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6 Guidelines for Golf Course Style

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Rules. Before we’re even old enough to talk, our lives begin to revolve around rules. Don’t pick your nose. Bedtime. Chores. No Cinemax after 10 p.m. Don’t put that in your mouth (a pretty good rule even when you’re a adult). The thing about rules is that most of them seem like they’re created to keep us from having any fun. That’s just how life is.

When we get older, we have to worry about more rules; and then we start playing golf. The only game known to man that requires a 581-page rule book (plus an appendix). We already have enough rules to follow. So when I sat down to write this, I decided on guidelines instead. Guidelines are much easier to swallow than rules. So, these are not strict “must do’s.” They’re a collection of insights that can help you not look like a fool out there.

In 1991, Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam convinced every man in America that it was cool to not care how you looked, and since then, we’ve been treated to oversized flannels, baggy cargo pants and men just dressing like lazy slobs in general. Remember Tiger’s huge shirts and trousers that looked like parachute pants in the 90’s? Or the U.S. Ryder Cup Team’s shirts at Brookline that looked like Norman Rockwell had a few too many juleps and hurled on them? Ugh. Fortunately, there’s been a movement since around 2007. Men are starting to care again, and I love it.

For too long, we golfers had few viable options when it came to clothes for the course. Over the last few years, a wave of new companies has come to fix that. Linksoul, Travis Mathew, Devereux, and William Murray have become household golf names. But even the more established companies are stepping up their game, Puma and Ralph Lauren being two of the most notable. Some lesser known, but great lines are Q.E.D. and Rool Golf, as well as Black Clover. And you can never, EVER go wrong with anything from Arnold Palmer Apparel.

Disclaimer: I do not receive any monetary compensation from any of the companies that appear in this article. Just to make that clear.

Plenty of companies are offering modern options for you to look great, so there’s no reason to hit the course looking like you don’t belong… or you don’t respect where you are or the game you’re playing. Golf doesn’t need to be a stuffy dinner party, but it also shouldn’t look like a NASCAR tailgate party. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll never be accused of being ready for either.

1. Fit is (The) King

Arnie always knew how a shirt should fit.

Arnie knew how a shirt should fit.

This should be common sense, but a lot of guys overlook it. The finest shirt in the world will look like absolute garbage on you if it doesn’t fit correctly. Look at the tag, and look for the terms “Athletic Fit”, “Slim Fit,” or “Tailored Fit.” These cuts won’t be boxy or “blousey” like Tiger’s shirts from the 90s. And they’ll make you look slimmer.

Check the sleeves and make sure they don’t pass below your elbows. Just below the bicep is perfect. In shorts, length is paramount. No disrespect to Nike, but their shorts belong in a skate park. Most companies make their shorts too long. Check out Original Penguin for examples of how shorts should fit a grown man, ending just above the knee.

2. Forget about “Tech Fibers”

The biggest problem with the shiny, moisture-wicking performance fibers designed for athletic performance is exactly that. They aren’t designed for anything else. As soon as you step off the course, you look out of place. You can’t toss a cardigan on or a blazer and head to the bar for cocktails and trash talk wearing one; it’s just wrong. Choose something with natural fibers, something that’s actually woven. There’s nothing wrong with a little tech, but if it can’t go from the course to the lounge and then to dinner, it doesn’t need to be in your closet.

3. Respect your Feet

Canoos_Golf_Shoes

Canoos makes some of the coolest golf shoes around.

Those clunky, chunky, cheap golf shoes you found in the clearance section? That’s disrespect in the highest order. The first things someone notices about a man is his watch and his shoes. They don’t need to be FootJoy Icons (even though it’s a fantastic choice), but there are plenty of high quality options.

Adidas is killing it with old school sneaker styles. And please, PLEASE throw your sandal-spikes in the trash immediately. It’s worse than wearing Crocs if you aren’t a chef. If you really want to pull of the casual look with some character, check out Canoos. Its boat shoes and canvas sneakers are the coolest thing around right now.

4. Accessorize, But at Your Own Risk

Carrera Shades

Carrera Shades

The days of big, gawdy belt buckles are over. Get something nice and slim, or even something with a check or stripe on it. Even the white belt at this point is getting a little blah. Andre 3000 said that every man should have one thing in his wardrobe that “blings.” Not four, just one. That’s a fantastic guideline. Whether it’s your watch, your socks, your belt, or a bracelet, let one thing you wear pop from everything else.

As for sunglasses, unless you’re a track star, a Formula 1 driver, or Henrik Stenson, you don’t need the ultra techy wrap-around sport shades. Stick to something cool. Something smooth. A pair of Persols should do nicely, but there are plenty of cheaper options like something Steve McQueen would’ve worn on the course. Actually, just use Steve McQueen every time you ask, “Should I wear this?” You’ll be just fine.

