? Not that frequent at all…so it only makes sense that your gear supplier be consistent as well.
  
  Reply Report comment
SeanSpicer'sResignationLetter

Jul 21, 2017 at 2:13 pm

Great article and something to think about. I play blades myself, but often feel that my tendency to hit the ball closer to the toe would lend itself better to a different club. Or I could use lead tape.
Keep it up!

Reply Report comment
- Someone
  
  Jul 21, 2017 at 6:44 pm
  
  Hitting the toe is not the sign of equipment change, it’s a sign of setup adjustment. I.e. Move a little closer or don’t pull your hands in so much in the swing etc. the clubs will always do what the user requests of them. The club wasn’t doing edginess to hit the toe more frequently than others.
  
  Spend more money on club adjustments or just get your swing looked at to determine if it’s as Si mole as stepping a half inch closer or swinging a little more outside
  
  Reply Report comment
  - SeanSpicer'sResignationLetter
    
    Jul 21, 2017 at 8:07 pm
    
    conversely, if, for a given loft lie and length, i’m hitting the ball more towards the toe than the heel, one might infer that with all things the same, having a CoG more toward the toe would help me. Put another way – holding my swing as constant (which I’m the first to admit is a mistake itself), I would be better served with a club that fit my swing, having a toe-bias to the CoG.
    
    Reply Report comment
Sean

Jul 21, 2017 at 1:41 pm

The game of golf is about scoring, not what clubs are in your bag, and the scorecard couldn’t care less what clubs those are. There is a lot of ego involved in golf, from the kind of equipment one has, to what tees are played. If some people are concerned about “appearances” then they have bigger problems then their x-stiff shafts.

Totally unnecessary comment on POTUS. By the way, he chased down a Marine’s cover, twice. Another sign of laziness?

Reply Report comment
carl spackler

Jul 21, 2017 at 1:25 pm

what a tool. i hope some guy with pleated pants, a visor and a set of mp-4s schools you.

Reply Report comment
Travis

Jul 21, 2017 at 1:18 pm

Is your profile name BrianL99???

Reply Report comment
Matt

Jul 21, 2017 at 1:01 pm

“I’ll be the one on the patio chilling with a Woodford on the rocks after signing for a 65”

https://media.giphy.com/media/Fml0fgAxVx1eM/giphy.gif

Reply Report comment
- chinchbugs
  
  Jul 22, 2017 at 6:54 pm
  
  +1
  
  Reply Report comment
Tom

Jul 21, 2017 at 12:55 pm

A couple of things:
1) Leave politics out of it. I don’t care if you like or dislike the President, your commentary had nothing whatsoever to do with the rest of the article. I think we are berated enough on a daily basis not to have it randomly shoehorned into a golf article.
2) I actually have had the complete opposite experience when it comes to clubs. I am a lower handicap (5) who plays a slight pull draw with a slower tempo and, attempted, smoother swing. I had played the same muscleback irons for years and had worked down to a 2 handicap. Four years ago I started listening to the wisdom of magazines, commentators and the Internet that I needed more “game improvement” or whatever you want to call them, irons with lighter shafts, bigger sweet spots, and, different centers of gravity, because the pros are moving in that direction and so should you! I did my research, got fitted, and chose my clubs. Long story short, I went from shooting in and around par to not being able to break 80. It took 4 years of trying to fix my technique to ditch the GI irons and go back to irons with less offset, heavier shafts, and thin topline. My scores came down so fast it was almost miraculous. Get fitted, seek the opinion of experts, but ultimately, use what you’re comfortable with and enjoy yourself.

Reply Report comment
- Grizz01
  
  Jul 21, 2017 at 3:52 pm
  
  Good reply! I’m still playing with my 1994 Lynx Parallax irons. I’ve had to move on with some wedges because they wear down quicker. I know these Lynx are anywhere from 1.5 -2 club lengths shorter than what is marketed today. (because all they are doing is changing an old 5 iron to a 7 iron length and loft). It doesn’t bruise my ego one bit when someone takes out less club than I do. (Actually makes me look pretty good that I can still hit a 2 iron when the lowest iron in their bag in a 4 or 5.)
  
