Can this performance center change golf culture in Los Angeles?
I have been playing golf for almost 20 years, and have had the good fortune of living in good golf places like Seattle, Palm Desert and Orange County. Each offer facilities where golfers of all income and ability levels can enjoy and improve at the game throughout the year. Being an avid golfer in the greater Los Angeles area is far from marvelous, however, and has been a totally different experience all together.
The main obstacle to Los Angeles golf is that there are only two ways to play. The first option is the best; you’re lucky enough to call Riviera, Bel Air, Los Angeles Country Club or Wilshire your golfing home. For most golfers, however, option two is the only choice: playing one of the very few (and very crowded) municipal courses in town. Much like the U.S. economy, Los Angeles golf has no middle class.
There’s no question that there’s great golf to be had in Los Angeles. Rancho Park Municipal is legendary, and designed by William Johnson and William Bell, famous for their work at Bel Air and the Stanford Golf Course. Good luck getting a tee time, though. The course is visited by more golfers every year than any other municipal track in the country. Golfers can also find gems if they’re willing to drive 30 miles or more away from the city. Rustic Canyon in Moorpark, California, for example, is one of best the hidden masterpieces in all of the U.S. The links-style Gil Hanse, Geoff Shackelford and Jim Wagner course was voted Golf Magazine’s No. 1 Best Value in the U.S. in 2010. At $43 during weekly prime hours and $66 on the weekends, it’s almost like stealing. But Rustic Canyons are few and far between in Los Angeles county.
Let me be clear: I don’t think using public or even private money to develop more courses is necessarily the answer for Los Angeles golf. The city has extremely limited space, and land is very expensive. Better utilizing the space Los Angeles DOES have is the key. That will take people who care about growing golf, and are willing to innovate the system. The good news is I found a few of them, and I think they can change Los Angeles golf for the better.
Urban Golf Performance
I’ve been a GolfWRX Member since the site was founded in 2005, so it’s no coincidence that I discovered Urban Golf Performance in my search for a new custom club fitter. UGP was recently voted the Best Place to Get Custom Fit in Los Angeles by Golf Digest, and a Top-100 fitter in the U.S. But being a GolfWRXer, I looked deep into the UGP’s Yelp page before I decided to give them a call. Most of the reviews seemed to contain the same phrases: “Everyone at UGP was either amazing, helpful, patient, knowledgeable or passionate,” and five-star ratings were plentiful. That prompted me to reach out to UGP Founder, Mackenzie “Mac” Todd, for this story.
I walked into Urban Golf Performance on a cool crisp morning. It’s in West Los Angeles, in an unassuming, cement-colored building wedged between local sandwich shops and furniture outlets. Once you walk thru the door, though, the experience is full golf bliss. To put it simply, it’s an elegant space with all things technology built into it. I was greeted by a friendly staff member, who took my clubs, parked my car and got me a beverage. Country-club treatment, but you don’t get the vibe that you’re at a country club. Case in point, Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall was blaring from the house speakers when I arrived.
UGP’s space is set up in a very specific way, complementing the approach the company takes to help golfers improve their scores. The first thing I noticed was the fitness/rehabilitation area. In some cases, the UGP team won’t put a club in a golfer’s hands until they have been throughly evaluated from a health standpoint. That’s rare in this industry, given the turn-and-burn mentality that often dominates the golf instruction. It’s risky, too. Most golfers want to be hitting shots as soon as they arrive for their lesson or fitting, and to risk disappointing a consumer by challenging their expectations takes a lot of conviction.
Past the main greeting area and fitness lab is a set of French doors, which lead golfers into UGP’s golf laboratory. It’s literally wall to wall with indoor hitting bays, each of them equipped with a Trackman and a SwingCatalyst mat. There are tables of golf clubs components that will make most GolfWRX members drool, too: PXG, Ping, Mizuno, Edel, Miura, Titleist… on and on.
After taking the tour, I sat down with UGP head swing coach Ben Smock, as well as Kris Brennan who specializes in bio-mechanics. I wasn’t conducting the interview, though; they were. Why did I love golf? How did I start? Who coached me? What sports did I play as a kid? Did I have any injuries? What was my handicap? What were my golf goals? It was like golf emotional therapy, and I could feel that the plan wasn’t to fix anything that day. They were learning who I was as a student, first and foremost, and I was, too.
Finally, we made our way to the hitting bay, but before I touched a club Brennan put me through a full physical-capability screening. He tested my flexibility and rotary movement using specific movements as identifiers for the good, the bad and the ugly. In another assessment, Smock and Brennan pinpointed the things in my swing that I did well. They explained how my body moved from the ground up, and how my physical limitations “could” cause issues. They stayed away from discussions of swing theories or specific fixes, however.
“It’s easier to make someone worse than it is to make them better, so you have to be discerning, must have perspective, must have integrity and you need to know your stuff,” Smock said.
What I liked about Ben’s approach during the evaluation was that he wanted to build my swing around the functional, athletic movements I already had, because according to him, “You always want to hang on to the good stuff that you can’t teach.” It made sense. How could I not develop faster with a foundation that allowed me to move naturally?
I hit balls for 45 minutes with all my different clubs to gather launch monitor data, and then was taken to the fitness area to spend some time with Director of Physical Therapy Noolee Kim, which was by far the most humbling experience. The simple exercises Dr. Kim had me doing required every fiber of my being to accomplish. I’ve had a tight right shoulder for years, but I’ve never had any of feedback from a swing coach that identified this as a key area to work on or discuss. I always heard, “the club is too far inside” or “you’re across the line … you’re stuck and you pop out of your posture.” All true, but no one ever told me why. Why does my body move that way, and what am I physically doing to compensate for it? Good info to have, I think.