5. White Pants (When to Stop)

I have a few pair of white trousers. You have to have a couple, because they get dirty in a hurry. I love wearing them, and I love that I see a ton of Tour guys wearing them. They’re incredibly sharp… but there really does come a point in the season when it’s not OK to wear white pants. Fall is for darker colors, earthy tones, and thicker fabrics. It’s rain-pant weather. Fall isn’t for the white pants you wore when playing in San Diego a few months ago. The Labor Day rule no longer applies, but it has been expanded thanks to GQ’s Style Guy, Glenn O’Brien (Miss you Glenn). As a general guideline, once the MLB Playoffs start, put the white pants away and let them sit until spring.

6. Okay, Maybe a Couple Rules

McQueen

I can’t list these as merely guidelines. It’s 2017, and certain things just should not be a part of your wardrobe. And to be honest, they never should have been in the first place:

  • Jean Shorts: Burn them. Burn. Every. Single. Pair. Now.
  • Ditch the Pleats: Are you smuggling two pigeons in your pants? No, you’re not.
  • Long White or Black Socks (with shorts): Either go for something like Stance Socks or stick with no-shows or ankle socks. If you’re going to show some sock game, better make sure it’s on fleek.
  • Dress Code Disrespect: There are plenty of courses I play that allow T-shirts, and I love playing in a T-shirt and shorts. But if a course has a dress code, just please respect it. Don’t be the guy who shows up in jeans and tries to get away with it by claiming he didn’t know. Don’t be that guy.

Most of us have office jobs or jobs that require wearing some type of uniform. The golf course is one of the remaining outlets for us to express our individual style. So have fun with it and enjoy it. It’s OK to put some thought into what you wear to the course, guys. Don’t let Grunge win.

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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"...

23 Comments

23 Comments

  1. Cliff

    Nov 6, 2017 at 11:29 am

    Credibility of author was gone once he admitted he owns and wears white pants……

  2. alanp

    Nov 4, 2017 at 3:16 pm

    nice article man. doesnt surprise me it is lost on most of the old dudes. they probably dont listen to music on the course either.

  3. Jimmy Ray

    Nov 3, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    I don’t know why y’all are hating on this article. It brings up some good points that a lot of you should follow. I’ve got a fabric tip for ya. I’m in the apparel business, and I can tell you that most guys don’t understand the difference between “wicking” and “breathable”. They’re not the same. Far from it. Nike DriFit is wicking. As a general rule, it doesn’t breathe (pique’s excepted). That goes for every poly shirt you own (Climacool, etc.), plus the nylon ones (Columbia fishing shirts, etc.). Yes, looks great when sweating and dries quickly. Cool? Not so much. And learn to love the stank, cause you ain’t wearing it more than once before washing. So what’s the alternative? An open weave like a cotton pique, linen or cotton/poly pique. I’m watching cotton make a big comeback, with Linksoul leading the way. Short of an 85 degree sticky day, their 65/35 blend fabric rocks. Will never wear plastic off the course again.

  4. Scott

    Nov 3, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    Spend, spend, spend spend. I am an over 50, happily married, golfer. Who am I trying to impress? Sure, I try to look nice, but I am not going out clubbing after I play. When you tee off before 7:30 in the morning, why wouldn’t I want to a high tech golf shirt? All I am doing, before I get back to the rest of what I need to do for the rest of the day, is golfing. Then guess what, I am putting on lawn mowing clothes, or going to take the kids wherever clothes. Yes, some of my shirts and shorts look better than others, but oh well.

  5. steve mcqueen

    Nov 3, 2017 at 2:51 pm

    If you worried more about your game and less about you clothes you might not be an “aspiring tour pro” anymore.

  6. Ronald Ousterhaus

    Nov 2, 2017 at 1:54 pm

    Great… another elitist article on how to do golf right. I wonder if other sports and recreational activities worry so much about whether you can transition to dinner in a blazer or not (dinner jackets, really?!). I get that a lot of golfers belong to clubs etc., but that is not golf. That’s a lifestyle. Too many people get these confused.

  7. Rano

    Nov 2, 2017 at 8:36 am

    “There’s nothing wrong with a little tech, but if it can’t go from the course to the lounge and then to dinner”

    I don’t know why people insist on wearing the same thing they just wore on the course, out for dinner. Get changed, not only will you look better, you’ll smell better too…

    • Scott

      Nov 3, 2017 at 2:46 pm

      Yes, Rano. it is called a golf shirt for a reason.