  Reply Report comment
- Hmmm
  
  Jul 21, 2017 at 4:57 pm
  
  “We”? As in the people who berated the previous president constantly based on smears and lies about his religion (irrelevant in a country founded upon Separation of Church and State) and birthplace (just plain fake news)? Tom you should open your mind and free yourself from the mindlessness of partisan politics (this goes both ways!).
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Grizz01
    
    Jul 22, 2017 at 3:28 am
    
    Just shut up…. enough with the politicing… Hmmm, you talk politics and get it wrong. The United States was not founded upon Separation of Church and State. Quit listening to garbage. Start reading and studying for yourself.
    
    Reply Report comment
- BIG STU
  
  Jul 22, 2017 at 7:58 pm
  
  Tom dead on it on all fronts even about the POTUS. Yep I played with muscleback blades all my life but recently switched to some forged CB Callys. Now I still maintain a 5 handicap playing only a couple days a week if that. Now if I go to practicing and playing everyday like I did when playing comp then I will more than likely go back to the blades. Since I do not practice or play as much as I used to I needed a little forgiveness in my irons. I am one who could give 2 hoots about what one chooses to play. I have caught a little heck on a couple of the WRX forums because I do not play the musclebacks much anymore. But then again I have been told the Callys I hit might as well be blades. Hey I play what I want to. Your last sentence on your comment says it all for me very well stated
  
  Reply Report comment
Buford T Justice

Jul 21, 2017 at 12:42 pm

I don’t care about what other people thing, so, I’m going to write an entire piece illustrating how little I care about what they think.

I’m going to give specific examples about how I’m perceived.

I’m going to write a few fictional paragraphs about how the folks who are supposedly eye’ing my bag shot X, and I shot < X.

Then, I'm going to remind you again about how little I care about what people think.

Trying to convince us, or, trying to convince yourself?

Reply Report comment
AV

Jul 21, 2017 at 12:31 pm

Er…Rickie Fowler’s clubs are exactly what you need. Blades with tungsten plugs in the toe to move the “sweet spot” out towards the toe.

Reply Report comment
Ron

Jul 21, 2017 at 12:31 pm

Spend your money on lessons, not equipment changes. The biggest improvement you will see in your game will be from a series of lessons from a good pro. Not from switching from blades to GI’s.

Reply Report comment
Sam

Jul 21, 2017 at 12:11 pm

I disagree, for a tour player this is important, but for the rest of us you get on a trackman and play trackman to get clubs and shafts that are marginally better on trackman. Then you go out on the course and they don’t make a real difference at all. It’s a waste of time and money.

I just buy off the rack now, Dynamic Gold S300 is good enough for me and a Diamana blue board in stiff is fine. Where the money is in the wedges and putter, that is where rounds are made.

Reply Report comment
- Mbu
  
  Jul 21, 2017 at 1:20 pm
  
  I agree with you.. , except for the putter bit. Good putters can putt with anything.
  
  Reply Report comment
Chuck

Jul 21, 2017 at 12:05 pm

I was hoping that the payoff here would be one or all of these things:

1. A detailed description of what the author has in his bag. Heads, shafts, lies, lofts, swingweights, tipping, etc.
2. A sensible, readable, practical description of how to fit oneself for cubs, OR…
3. The name and address of one or more clubfitters who will make a big difference in our golf games.

Most of this article was about the shape and weighting of iron heads. And actually, the OEM’s are ahead of us in this game, making more and more traditional looking clubs with more tungsten weighting out to the toe. (A good idea, I always thought.) But still, if the point of all of this is to do a lecture on the shape and weighting of iron heads, that’s fine. But it isn’t a lot of “clubfitting.”

Reply Report comment
Travis

Jul 21, 2017 at 11:57 am

The only thing I came away with from this article is that the writer doesn’t like Trump and really likes himself.

Reply Report comment
- Darrin
  
  Jul 21, 2017 at 12:32 pm
  
  My thoughts exactly. We really need to use an article about golf equipment as a venue to make opinionated and unsubstantiated political commentary. Shows a total lack of class (wow how ironic) and character.
  
  Reply Report comment
Brian

Jul 21, 2017 at 11:12 am

Ever hear of Maltby?

Reply Report comment
- Maltby the Physicist
  
  Jul 21, 2017 at 1:19 pm
  
  Yeah, exactly. This measurement created by some “unknown physicist” is the C-dimension in MPF and has been published for most irons for years and years. There’s no secret special sauce in this data.
  