It’s not that I’m expecting my coaches to be doctors, but it does say something about the amount of thought that went into UGP. If Ben Smock was my regular instructor, he would have access to someone onsite who knew my physical limitations. The best example I can think of is for someone trying to lose weight; training at UGP is like having your nutritionist, trainer, cook and physical therapist all in one place at the same time. Sounds like fantasy land, right? For a lot of golfers, the cost and availability of such experts make the experience impossible. UGP is trying to change that.
At the end of my day, I sat down for the part of the experience that led me to UGP. Master club builder Matt Mora told me his philosophy on fitting and building custom clubs, and how it has evolved during his time at UGP. It felt different than I expected, though. Equipment was starting to feel like a piece of my golfing puzzle, rather than the object of obsession I’ve tended to make it in the past. And Mora explained why all the different clubs I’ve used haven’t done much to lower my handicap.
“I now understand why traditional instruction and fitting don’t improve handicaps by themselves,” Mora said. “In a traditional fitting session, the player is fit for clubs, swing flaws included. I’ve spoken with other fitters about improving the flaws, but majority feel it is not their place.”
There are two main obstacles Mora said he faces consistently with players; the first is preferred performance. What that means is, on average, most weekend players just want to hit a draw and will get whatever club allows that. This leads to the second dilemma Mora faces, which is re-educating players to seek what clubs they need to actually get better. It matters what clubs golfers like, but only to a certain point. This is where the focused teaching of UGP comes in, developing the whole player.
You might be surprised to hear that three notable equipment companies do not have a presence at UGP: TaylorMade, Callaway and Nike. It isn’t because they’re not up to performance standards, though. Mora called the products from all the leading equipment companies “exceptional,” but he chooses his components based not only on quality, but also release frequencies. From a builder standpoint, it’s hard to fine-tune a set for a player if their driver head changes every six months. It may work for PGA Tour players, but for the average player changing clubs can have the same damaging effect of changing swing philosophies every six months.
It’s also true that equipment sometimes has to change with the player, according to Mora. While instruction has improved with modern technology, it does not always address club specifications as the possible cause of swing flaws. Golfers can have a great practice session and feel really good about their game, but then find themselves struggling the next round. Sometimes it’s physical or mechanical, but poor-fitting clubs can also be the catalyst of reverting golfers into their bad habits. In a sense, clubs are living, breathing thing that can be adjusted, much like a golfer’s swing.
“For every development in swing dynamic, there should be a change within the club specifications to reinforce the changes,” Mora said. “My primary goal is to educate the player about how their clubs affect their swing, either positively or negatively. I then attempt to cater the club specifications to where the swing should be in order to ensure efficiency and consistency. I see the club as a template that should reflect proper swing dynamic in correlation with the player’s physical ability.”
Plans for growth
UGP’s plans to grow the are simple; do it organically. Short, specific expansion is refining the company’s second location in Inglewood near Los Angeles International Airport, where UGP will be the Swing Catalyst Research Center for the U.S. Over the next two-to-three years, the company plans to add locations in the San Fernando Valley, Orange County and establish a few more locations in Los Angeles.
The biggest roadblock? Like all premium products in the golf industry, it’s price. An assessment at UGP costs $195, and a single coaching session costs $165. There’s a discount for 10 sessions ($1,450), and the rate improves as golfers buy 20 sessions ($2,500) or 50 sessions ($5,500). Golfers will react to those price points differently, of course, but it’s clear that golfers aren’t just paying for a better game. UGP sees a broader path for its clients than lowering their scores and hitting better shots.
Founder MacKenzie “Mac” Todd told me a story about one UGP golfer in particular. His professional career was flourishing, but like most people he struggled to seriously improve his game. And with his busy schedule, he didn’t believe UGP could help him. He was gifted UGP sessions for his birthday, and decided to give it a shot. He would spend an hour at UGP, and then go back to living his life. After working with Todd and his team, the man is passionate about golf again. More importantly, his awareness of who he is as a golfer has transcended his game. Now he’s balancing his busy schedule better, despite spending more time on his golf game. He’s enjoying golf more, he says, and enjoying life more, too.
In my experience, it’s the golfers who are most resistant to change who tend to be the most vocal about how impossible golf is, and how it isn’t any fun. A case could be made that places like UGP should have been built sooner, before the game’s much detailed decline. The technology wasn’t really there yet, however. That being said, UGP really isn’t about its machines.
UGP and its staff are challenging what many golfers and many in the golf industry want to believe. There’s no new club, exercise or swing tip that’s going to immediately change a golfer’s game. It takes commitment, and an investment of time and money. In a nutshell the conviction to know what you are doing is the right path regardless of the obstacles: financial or social.
What kind of person has the money and time to engage in something like this? Truthfully, probably the same group of Los Angeles golfer who belong to the elite country clubs most of us yearn to play. But this Los Angeles case study still could be perfect. People are always moving in and out of the city, and for that reason they’re often compelled to try new things. If UGP is right, its practices could spread across the golf world and make an important difference. If UGP is wrong, we will know quickly; LA has a big mouth. But so far the proof is in the pudding. There are a lot of 5-star Yelp reviews, membership is growing by the week and the UGP staff is having as much fun as ever watching its vision becomes a reality.
- LIKE244
- LEGIT135
- WOW138
- LOL3
- IDHT0
- FLOP2
- OB1
- SHANK13
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.
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.
- LIKE9
- LEGIT5
- WOW3
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK2
It’s been over nine months since we saw Brian Harman parlay a dominant performance at Royal Liverpool into a claret jug. After another major offseason filled with a feud between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, talks of a merger, and a multitude of questions regarding the future of the game, the golf world is desperate for all of the best players in the world to come together again for a major championship.