  8. C.B.

    Nov 2, 2017 at 2:04 am

    1991? What on earth are you talking about? Grunge? Don’t you know the 60’s? That’s when “wear whatever the heck you want” started. Not in the 90’s! I guess you’re too young to know anything.
    The 90’s in sports clothing and clothing in general all across the globe was all about baggy and large – all you have to do is look at the football (soccer) kits in the 90’s and you’ll know exactly how we got out of the short-shorts of the 80’s and landed there.
    Complete shank to this article. Do be so kind as to never write anything again about fashion.

    • Bryan Metzler

      Nov 2, 2017 at 8:42 pm

      I might not be old enough to remember the 60’s, but I’ve done more than enough research on the evolution of clothing and style over the decades. You’re right about two things. The clothes in the 90’s were WAY too baggy, that’s exactly what I was saying. And, they did wear whatever they wanted in the 60’s. But where you’re mistaken is that the clothing in the 60’s was absolutely about looking good and putting on a show and who had the flashiest outfit or the biggest bell-bottoms. 60’s fashion was all about rebellion from the drab grey button down world of the 50’s, and they wanted everyone to notice them, especially across the pond. The grunge style was a rebellion in the opposite way, trying to look as boring as possible after the “Everyday is a Fashion Show” mentality of the 80’s. I may have forgotten (i.e., been too hungover) to do my homework in Poli-Sci in college, but I paid attention to the stuff that really makes the world go round.

      • C.B.

        Nov 3, 2017 at 3:34 am

        I was talking about the hippies, duh, in counterpoint to how you brought up Pearl Jam and grunge. So no, the 60’s was not all about looking good and clean like James Bond. Early 60’s as it bled on from the 50’s may be, but the mid to late 60’s was grimy and dirty, hippy culture and such bleeding into the 70’s with the tie-dye and whatnot, Woodstock? Not clean and dapper, is it? Easy Rider, the rebel biker imagery and styles? We’re not talking about Flannel Suits there, my friend! In the 90’s yeah we had flannel shirts with grunge and unkept hair, for sure! 80’s was not every day is a fashion show. What on earth are you blethering about? The first 4 years of the 80’s may have been strangely bright and post-punk and color mohawks and heavy metal and big hair bands and such, but after 85? Less so. There was a yearning for the 50’s and it went back to clean cut and straight jeans again, less color crazy – Back to the Future? But, yeah, I am not mistaken. You are. I don’t think you paid attention at all. You missed out on a lot.

  9. Hans

    Nov 1, 2017 at 6:22 pm

    if you live in a hot/humid climate, not wearing tech fabrics isnt really an option. go wet out a cotton shirt with sweat and it wont look good off the course anyway. perhaps for some climates the natural fibers look good off the course advice works, but it just is a big fail anywhere hot/humid.

    • Cameron

      Nov 1, 2017 at 11:06 pm

      Glad someone said it! 35* summer days mean high-tech breathable fabric is a necessity!

  10. James

    Nov 1, 2017 at 3:45 pm

    You lost me when you used “on fleek”

  11. Acemandrake

    Nov 1, 2017 at 3:00 pm

    Dress like an adult and you won’t need any other attire guidelines/rules.

  12. Huh?

    Nov 1, 2017 at 2:46 pm

    Unless you plan to be on “the beach” all day please don’t show up at the course wearing ankle socks. So inappropriate. . .

  13. DoubleMochaMan

    Nov 1, 2017 at 12:05 pm

    I never understand white pants in the off-season, playing in the mud. Or even khakis…

  14. Golfer

    Nov 1, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    Dress for success. (And to feel good) Look the part. You can always be buried in your jeans, t-shirt and ball cap. Don’t rush it.

  15. Andrew

    Nov 1, 2017 at 11:59 am

    Nobody rocks their clothing on and off the course like Adam Scott and Miguel Angel Jimenez. It’s not even a contest. Strive for that.

  16. Andrew

    Nov 1, 2017 at 11:55 am

    “Oooh. White pants! Who’s that?”
    – Trashy bimbo in heals at the Phoenix Open.

    Don’t be that guy, Bryan.

  17. Smith

    Nov 1, 2017 at 11:45 am

    I like everything about this article, but there’s one thing I always find is missing when golf course style discussions take place, and that’s the issue of ankle socks with pants.

    JT is one of the most stylish golfers out there, no doubt, but I hate that he’s always rocking white ankle socks with his outfits. This article takes issue with long socks with shorts – why not the other way around as well?

    • Jacob

      Nov 2, 2017 at 9:55 am

      Agreed. Ankle socks with shorts, crew socks with pants, and no-show socks with the garbage can.

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Opinion & Analysis

The Wedge Guy: What really makes a wedge work? Part 1

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Of all the clubs in our bags, wedges are almost always the simplest in construction and, therefore, the easiest to analyze what might make one work differently from another if you know what to look for.