  Reply Report comment
S-maleBootieSlam

Jul 21, 2017 at 11:09 am

What a tool.

Reply Report comment
Jason

Jul 21, 2017 at 11:05 am

I think my IQ is lower after reading this.

Reply Report comment
Pixlputterman

Jul 21, 2017 at 11:03 am

Leave the politics out, PLEASE. I didnt read past the first paragraph.

Reply Report comment
Donald Trump

Jul 21, 2017 at 10:58 am

Your clubs would fit if they were single length. But you keep telling yourself they are a fad as you hit your snap hook OB.

Reply Report comment
Ray Koobatian

Jul 21, 2017 at 10:54 am

All golfers should always get fitted for their clubs, shafts, equipment. That being said whether you would like to play blades muscle backs or cavity backs should be a personal choice for each golfer. Playing something because you think it looks good should never be a determining factor in your selection of clubs. Also for those who have never played the professional tours, even a scratch index at your club level or public course level is not a determining factor for Q school or entry into the professional tours. Just ask Jerry Rice how that goes. He got his hat handed to him when he thought he could play the Nationwide tour a few years back.

Reply Report comment
- Jacob
  
  Jul 21, 2017 at 12:02 pm
  
  What’s wrong with playing a club because you think it looks good? Everyone has their own priorities.
  
  Reply Report comment
Greg V

Jul 21, 2017 at 10:54 am

Fun article. I forgot how much fun it is to practice with the eyes closes. As Percy Boomer used to say, when your eyes are closed, your senses are wide open. As a matter of fact, one summer I had a terrible time with my driver, and started hitting my tee shots with my eyes closes. Driver yips solved. Great game, right?

Reply Report comment
Desmond

Jul 21, 2017 at 10:51 am

Tough to find a fitter who will do what yours did for you.

But over the years, I’ve gone to ligher graphite shafts in irons, and my irons are more precise; I’ve gone to lighter shafts in driver and fwy metals, and while there is a balance, I find shafts that allow me to swing in balance. Still working on the eyes closed thing…

Reply Report comment
Patdugolf

Jul 21, 2017 at 10:30 am

What is this pile of words? Please cut this guy loose

Reply Report comment
Gordy

Jul 21, 2017 at 10:28 am

I play blades, but great article. I have recently thought about switching to a more game improvement iron just to see if the same thing as this article pointed out would happen to me. Only problem for me. I hit the ball really high and I think that more game improvement irons may make it go higher unless I flight the shafts down. But fun article.

Reply Report comment
- Bob Pegram
  
  Jul 23, 2017 at 2:09 am
  
  If you put high flex point, tip stiff shafts in the game improvement irons they may even hit the ball lower than your current clubs. Shafts – especially graphite – can be made to affect launch angle and spin rate a great deal as well as affecting other shot characteristics.
  
  Reply Report comment
Philip

Jul 21, 2017 at 10:25 am

A club is a club – play whatever you want – you don’t need to justify it to the world to be okay with what you want to play. I don’t play a blade (hard to get them anymore, anyways) so I play MBs. I do not play any worse with them over my SGi clubs, but I can get the ball closer to the hole with more precision – thus more birdies. Birdies are fun – I like fun, so I play the clubs that allow me to have more fun.

Reply Report comment
PXG PRO

Jul 21, 2017 at 10:25 am

WTF is this drivel?

Reply Report comment
Double Mocha Man

Jul 21, 2017 at 10:10 am

Bryan… thanks for the article with the color commentary. I have your old affliction… the pull hook. So the next time we sit down on that deck by the water for cocktails I will be hitting you up for funding for my new set of irons, with the sweet spot closer to the toe. But not to worry, I’ll pick up the drink tab.

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19th Hole

Vincenzi’s 2024 RBC Heritage betting preview: Patrick Cantlay ready to get back inside winner’s circle

Published

1 day ago

Apr 15, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

Just a two-hour drive from Augusta National, the PGA TOUR heads to Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Hilton Head Island is a golfer’s paradise and Harbour Town is one of the most beautiful and scenic courses on the PGA TOUR.

Harbour Town Golf Links is a par-71 that measures 7,121 yards and features Bermuda grass greens. A Pete Dye design, the course is heavily tree lined and features small greens and many dog legs, protecting it from “bomb-and-gauge” type golfers.