We return to Augusta National with excitement at a fever pitch. Scottie Scheffler has separated himself as the best player in the world heading into the Masters. At the moment, the 27-year-old seems to be an unstoppable force. However, questions about Scheffler’s up-and-down putter once again resurfaced as he missed multiple short putts at the Texas Children’s Houston Open including a 5’11” putt to force a playoff with Stephan Jaeger.
Additionally, a handful of the PGA Tour’s top players such as Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, Will Zalatoris, Patrick Cantlay, Tommy Fleetwood and Jordan Spieth make their way to Augusta National with their current form in question.
Plenty of LIV golfers may be up to the task of conquering Augusta, but with so much time in between the last two majors, it’s not always easy to decipher how their games will stack up against Scheffler and co.
Last year, some important changes were made at Augusta National. The par-5 13th (Azalea) was lengthened by 35 yards and now measures 545 yards. Last year, Azalea played as the toughest of the four par 5s, and players averaged 4.74 for the week, which was down from 4.85 in 2022. However, eagles, birdies and bogeys were all up, so the lengthening achieved less pars, which equals more excitement.
Without further ado, let’s get into the course breakdown and analyze some important statistics for Augusta National.
Augusta National is now a 7,510-yard par-72 with lightning-fast Bentgrass greens. The course’s primary defenses are the contoured greens, swirling crosswinds, the topography of the course, which creates uneven lies and the small landing areas that golfers will need to hit to avoid tight run-off areas around the greens.
Past Winners at the Masters
- 2023: Jon Rahm (-12)
- 2022: Scottie Scheffler (-10)
- 2021: Hideki Matsuyama (-10)
- 2020: Dustin Johnson (-20)
- 2019: Tiger Woods (-13)
- 2018: Patrick Reed (-15)
- 2017: Sergio Garcia (-9)
- 2016: Danny Willett (-5)
- 2015: Jordan Spieth (-18)
- 2014: Bubba Watson (-8)
- 2013: Adam Scott (-9)
- 2012: Bubba Watson (-10)
- 2011: Charl Schwartzel (-14)
- 2010: Phil Mickelson (-16)
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 Augusta National
Let’s take a look at the six most important metrics at Augusta National and determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds. This should give us a good starting point for building out a betting card.
Strokes Gained: Approach
Approach is historically the most important statistic at Augusta National. The sloping, speedy greens and run-off areas create small landing spots that can be difficult to hit.
Last year, Jon Rahm ranked 6th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach. Overall, five of the past seven winners at Augusta have ranked in the top 6 in the category. Distance helps, but Augusta National is a second-shot golf course.
Total Strokes Gained: Approach in past 24 rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.30)
- Corey Conners (+0.99)
- Shane Lowry (+0.88)
- Tony Finau (+0.85)
- Austin Eckroat (+0.85)
Course History
More so than any other course on TOUR, familiarity with Augusta National is crucial. Only one player has ever won the Masters on their first try — Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. Meanwhile, there are 17 golfers in history who have multiple green jackets.
In most cases, the Masters champion has shown some good form at Augusta in the past. Prior to Scottie Scheffler’s 2022 victory, he finished T19 and T18 in his first two trips to the course. Prior to 2023, Rahm had finished in the top-10 of four of his six starts at The Masters.
Total Strokes Gained: Total at Augusta National in past 36 rounds (per round, minimum eight rounds):
- Will Zalatoris (+2.91)
- Jon Rahm (+2.28)
- Jordan Spieth (+2.22)
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.22)
- Dustin Johnson (+2.01)
- Rory McIlroy (+2.00)
- Hideki Matsuyama (+1.90)
- Justin Rose (+1.85)
- Rickie Fowler (+1.72)
- Russell Henley (+1.60)
Par 4 Scoring Average
Since plenty of players can reach the par 5s at Augusta in two, par-4 scoring becomes more important. The golfer who separates themselves on the par 4s will be able to gain ground on the field.
Par 4 Scoring Average in past 24 rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+3.88)
- Chris Kirk (+3.92)
- Jordan Spieth (+3.93)
- Peter Malnati (+3.93)
- Xander Schauffele (+3.93)
Strokes Gained: Around the Green
Golfers with a solid short game tend to fare well at Augusta National. The run-off areas are treacherous, and players will often be scrambling to get up and down.
The majority of players who have won at Augusta National have a great short game and have shown consistent ability to get up and down from tough spots.
Total Strokes Gained: Around the Green in past 24 rounds:
- Hideki Matsuyama (+0.71)
- Scottie Scheffler (+0.66)
- Patrick Reed (+0.61)
- Xander Schauffele (+0.53)
- Lucas Glover (+0.51)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Augusta National is most definitely a second shot golf course. Golfers can get away with a missed fairway here and there, however, it’s important that the misses with driver aren’t too wide of the target or there is serious trouble to be had.
Total Strokes Gained: Off the Tee in past 24 rounds:
- Bryson DeChambeau (+1.04)
- Rory McIlroy (+0.85)
- Scottie Scheffler (+0.84)
- Xander Schauffele (+0.71)
- Ludvig Aberg (+0.68)
Strokes Gained Putting: Fast Bentgrass
The USGA calculates that, on average, the greens at Augusta National are the fastest greens in the country. Three-putting is fairly common at Augusta and golfers must be able to combat the speed of the greens with effective lag putting.
Total Strokes Gained: Putting on Fast Bentgrass in past 24 rounds:
- Justin Rose (+1.43)
- Sahith Theegala (+0.97)
- Min Woo Lee (+0.88)
- Cameron Smith (+0.70)
- Patrick Reed (+0.70)
Statistical Model
Below, I’ve reported overall model rankings using a combination of the six key statistical categories previously discussed.