Wedges are a lot less mysterious than drivers, of course, as the major brands are working with a lot of “pixie dust” inside these modern marvels. That’s carrying over more to irons now, with so many new models featuring internal multi-material technologies, and almost all of them having a “badge” or insert in the back to allow more complex graphics while hiding the actual distribution of mass.

But when it comes to wedges, most on the market today are still single pieces of molded steel, either cast or forged into that shape. So, if you look closely at where the mass is distributed, it’s pretty clear how that wedge is going to perform.

To start, because of their wider soles, the majority of the mass of almost any wedge is along the bottom third of the clubhead. So, the best wedge shots are always those hit between the 2nd and 5th grooves so that more mass is directly behind that impact. Elite tour professionals practice incessantly to learn to do that consistently, wearing out a spot about the size of a penny right there. If impact moves higher than that, the face is dramatically thinner, so smash factor is compromised significantly, which reduces the overall distance the ball will fly.

Every one of us, tour players included, knows that maddening shot that we feel a bit high on the face and it doesn’t go anywhere, it’s not your fault.

If your wedges show a wear pattern the size of a silver dollar, and centered above the 3rd or 4th groove, you are not getting anywhere near the same performance from shot to shot. Robot testing proves impact even two to three grooves higher in the face can cause distance loss of up to 35 to 55 feet with modern ‘tour design’ wedges.

In addition, as impact moves above the center of mass, the golf club principle of gear effect causes the ball to fly higher with less spin. Think of modern drivers for a minute. The “holy grail” of driving is high launch and low spin, and the driver engineers are pulling out all stops to get the mass as low in the clubhead as possible to optimize this combination.

Where is all the mass in your wedges? Low. So, disregarding the higher lofts, wedges “want” to launch the ball high with low spin – exactly the opposite of what good wedge play requires penetrating ball flight with high spin.

While almost all major brand wedges have begun putting a tiny bit more thickness in the top portion of the clubhead, conventional and modern ‘tour design’ wedges perform pretty much like they always have. Elite players learn to hit those crisp, spinny penetrating wedge shots by spending lots of practice time learning to consistently make contact low in the face.

So, what about grooves and face texture?

Grooves on any club can only do so much, and no one has any material advantage here. The USGA tightly defines what we manufacturers can do with grooves and face texture, and modern manufacturing techniques allow all of us to push those limits ever closer. And we all do. End of story.

Then there’s the topic of bounce and grinds, the most complex and confusing part of the wedge formula. Many top brands offer a complex array of sole configurations, all of them admittedly specialized to a particular kind of lie or turf conditions, and/or a particular divot pattern.

But if you don’t play the same turf all the time, and make the same size divot on every swing, how would you ever figure this out?

The only way is to take any wedge you are considering and play it a few rounds, hitting all the shots you face and observing the results. There’s simply no other way.

So, hopefully this will inspire a lively conversation in our comments section, and I’ll chime in to answer any questions you might have.

And next week, I’ll dive into the rest of the wedge formula. Yes, shafts, grips and specifications are essential, too.

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Golf's Perfect Imperfections

Golf’s Perfect Imperfections: Amazing Session with Performance Coach Savannah Meyer-Clement

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In this week’s episode, we spent some time with performance coach Savannah Meyer-Clement who provides many useful insights that you’ll be able to implement on the golf course.

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19th Hole

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

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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

  1. Scottie Scheffler (+1.27)
  2. Tom Hoge (+1.27)
  3. Corey Conners (+1.16)
  4. Austin Eckroat (+0.95)
  5. 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

  1. Brice Garnett (88.8%)
  2. Shane Lowry (+87.2%)
  3. Akshay Bhatia (+86.0%)
  4. Si Woo Kim (+85.8%)
  5. 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:

  1. Xander Schauffele (+2.27)
  2. Scottie Scheffler (+2.24)
  3. Ludvig Aberg (+2.11)
  4. Brian Harman (+1.89)
  5. 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

  1. Jordan Spieth (+1.11)
  2. Taylor Moore (+1.02)
  3. Wyndham Clark (+0.98)
  4. Mackenzie Hughes (+0.86)
  5. 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:

  1. Brice Garnett (+75.0%)
  2. Scottie Scheffler (+69.9%)
  3. Corey Conners (+69.0%)
  4. Shane Lowry (+68.3%)
  5. 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:

  1. Patrick Cantlay (+2.34)
  2. Cam Davis (+2.05)
  3. J.T. Poston (+1.69)
  4. Justin Rose (+1.68)
  5. 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%)

  1. Shane Lowry
  2. Russell Henley
  3. Scottie Scheffler
  4. Xander Schauffele
  5. Corey Conners 
  6. Wyndham Clark
  7. Christiaan Bezuidenhout
  8. Matt Fitzpatrick
  9. Cameron Young
  10. 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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