The field is loaded this week with 69 golfers with no cut. Last year was quite possibly the best field in RBC Heritage history and the event this week is yet another designated event, meaning there is a $20 million prize pool.

Most of the big names on the PGA Tour will be in attendance this week with the exceptions of Hideki Matsuyama and Viktor Hovland. Additionally, Webb Simpson, Shane Lowry, Gary Woodland and Kevin Kisner have been granted sponsors exemptions.

Past Winners at Harbour Town

2023: Matt Fitzpatrick (-17)
2022: Jordan Spieth (-13)
2021: Stewart Cink (-19)
2020: Webb Simpson (-22)
2019: CT Pan (-12)
2018: Sotoshi Kodaira (-12)
2017: Wesley Bryan (-13)
2016: Branden Grace (-9)
2015: Jim Furyk (-18)

In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).

Key Stats For Harbour Town

Let’s take a look at key metrics for Harbour Town Golf Links to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.

Strokes Gained: Approach

Strokes Gained: Approach is exceedingly important this week. The greens at Harbour Town are about half the size of PGA TOUR average and feature the second-smallest greens on the tour. Typical of a Pete Dye design, golfers will pay the price for missed greens.

Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds

Scottie Scheffler (+1.27)
Tom Hoge (+1.27)
Corey Conners (+1.16)
Austin Eckroat (+0.95)
Cameron Young (+0.93)

Good Drive %

The fairways at Harbour Town are tree lined and feature many dog legs. Bombers tend to struggle at the course because it forces layups and doesn’t allow long drivers to overpower it. Accuracy is far more important than power.

Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds

Brice Garnett (88.8%)
Shane Lowry (+87.2%)
Akshay Bhatia (+86.0%)
Si Woo Kim (+85.8%)
Sepp Straka (+85.1%)

Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye Designs

Pete Dye specialists tend to play very well at Harbour Town. Si Woo Kim, Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk and Webb Simpson are all Pete Dye specialists who have had great success here. It is likely we see some more specialists near the top of the leaderboard this week.

SG: TOT Pete Dye per round over past 36 rounds:

Xander Schauffele (+2.27)
Scottie Scheffler (+2.24)
Ludvig Aberg (+2.11)
Brian Harman (+1.89)
Sungjae Im (+1.58)

4. Strokes Gained: Short Game (Bermuda)

Strokes Gained: Short Game factors in both around the green and putting. With many green-side bunkers and tricky green complexes, both statistics will be important. Past winners — such as Jim Furyk, Wes Bryan and Webb Simpson — highlight how crucial the short game skill set is around Harbour Town.

SG: SG Over Past 24 Rounds

Jordan Spieth (+1.11)
Taylor Moore (+1.02)
Wyndham Clark (+0.98)
Mackenzie Hughes (+0.86)
Andrew Putnam (+0.83)

5. Greens in Regulation %

The recipe for success at Harbour Town Golf Links is hitting fairways and greens. Missing either will prove to be consequential — golfers must be in total control of the ball to win.

Greens in Regulation % over past 24 rounds:

Brice Garnett (+75.0%)
Scottie Scheffler (+69.9%)
Corey Conners (+69.0%)
Shane Lowry (+68.3%)
Patrick Rodgers (+67.6%)

6. Course History

Harbour Town is a course where players who have strong past results at the course always tend to pop up.

Course History over past 24 rounds:

Patrick Cantlay (+2.34)
Cam Davis (+2.05)
J.T. Poston (+1.69)
Justin Rose (+1.68)
Tommy Fleetwood (+1.59)

The RBC Heritage Model Rankings

Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (24%), Good Drives (20%), SG: SG (14%), SG: Pete Dye (14%), GIR (14%), and Course History (14%)

Shane Lowry
Russell Henley
Scottie Scheffler
Xander Schauffele
Corey Conners
Wyndham Clark
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Matt Fitzpatrick
Cameron Young
Ludvig Aberg

2024 RBC Heritage Picks

Patrick Cantlay +2000 (FanDuel)

With the exception of Scottie Scheffler, the PGA Tour has yet to have any of their star players show peak form during the 2024 season. Last week, Patrick Cantlay, who I believe is a top-5 players on the PGA Tour, took one step closer to regaining the form that’s helped him win eight events on Tour since 2017.