These rankings are comprised of SG: App (25%); Course History (16%); Par 4 Scoring Average (10%); SG: Putting on Fast Bentgrass (16%); SG: OTT (16%). and SG: ARG (16%).
Last year, Jon Rahm ranked first in this model
- Scottie Scheffler
- Xander Schauffele
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Tony Finau
- Justin Thomas
- Shane Lowry
- Will Zalatoris
- Corey Conners
- Si Woo Kim
- Rory McIlroy
- Stephan Jaeger
- Jordan Spieth
- Chris Kirk
- Keegan Bradley
- Wyndham Clark
- Sahith Theegala
- Russell Henley
- Collin Morikawa
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Patrick Reed
My 2023 Pick:
Jon Rahm (+950) (FanDuel)
A few months ago, I never thought that I’d be able to say that Rahm would be going slightly under the radar heading into the 2023 Masters. It’s not that Rahm has done anything wrong, but both Scheffler and McIlroy have undoubtedly surpassed him as the scorching hot, super-elite, top of the market betting favorite category.
Since his win at Riviera, the Spaniard has finished 39th at Bay Hill, withdrew at The Players Championship, and failed to get out of the group stage at the WGC Dell Match Play. On the other hand, Scheffler won The PLAYERS Championship and McIlroy finished third at the WGC Dell Match Play.
Rahm has made six starts at The Masters and has come in the top-10 in four of them. The 28-year-old has incredible power off the tee, a requirement at Augusta which always plays longer than the scorecard indicates. He’s also incredible around the greens and ranks third in the field in Strokes Gained: Short Game, which is a combination of around the green play and putting, in his past 24 rounds.
As we’ve seen over the years at The Masters, having the ability to chip and putt your way out of difficult situations is a fundamental aspect of getting it done at Augusta National.
While Scheffler has made a strong case to be viewed as the world’s best player, I still believe that title belongs to Rahm. This will be the year Rahmbo joins the ranks of Seve Ballesteros, José María Olazábal, and Sergio Garcia as natives of Spain to don a green jacket.
2024 The Masters Picks
Brooks Koepka +2500 (DraftKings)
In order to win the 2024 Masters, a player will have to go toe-to-toe with Scottie Scheffler, who’s hitting the ball as anyone in golf over the last two seasons. When building a betting card this week, it’s important for me to choose players that I believe can stare Scheffler down on the weekend at Augusta National. Brooks Koepka fits that bill.
Koepka’s lackluster performance at LIV Miami is concerning, but he’s the type of player who can turn it on quickly during the week of a major championship. Although I’d have preferred, he played well last week, I’ll take the odds discount we got as a result of his most recent results.
Prior to LIV Miami, Koepka appeared to be in solid form. He finished in the top twelve in four of five starts on LIV this season. When it comes to the five-time major champion, it’s well known that he has another gear for major championships. Everything he’s done both in the off-season and during the LIV season is to gear up for the year’s first major at Augusta National.
In his past five starts at Augusta National, the 33-year-old has three top-7 finishes, including two runners-up. The two years when he played poorly (2019 and 2020) were when he was nowhere near 100% healthy. All signs point to Brooks being in a great place physically as we enter major season.
Last year, Koepka was the 36 and 54-hole leader prior to letting the green jacket slip away to Jon Rahm. He used the result as a springboard to win his 5th major at Oak Hill at the PGA Championship.
Brooks enters the week looking to get one step closer to achieving the career grand slam and golf fans would be foolish to rule him out.
Joaquin Niemann +2800 (BetRivers)
Full disclosure, I bet Niemann the second he was invited to The Masters back in February at +8000. Although the odds have shortened dramatically since then, I can’t pretend that the Chilean isn’t one of the players who has a real chance to win the 2024 Masters.
While I was speaking with Niemann back in March, he told me how much he loves Augusta National.
“Yeah, it’s a place that I love. I’ve been playing good golf. Especially last year, I wasn’t playing my best golf, and I had a good week there and made triple on 11 that kind of killed me a little bit.
I feel like I’m getting more ready and more prepared every time. My game is getting better too. I know that I’m playing good enough to be in that situation that I can have a chance to win the Masters and it’s all about how I react to that situation.
So yeah, I’m going to prepare myself to be ready for that situation if it happens and I can fight for the title on the Sunday which would be awesome.”
As Niemann alluded to, the Chilean was able to have his best career finishes at The Masters (T16) despite not being in the best form. This year, Niemann comes into the week playing better golf than anyone in the world with the exception of Scottie Scheffler. The 25-year-old has won three times since December and has shown the world why he was regarded as one of the games future stars since he was a teenager.
Historically speaking, Joaco’s win at Riviera a few years back seems to be an indicator of potential success at Augusta National. Fourteen players have won at both historic courses including Hideki Matsuyama, Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Nick Faldo, Tom Watson and Ben Hogan.
Niemann has all the shots to be successful at Augusta National. His low stingers will come in handy on plenty of holes down the stretch and he can work it both ways, playing the high draw or the low fade. He also putts best on Bentgrass greens and likes them fast. Whether PGA Tour or LIV, talent will always reign supreme, and I’ll always bet on that talent.
Cameron Smith (+4000) (FanDuel)
Cameron Smith is another player who we should get an odds discount on based off of the results at LIV Miami. Smith was forced to withdraw prior to the second round due to food poisoning. In my opinion, the number has drifted to a place where I’d consider it a “bet the number” play on the talent.
Smith is a contender for the green jacket anytime he tees it up at Augusta National. The Australian absolutely loves the golf course and has four top-10 finishes in his last six trips to the golf course. In both 2020 and 2022, Smith had a real chance of winning The Masters and came up just short, finishing T2 and T3 in those two tries. In his past 36 rounds, he ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Total per round at Augusta.