Cantlay limped into the Masters in poor form, but figured it out at Augusta National, finishing in a tie for 20th and ranking 17th for the week in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. The former FedEx Cup champion will now head to one of his favorite golf courses in Harbour Town, where he’s had immaculate results over the years. In his six trips to the course, he’s only finished worse than 7th one time. The other finishes include three third places (2017, 2019, 2023) and one runner-up finish (2022). In his past 36 rounds at Harbour Town, Cantlay ranks 1st in Strokes Gained: Total per round at the course by a wide margin (+2.36).

Cantlay is winless since the 2022 BMW Championship, which is far too long for a player of his caliber. With signs pointing to the 32-year-old returning to form, a “signature event” at Harbour Town is just what he needs to get back on the winning track.

Tommy Fleetwood +3000 (FanDuel)

I truly believe Tommy Fleetwood will figure out a way to win on American soil in 2024. It’s certainly been a bugaboo for him throughout his career, but he is simply too talented to go another season without winning a PGA Tour event.

At last week’s Masters Tournament, Fleetwood made a Sunday charge and ended up finishing T3 in the event, which was his best ever finish at The Masters. For the week, the Englishman ranked 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 10th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking and 16th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Harbour Town is a perfect layout for Fleetwood, and he’s had relative success at this Pete Dye design in the past. In his four trips to the course, he’s finished inside of the top 25 three times, with his best finish, T10, coming in 2022. The course is pretty short and can’t be overpowered, which gives an advantage to more accurate players such as Fleetwood. Tommy ranks 8th in the field in Good Drive % and should be able to plot his way along this golf course.

The win is coming for Tommy lad. I believe there’s a chance this treasure of a golf course may be the perfect one for him to finally break through on Tour.

Cameron Young +3300 (FanDuel)

Cameron Young had a solid Masters Tournament last week, which is exactly what I’m looking for in players who I anticipate playing well this week at the RBC Heritage. He finished in a tie for 9th, but never felt the pressure of contending in the event. For the week, Young ranked 6th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 6th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.

Despite being one of the longest players off the tee on the PGA Tour, Young has actually played some really good golf on shorter tracks. He finished T3 at Harbour Town in 2023 and ranks 20th in the field in Good Drive% and 16th in Greens in Regulation in his past 24 rounds. He also has strong finishes at other shorter courses that can take driver out of a players hand such as Copperhead and PGA National.

Young is simply one of the best players on the PGA Tour in 2024, and I strongly believe has what it takes to win a PGA Tour event in the very near future.

Corey Conners +5500 (FanDuel)

Corey Conners has had a disappointing year thus far on the PGA Tour, but absolutely loves Harbour Town.

At last week’s Masters Tournament, the Canadian finished T30 but ranked 20th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach. In his past 24 rounds, Conners ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 3rd in Greens in Regulation % and 24th in Good Drive %.

In Conners’ last four trips to Harbour Town, his worst finish was T31, last season. He finished T4 in 2021, T12 in 2022 and ranks 8th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course over his past 36 rounds.

Conners hasn’t been contending, but his recent finishes have been encouraging as he has finished in the top-25 in each of his past three starts prior to The Masters, including an impressive T13 at The PLAYERS. His recent improvement in ball striking as well as his suitability for Harbour Town makes Conners a high upside bet this week.

Shane Lowry (+7500) (FanDuel)

When these odds were posted after Lowry was announced in the field, I have to admit I was pretty stunned. Despite not offering much win equity on the PGA Tour over the last handful of years, Shane Lowry is still a top caliber player who has the ability to rise to the top of a signature event.

Lowry struggled to score at The Masters last week, but he actually hit the ball really well. The Irishman ranked 1st for Strokes Gained: Approach on the week and 7th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. As usual, it was the putter that let him down, as he ranked 60th in the field in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Harbour Town is most definitely one of Lowry’s favorite courses on the PGA Tour. In his six starts there, he’s finished in the top 10 three times, including third twice. Lowry is sensational at Pete Dye designs and ranks 7th in Strokes Gained: Total in his past 36 rounds on Dye tracks.

Lowry is perfect for Harbour Town. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 5th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 2nd in Good Drive% and 5th in Green in Regulation %. If he figures it out on the greens, Shane could have his first win in America since 2015.