In order to be successful at Augusta National, players must be creative around the greens and be shot makers who have plenty of ways to get around the golf course. Cam has all the shots required to be successful at the course at his touch around the greens will continue to serve him well in his hopes for a green jacket.
Smith is arguably the best putter in the world and has the capability to win a golf tournament on and around the greens. He’s already taken down Rory McIlroy at the home of golf on his way to a claret jug and is one of the few players who can stare down any of the world’s top golfers on the back nine at Augusta National.
Justin Thomas +4000 (FanDuel)
With how he’s been playing since his 2022 PGA Championship win, you may be shocked to see the name “Justin Thomas” in this preview. However, JT has drifted to a place on the odds board where I believe it’s worth taking a shot on the talent of a two-time major champion in his prime.
It’s not all bad for Thomas this season. He finished T6 at the signature Pebble Beach event, T12 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and T12 at the signature Arnold Palmer Invitational. In his last 24 rounds, JT ranks 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 14th in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and 29th in Strokes Gained: Putting on fast Bentgrass greens.
Despite missing the cut last season, Thomas has played pretty well at Augusta National. He ranks 13th in Strokes Gained: Total in his past 36 rounds at the course. He finished T4 in 2020, T21 in 2021 and T8 in 2022.
I believe the 2024 edition of The Masters is completely wide open. The past few years has been frustrating for Thomas fans, but I believe his peak form may be a bit closer than people realize.
Sergio Garcia +12000 (FanDuel)
Earlier this season, Garcia dueled with Joaquin Niemann before finally losing on the fourth playoff hole late into the night. Despite the loss, the 44-year-old seemed to gain confidence in his game. The results that followed weren’t spectacular, but in terms of his ball striking he’s shown some flashes of vintage Sergio.
At LIV Miami last week, Garcia played well on a massive golf course, losing in a playoff to Dean Burmester. He continued pumped the ball into the fairway and hit massive iron shot after massive iron shot. He also used a refurbished Scotty Cameron that he used in the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah. The putter served him incredibly well until he missed a short putt on the 18th hole to win the event. Overall, he gained 7.1 strokes putting at Doral.
Sergio Garcia is once again headed to Augusta National with a chip on his shoulder. Of course, having a chip on the shoulder is nothing new for the fiery Spaniard, but this year, the 2017 Masters Champion will arrive at Augusta with his game clicking on all cylinders.
Sergio winning a second green jacket is seemingly an almost impossible feat, but magical things tend to happen on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National.
Adam Scott +11000 (FanDuel)
Betting Adam Scott over the past handful of years has been a Masters staple for me, and like many traditions, has been a hard one for me to let go of.
Last week, Scott finished T14 at the Valero Texas Open in a windy and difficult week. I believe the wind will be a major factor this week at Augusta National, and the more difficult the tournament plays, the more I favor Scott. Scott also ranks 5th in his past 24 rounds on Strokes Gained: Putting on Fast Bentgrass and has the short game these days that could help him contend in a major.
Since his win in 2013, Scott’s history at The Masters has been spotty. He has some poor finishes alongside a T9 in 2017 and a T18 in 2019. He’s been playing some solid golf this season, finishing T8 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and T19 at the Genesis Invitational.
(All photos in piece belong to LIV Golf)
- LIKE35
- LEGIT22
- WOW8
- LOL2
- IDHT0
- FLOP6
- OB2
- SHANK20
Since 2013, I have created a filtering process to help determine the players who are most likely to win the green jacket based on criteria that have strongly predictive outcomes to success at Augusta. The list of players that can win at Augusta is usually filtered down to 20-24 players and in that time I have correctly shortlisted every Masters champion.
This includes last year’s winner, Jon Rahm. Even though Rahm essentially walked away with the green jack and did not make it very close, there were some close calls on top of the leaderboard as I had filtered out Phil Mickelson (t-2nd) and Patrick Reed (t-4th) as the LIV Tour is still behind on providing advanced analytics for their tour. Russell Henley was also filtered out and finished t-4th, five strokes from Rahm’s winning score of 276.
If you’re watching at home, the “critical holes” that will likely determine the top finishers will be holes No. 7, 8, 11 and 13. The 11th hole is projected to be the most critical of holes as over the past five Masters the top players have gained nearly a 1.5 strokes for the tournament on that hole alone.
Just like last year’s column I will get the LIV Tour players I’ve filtered out of the way. Since LIV Tour does not provide ShotLink or Trackman data, it’s more of a guessing game as to how certain LIV Tour golfers are playing. I did utilize recent performance as well as performance at Mayakoba and Doral as they were two former PGA Tour courses that have some semblance of crossover to playing Augusta.
Phil Mickelson
Thorbjorn Olesen
Charl Schwartzel
Cameron Smith
Bubba Watson
Admittedly Cameron Smith and Phil Mickelson are hard to leave out, but both have not played well as of late.
Next, I filtered out the amateurs and all first-time professional attendees. The Masters has only been won three times by a first-time attendee: Fuzzy Zoeller was the last to win in 1979. Prior to Zoeller though, it was Horton Smith in the inaugural event in 1934 followed by Gene Sarazen in 1935
Ludvig Aberg
Akshay Bhatia
Wyndham Clark
Eric Cole
Santiago de la Fuente (a)
Nick Dunlap
Austin Eckroat
Stewart Hagestad (a)
Ryo Hisatsune
Lee Hodges
Nicolai Hojgaard
Stephan Jaeger
Jake Knapp
Christo Lamprecht (a)
Peter Malnati
Denny McCarthy
Grayson Murray
Matthieu Pavon
Adam Schenk
Neal Shipley (a)
Jasper Stubbs (a)
Out of the first time invitees the data likes Ludvig Aberg and Eric Cole to play the best at Augusta National.
I also filter out old Masters champions that I do not believe can get into contention anymore.
Fred Couples
Jose Maria Olazabal
Vijay Singh
Mike Weir
Tiger Woods
Recency has a strong predictive value for player performance and missing the cut in the event in the prior week greatly reduces the likelihood of winning the following week compared to players that miss the cut, take a week off, and then play the following week. Therefore I filter out all players that missed the cut at the Valero Texas Open last week.
Byeong Hun An
Harris English
Rickie Fowler
Ryan Fox
Zach Johnson
Tom Kim
Erik van Rooyen
Camilo Villegas
I will also filter out the players that have never made the cut at the Masters:
Kurt Kitayama
Adrian Meronk
A Tradition Unlike Any Other…
Augusta National has traditionally favored longer hitters and even moreso in the past 20 years of the event. Of course there has been exceptions as in 2007 the short hitting Zach Johnson ended up winning the event.
Critics of my filtering system point out Johnson’s victory as a case for short hitters being able to win at Augusta, but they neglect the fact that Johnson’s victory came in historically low temperatures in the 40’s with wind gusts reaching 35 mph. That made the par-5’s almost unreachable in two shots and the course stressed wedge play and short game around the green where Zach had a sizable advantage.
It is projected to rain early on Thursday and then the weather is supposed to be sunny and warm for the rest of the week. It depends on how quickly the course dries up, but if it does dry out fairly quickly that will give the longer hitters the advantage as they will be able to reach certain par-5’s in two shots that the shorter hitters cannot reach if they don’t hit a quality tee shot and there may be par-5’s that some of the long hitters can reach in two shots with a short iron. Therefore I will filter out the following players due to a lack of distance off the tee:
Corey Conners
Lucas Glover
Emiliano Grillo
Brian Harman
Si Woo Kim
Chris Kirk
Shane Lowry
Colin Morikawa
JT Poston
Justin Rose
Sepp Straka
Out of these players the data likes Lowry and Morikawa the most. Both have good history at Augusta and they both just narrowly missed the distance benchmark set in the filter and both are excellent long iron players.
Last year I created a new formula to better determine ball height as Augusta has historically not taken too kindly to a low ball flight. Out of the 5 players filtered out for low ball flight using the new formula the best finish was only t-29th by Si Woo Kim. This year I’ve filtered out the following players.
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Sungjae Im
Luke List
Joaquin Niemann
Justin Thomas
Every year I filter out the poor performers on approach shots from 175-225 yards as Augusta National puts a lot of stress on those shots. Last year I filtered out nine players and three of them missed the cut with only Jordan Spieth finishing in the top-15 (t-4th) as the rest of the players were never a threat.
Here are the golfers I’m filtering out due to poor play from 175-225 yards:
Patrick Cantlay
Cameron Davis
Jason Day
Tommy Fleetwood
Russell Henley
Max Homa
Rory McIlroy
Jordan Spieth
Nick Taylor
Rory had a nice outing at the Valero Texas Open and hit his irons better there, but appears to be struggling with a leftward miss. Other than that, Rory still has the game to win his first green jacket. Henley is usually one of the better iron players on Tour, but he has struggled this season from 175-225 yards and is a short hitter anyway.
I will also filter out Danny Willett as he is coming off injury and making his comeback at the Masters.
That leaves the 22 players that can win the Masters:
Keegan Bradley (150/1)
Sam Burns (60/1)
Bryson DeChambeau (25/1)
Tony Finau (50/1)
Sergio Garcia (100/1)
Adam Hadwin (175/1)
Tyrrell Hatton (80/1)
Viktor Hovland (35/1)
Dustin Johnson (40/1)
Brooks Koepka (16/1)
Min Woo Lee (70/1)
Hideki Matsuyama (20/1)
Taylor Moore (300/1)
Jon Rahm (12/1)
Patrick Reed (80/1)
Xander Schauffele (18/1)
Scottie Scheffler (4/1)
Adam Scott (100/1)
Sahith Theegala (50/1)
Gary Woodland (250/1)
Cameron Young (50/1)
Will Zalatoris (35/1)
Here’s my personal top-10 picks:
Keegan Bradley (150/1)
Sam Burns (60/1)
Bryson DeChambeau (35/1)
Tony Finau (50/1)
Viktor Hovland (35/1)
Dustin Johnson (40/1)
Hideki Matsuyama (20/1)
Jon Rahm (12/1)
Xander Schauffele (18/1)
Scottie Scheffler (4/1)
- LIKE185
- LEGIT74
- WOW24
- LOL25
- IDHT5
- FLOP12
- OB7
- SHANK63
-
19th Hole2 days agoDave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoJohn Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoThings got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
-
19th Hole3 days agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole1 week agoReport: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoCharlie Woods finds it tough going on American Junior Golf Association debut
-
19th Hole1 week agoAddiction, spinal fusion, and scam artists – Everything Anthony Kim revealed in candid interview with David Feherty
-
19th Hole1 week agoAnthony Kim says doctors told him that he ‘may not have much time left’ ahead of LIV return
pat gau
Nov 3, 2019 at 7:11 am
Hi i am learning a lot whit you guys thank’s a lot
Scott D
Jun 19, 2016 at 3:53 pm
A huge Thank You and shout out to Mackenzie for taking an hour of his time to provide information and insight into UGP. He answered all of my questions and even invited me to visit to help me gain an understanding of the level of detail and information provided to each player and how they have maximized their space within their main location. I have talked to several other owners of various facilities around the country and none have been as forthcoming and open as Mackenzie. For those of you near UGP looking to improve your game the right way, you will have access to cutting edge technology and even better people. Great stuff and thanks again, Mackenzie!