Lucas Glover +12000 (FanDuel)

This is one of my weekly “bet the number” plays as I strongly believe the odds are just too long for a player of Glover’s caliber. The odds have been too long on Glover for a few weeks now, but this is the first event that I can get behind the veteran being able to actually contend at.

Glover is quietly playing good golf and returning to the form he had after the understandable regression after his two massive victories at the end of 2023. He finished T20 at The Masters, which was his best ever finish at Augusta National. For the week, Lucas ranked 18th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 20th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.

Over his past 24 rounds, Glover ranks 9th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th in Good Drive %. Harbour Town is a short course that the 44-year-old will be able to keep up with the top players on Tour off the tee. He’s played the course more than 20 times, with mixed results. His best finishes at Harbour Town include a T7 in 2008, but recently has a finish of T21 in 2020.

Glover has proven he can contend with the stars of the Tour on any given week, and this number is flat out disrespectful.

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19th Hole

Vincenzi: The 6 biggest takeaways from the 2024 Masters

Published

1 day ago

Apr 15, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

The 2024 Masters offered up plenty of excitement throughout the week with Scottie Scheffler delivering when it mattered to live up to his pre-tournament favorite tag. With the year’s opening major now in the books, here are my six biggest takeaways from the 2024 Masters.

Scheffler In a League of His Own

In the most impressive way possible, Scottie Scheffler won the Masters without having his absolute best stuff. For the week, Scottie ranked 19th in Strokes Gained: Approach, which is a category the number player in the world typically dusts the rest of the field in. After a strong approach day on Thursday, the 27-year-old lost strokes to the field on approach on Friday and Saturday, before gaining on Sunday. The iron performance was more than solid, but it was an all-around game that helped Scheffler get it done around Augusta National.

For a year or more, the narrative around Scheffler has been, “With his ball striking, if he can just putt to field average, he’ll be unbeatable.” At Augusta, his ball striking came back down to earth, but his touch around the greens and ability to manage the golf course demonstrated why he is the best player on the planet right now. For the week, Scheffler ranked 1st in the field in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and 24th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

For the time being, there is a major gap between Scottie Scheffler and the second-best player in the world, whoever that may be.

The Future is Now

Ludvig Aberg went into his first back-nine at the Masters with a legitimate shot to win the tournament. When he teed it up on the treacherous 11th hole, he was one behind Scottie Scheffler, who had just stuck one to a few feet on the 9th. By the time he approached his tee shot, which was perfectly striped down the left side of the fairway, he was two behind. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old got too aggressive with his approach at the 11th and found the water, making double bogey. Ludvig rebounded nicely and finished the event in solo second place.

With the Masters now in the rearview, it’s never been more evident that Ludvig Aberg is no longer an “up-and-comer” — he has arrived. The Swede has been an integral part of a winning European Ryder Cup team and has now contended at Augusta National. With a calm demeanor, a picture-perfect swing, and a build and stature that appears as if it was built in a lab, Ludvig Aberg is already amongst the world’s best. I’d be extremely surprised if he wasn’t in the mix at next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

Nostalgia Wins

I try to avoid as many cliches as possible, but there’s something about the Masters that brings out the sentimentality in me. Tiger Woods strategically making his way around Augusta National without all of the physical tools that made him arguably the most dominant athlete in the history of sports will always be riveting, regardless of what score he shoots. Woods made it interesting until a tough stretch of holes on Saturday, but he ultimately wore down, shooting 16 over for the week in difficult conditions. It’s remarkable that the 15-time major champion was able to put together a few solid rounds of golf despite barely playing any competitive golf in 2024. As long as Woods tees it up at Augusta, we will all continue to be mesmerized by it.

Verne Lundquist’s 40th and final Masters Tournament was also a must-watch aspect of the event. The iconic voice of Lundquist and his calls throughout the years still give me chills each time I hear them. Verne is an icon of the game and will be missed in future renditions of the Masters.

The Masters also brings another element that is unique to the tournament. Former champions turn back the clock to battle with the golf course again which creates some amazing stories. There are a few that stick out this year and were an absolute pleasure to witness. 61-year-old Vijay Singh made the cut for the first time since 2018 and shot a pretty incredible even-par, 72 on Sunday. 58-year-old José María Olazábal made the cut as well, reminding us why fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm sought his valuable advice prior to his Masters victory in 2022.

Regardless of who wins, the Masters always delivers.