Steve
Jun 19, 2016 at 11:07 am
Amazing looking facility that combines fitness, instruction, and fitting. Where do you plan to open in OC and where, if you don’t mind me asking.
Mac Todd
Jun 15, 2016 at 9:11 pm
Thanks everyone for all the replies and feedback, if anyone has any questions please feel free to email me directly at [email protected] or just post directly to this message board
Mac Todd
Founder
Urban Golf Performance
Brett
Jun 14, 2016 at 1:40 pm
I’ve had the pleasure of doing business with Mac and the group at UGP since the week they opened their doors. These are real golf guys, super passionate, smart, humble, stud players, forward thinking and caring. It was just a few years ago Mac and Ben had a vision and I’m incredibly happy that they’ve been able to execute that vision with exceptional precision. There are only a couple areas of golf that are growing, indoor golf Is one of them. The industry has unfortunately suffered because golf takes too long to play and it’s intimidating to newbies. Beyond that, very few instructors are able to effectively teach with the old fashioned, outdated methodology. Top notch facilities like this, run by good people, is just what the doctor ordered. If you question whether or not the principles they (UGP) operate under can change the golf landscape, simple, pay attention…you’ll learn something. Keep up the great work, guys.
Mac Todd
Jun 15, 2016 at 8:47 am
Thanks Brett, can’t tell you how much we appreciate the support!
Juan Carlos Zerpa
Jun 14, 2016 at 1:38 pm
UN comentario en español.
Soy de Venezuela…y estuve de paseo en LA hace un mes. Aproveché la oportunidad y me acerqué a UGP. Fue mi primera experiencia haciendo un fitting. Y la verdad, la atención es el valor agregado de esta gente. CUalquier pregunta, cualquier comentario fue comentado y contestado. Y tuvieron toda la paciencia del mundo para trabajar con un cuarentón con un 20 hcp. Sólo por curiosidad fui a una sesión de fitting en una cadena…nada que ver. COmo decimos en Venezuela…aquello fue un “mateo” en comparación al nivel de atención a los detalles que obtuve en UGP.
A la fecha, no he podido utilizar mis nuevos palos de golf. Pero tengo la certeza de que no desperdicié mi tiempo y mi dinero. Espero poder confirmarlo más adelante.
Gracias al equipo de UGP.
Mac Todd
Jun 15, 2016 at 8:50 am
Juan Carlos-
Muchas gracias por tu recomendacion y apoyo de UGP. Estamos a tus ordenes!
MAC
b
Jun 14, 2016 at 2:30 am
This place sounds like an amazing experience. I’m going to make it a priority to get an appointment when I’m home on leave in the winter! The drive up from Thousand oaks should be well worth it.
Mac Todd
Jun 14, 2016 at 12:37 pm
We look forward to having you, mention the article and get 10% off!
TinkerR
Jun 13, 2016 at 10:43 am
I’ve been to UGP a 3 times. Great facility. Really nicely done. Seem like good guys. I’m someone who belongs to one of the aforementioned “elite” clubs in LA. I stopped going to UGP because i felt the prices were too steep. I know a number of guys who feel the same way. If it was a bit more reasonable I would be a regular customer.
Mac Todd
Jun 13, 2016 at 1:37 pm
Hey TinkerR!
Thanks for commenting and taking the time to read our story, and also for the support you’ve already shown coming into UGP! We definitely would love to have you back in!
Our sessions range anywhere from $145-$110 depending on the volume of sessions you purchase. You can use them across the fitting, fitness and coaching segments of our business. Each UGP golf bay cost us about $85,000 and training a new coach to get up to UGP standards and use the technology seamlessly costs us around $20K minimum depending on experience. We don’t see a profit on a new hire for at least 6-9 months. It’s always an investment on everyone’s part. We spend countless hours behind the scenes improving the collaboration between departments and continuing education to ensure our coaches are always fresh and on the cutting edge. We have a business infrastructure behind the scenes, along with a solid front line support system that manages appointments and serves as a “concierge” to members at no additional cost. We valet cars, and go above and beyond to ensure that our students are progressing and enjoying the experience. I promise you in spite of our awesome growth, we truly grind as hard as possible to ensure its a “valuable” experience, and that we are priced accordingly.
The average “elite” golf instructor utilizing Trackman (we also have $10K balance plates, high speed cameras, and a plethora of other training equipment) in Los Angeles is $150. The average private fitness training session at a comparable facility like Equinox charges also around $150. The average fitting experience at a place like Cool Clubs can go well over $300, we charge $195. If you have a package you can pay as little as $110 for a premium service at your fingertips whenever you want it 6am-9pm weekdays and 6am-5pm weekends.
We’ve put a lot of thought and consideration into our pricing model and value proposition, and trust me I’ve nearly tried every service out there nationwide that is similar to what we have built here in LA. You’ll be hard pressed to find this value and experience elsewhere.
All I can say is that we will strive and grind as hard as we can to consistently provide value, innovate the standard practices we see in the industry today, and educate a new generation of golf instructors, trainers, and club fitters/builders that believe and share the holistic approach to golf development.
I really do appreciate all your support and the fact that you took the time to read the story and comment! (Email me at [email protected] and I’d be happy to extend a complimentary session for your loyalty)
Stan Parless
Jun 12, 2016 at 11:51 pm
“In a nutshell the conviction to know what you are doing is the right path regardless of the obstacles: financial or social”
Try telling that to the missus.
Place sounds awesome and I’m sure they mean well but “change golf culture in Los Angeles”? By what? Catering to the well off country club golfer? Calling themselves “urban” while based out of West LA? Maybe when some golfers who work in a Pico Rivera warehouse can afford it I’ll buy into that statement.