Bryson Moves the Needle

Plenty will disagree with me on this point, but outside of Tiger Woods, and potentially Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, no one moves the needle in golf as much as Bryson DeChambeau. The uniqueness in which Bryson approaches the game has always been fascinating, and if he gets near the top of the leaderboard at any major championship, whether it’s to root for him or against him, people are interested.

It began on Monday with a pretty bizarre story of DeChambeau using 3D-printed irons that got just got cleared for use by the USGA when the week began. It once again felt like a storyline that would only be possible with a character as eccentric as Bryson. He then raced off to a first-round lead in tough conditions, reminding the world of what made him such a great golfer to begin with. He made some mistakes on the weekend, but still finished a career best T6 at The Masters.

Bryson is more than just quirky; he is a former U.S. Amateur Champion and U.S. Open who I believe will contend for more majors in the future. I will continue to root for DeChambeau, but I’m perfectly content with the fact that plenty will root against him, and I encourage those people to do so. That’s what makes it fun.

LIV Walks Away Empty-Handed

Last year, there were a multitude of questions about LIV players coming into the year’s first major. They had played very limited tournament golf, and critics of LIV questioned whether the 54-hole events were enough to sharpen the players enough to compete against the best in the world on the biggest stage.

The results were fascinating, with LIV players all over the leaderboard. Brooks Koepka held the 36- and 54-hole lead, with Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed finishing T2 and T4, giving LIV three golfers in the top-4 of the leaderboard.

This season, with even more time removed and with some more massive additions to the roster, the intrigue surrounding LIV players at Augusta was once again palpable. While some players, including Bryson DeChambeau, exceeded expectations, I can’t help but walk away from the Masters feeling underwhelmed by the performance of the LIV players.

Brooks Koepka finished runner-up last season and is a certified major championship killer. The 5-time major champ was never involved and simply didn’t have it at Augusta. Dustin Johnson put together a putrid performance, shooting 13 over for his two rounds, making it fair to wonder if his days of contending at major championships are over as he rapidly approaches his 40th birthday.

Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann were both players who were amongst the favorites this week, but Rahm was faced with the daunting duties of defending champion and Niemann proved he was still not quite ready to master the quirks of Augusta National, bleeding strokes both around and on the greens.

To be fair, when all was said and done, LIV had four players in the top twelve at The Masters. Tyrrell Hatton stormed the leaderboard early on Sunday, finishing T9 and earning himself an invite back to Augusta next season. Cam Smith and Patrick Reed put together gritty performances, which isn’t too surprising considering the fact that they both absolutely love Augusta National, but neither ever felt a real threat to win. There’s no doubt the players on LIV are good, and that’s why some encouraging leaderboard positions aren’t enough. They needed to contend.

With no players part of the storyline on Sunday, I view the first major of the year as a disappointment for LIV. The players will head into next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla with a lot to prove.

Rory’s Struggles Continues

Rory struggling at Augusta National is no surprise at this point. The four-time major champion has now had 10 attempts to complete the career grand slam and has never had a chance to win. His T2 in 2022 was deceiving, the Northern Irishman stormed the leaderboard on Sunday, but was never in contention, and never got within three shots of the winner, Scottie Scheffler.

I didn’t expect Rory to win, but I have to admit that this year felt a bit different. McIlroy played the week prior to the Masters, which he typically doesn’t do, and finished third at the Valero Texas Open. He gained 7.56 strokes on approach and 2.0 strokes off the tee, which told me that his visit with world-renowned swing coach, Butch Harmon, after the Players Championship paid dividends.

McIlroy also approached the media quite differently. He cut his pre-tournament press conference short after only 10 minutes and seemed to be laser-focused on just playing golf.

Despite the different approach to the Masters, the results were the same. McIlroy struggled over the course of the week, finishing T22 (+4) and never sniffed a decent weekend position on the leaderboard. It’s back to the drawing board for McIlroy, and I have doubts that he will ever figure it out at Augusta.

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19th Hole

Vincenzi: The 8 best prop bets for the 2024 Masters

Published

1 week ago

Apr 9, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

We’ve finally reached The Masters and excitement is at an all-time high. The world of golf has been fractured for the better part of two years, but for a week at Augusta National, all of the outside noise will disappear. All of the best players in the world will be together seeking to make history.

RELATED: Vincenzi’s 2024 Masters betting preview: Niemann to play star role at Augusta National

In addition to betting on The Masters champion. This is one of the few weeks of the year where there are so many more markets to explore, with value to be had in plenty of different categories.

Throughout this article, I’ll discuss all of my favorite props and players for the 2024 Masters.

Placement Bets:

Tony Finau Top 5 +750 (DraftKings):

I badly wanted to include Tony Finau in my outright betting selections, but I simply ran out of room on my card. Additionally, it’s slightly difficult to see him hitting the putts necessary to win the Masters on back nine on Sunday. However, I do strongly believe he will play great golf this week at Augusta National.

In his past 24 rounds, Finau ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Approach is always amongst the best drivers of the golf ball in the game. Back in 2019, Finau had a great chance to win The Masters. I expect him to be hanging around over the weekend once again in 2024.

Gary Woodland Top 20 +550 (DraftKings), Gary Woodland to make the cut -110 (DraftKings):

Last season, Gary Woodland had his best ever finish at The Masters in his eleven tries. The 39-year-old finished T14 and played incredibly steady across all four rounds.

In Woodland’s most recent start at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, he struck the ball incredibly well. He led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach (+8.8) and Strokes Gained: Ball Striking (+10.0).

Gary has been working with Butch Harmon and absolutely flushing the ball both in tournaments and during practice.

Woodland appears to be healthy once again and in a great place physically and mentally. If he can build off his impressive performance at Augusta last year, he can place inside the top ten in 2024.

Additionally, the make the cut number on Woodland seems generous considering the number of players who miss the cut will be relatively small this week. Woodland is striking it well enough to make the cut even if he’s hindered by a balky putter once again.

Thorbjorn Olesen Top 20 +400 (FanDuel):

The Thunder Bear, Thorbjorn Olesen, made his Masters debut in 2013 and finished an incredibly impressive T6 for the week. In the two additional starts he’s made at Augusta National since then, the Dane has continued to be incredibly solid, finishing T44 and T21.

This week, Olesen heads into the week playing some good golf. He gained 3.8 strokes on approach and 5.52 strokes around the green at last week’s Valero Texas Open on his way to a strong T14 finish. Back in January, he won the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour.

Olesen has the skill set to be successful at Augusta and seems primed for a good performance this week.

Top Nationalities:

Sergio Garcia Top Spanish Player +280 (DraftKings):

I believe Sergio Garcia can get into contention this week with the way he’s striking the ball in addition to his good vibes with a refurbished version of the Scotty Cameron that he used at the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah.

I am slightly concerned about the emotional letdown he may face after losing in a playoff at LIV Miami, but I believe a veteran and former Masters champion should be able to regroup and focus on an event far more meaningful.

This is essentially a tournament head-to-head with Jon Rahm at +280. While Rahm deserves to be respected this week, the history of the lack of success of defending champions at The Masters is difficult to ignore.

Joaquin Niemann Top South American Player -230 (FanDuel):

While I hate paying this much juice, I don’t see a world in which Joaquin Niemann isn’t the top South American this week at The Masters. Joaco comes in playing better golf than anyone in the world not named Scottie Scheffler and has a serious chance to win the green jacket.

He only needs to beat two players: Emiliano Grillo and Camilo Villegas.

Tournament Head-to-Heads:

Justin Thomas -110 over Collin Morikawa

JT isn’t having his best season but is playing a lot better than he is getting credit for at the moment. In the past three months, there are only six players on the PGA Tour who have averaged 1.7 Strokes Gained: Tee to Green or better. Justin Thomas (+1.7) is one of the six and is currently tied with Rory McIlroy (+1.7).

Morikawa, on the other hand, has been extremely poor with his irons, which is incredibly uncharacteristic for him. I can’t help but feel like something is completely off with the two-time major champion.

Tony Finau -110 over Wyndham Clark

I explained in the placement section why I’m so high on Tony Finau this week. With how well he’s striking the ball, it seems as if his floor is extremely high. I’m not sure if he can make the putts to win a green jacket but I believe he will be in the mix similarly to 2019 when Tiger Woods emerged from a crowded pack of contenders.

Clark is a debutant, and while some debutants have had success at The Masters, it certainly poses a challenge. I also don’t believe Augusta National suits Clark as well as some of the other major championship venues.

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