Mac Todd
Jun 13, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Hey Stan-
Thanks for taking the time to read our story and comment.
Check out this video we did in support of the Heroes Golf Course at the Veterans Affairs facility here in West Los Angeles (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ6zX6skYlg). We raised nearly $10K to support their initiatives, and hosted a function that brought more awareness to the conditions our veterans face right in the middle of the wealthy backyard of West LA. This is one of the over 50+ causes locally and regionally we have shifted our focus to as we continue to grow and gain support. Our intentions and purpose are pure, and I can guarantee you we will continue to expand upon this mentality as we grow.
Appreciate you taking the time to read our story!
Mac Todd
Jun 11, 2016 at 9:45 pm
No plans to sell, but who knows that’s the American Dream right?
We’re really just a really good group of people that work really hard to make an impact on the game we love and our community. Purely grass roots concept from our collective experiences.
Appreciate your comments!
Bob Gotsen
Jun 11, 2016 at 6:42 pm
Incredible stuff. I’ve been playing golf for 32 years, and I am beyond messed up physically. I have had tons of coaches, but nobody tells me my actually problems. What UGP is doing sounds like a reboot for the healthcare system, as well as golf.
Mac Todd
Jun 12, 2016 at 11:09 am
Thanks for taking the time to read our story Bob, we’ll keep pushing the envelope!
John Goldberg
Jun 11, 2016 at 4:26 pm
Place looks amazing. When are you guys coming to Phoenix?
Mac Todd
Jun 11, 2016 at 5:50 pm
Definitely part of the plan. Thanks John!
Albatross Hunter
Jun 11, 2016 at 4:24 pm
Where was this place when I was growing up! It looks and sounds like these guys are sturring the pot, in a incredible way! Bring one to Wisconsin, we need you this winter.
Mac Todd
Jun 11, 2016 at 5:51 pm
Thanks!
Tru
Jun 11, 2016 at 4:08 pm
The antithesis to “Play Golf America!” by making golf unaffordable
Mac Todd
Jun 12, 2016 at 11:07 am
That’s too bad that’s all you can comment about this article. A baseless statement about how we are the antithesis to “Play Golf America”.
Philanthropy is a major part of our focus, and the fact that our wealthy customer base is passionate about golf, health, community, and education makes us a perfect vessel for working with non-profits in and out of the golf sector to make actual change and improvement in our community. Watch what we do, and learn how there still are good people out there with pure intentions to make this world a better place.
Appreciate you taking the time to read our story!
Clu
Jun 12, 2016 at 2:32 pm
The fact that you have to come back on here and scramble a defense statement says it all about yuor insecurity and lack of understanding of your own customer base, a lack of disrespect for who’s paying your bills and how much you know you’re overcharging the innocent people who come into your shop seeking advice for proper equipment. You’re clueless.
Lol
Jun 12, 2016 at 2:48 pm
Clu, did you actually read the article? His comments as a whole?
It sounds like Mac is proud of what he is doing and his comments reflect that. Not understanding your point at all. How can you fault someone for trying to make things better?
Mac Todd
Jun 12, 2016 at 4:06 pm
That’s pretty harsh Clu. The reality is that I’m only on here trying to foster more discussion about the article, answer questions, and clarify our intentions.
I’m here to learn and grow. What are you here for?
How does your statement do anything but promote disrespect for the innovative possibilities of small business? This story should be an inspiration for others that they are the catalyst for the change we need to see in golf and in society. There is a better way to do things, and we need to be the ones that push for answers.
Also your statement that I have a “lack of disrespect for who’s paying your bills…”doesn’t make any sense, but I get what are you trying to say. Read our customer reviews, talk to our wide range of partners, and you’ll find out that what you’re saying couldn’t be further from the truth. We’ve changed lives, helped thousands not just improve their golf games, but their health, relationships, and much more. This is just the beginning. Our club fitting and building departments are relentless when it comes to precision and craftsmanship, something lost in all the marketing the golf industry does these days. I’ll leave you with a quote that helps me keep perspective as we manage the awesome growth we are experiencing, and the myriad of issues and opinions that arise in parallel.
“What goes on around you…compares little with what goes on inside you.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
I do appreciate you taking the time to read our story and comment!
PEtiger
Jun 13, 2016 at 11:44 am
Clu,
Luckily we live in a free market society. If it turns out these guys are off base and can’t get anyone to walk through the door at $195/pop then they will either be forced to lower the price or close the doors for good. Until then, I don’t think it is instructive for you to berate them just because you cannot afford what they are offering. These guys look like they have made some serious technology investments and deserve to make a return on their time and capital. I assume you expect the same out of your work. Until then, there is always the $10 bucket at the local muni that serves as a competing substitute to their product.
Jack
Jul 5, 2016 at 7:03 am
I don’t think it’s priced high at all. Look at the people they have. They are very highly qualified professionals. There is an abundance of high tech equipment that is very pricey. Lessons are not cheap. You can also mix these sessions in with other coaching sessions as well. That said, this really doesn’t solve the issue that golf in LA is a terrible predicament as the courses are too crowded and you have to drive far to get some breathing room and decent courses.
Jerry Watkins
Jun 11, 2016 at 3:51 pm
Great stuff! Three of my buddies are regulars @ UGP…this article solidifies why they’ve all have been beating me on the course lately. UGP you’ll be seeing me soon!
Mac Todd
Jun 11, 2016 at 5:52 pm
Thanks Jerry look forward to it!
Lululemon
Jun 11, 2016 at 3:47 pm
This place looks amazing!!!
Mac Todd
Jun 11, 2016 at 5:52 pm
???????? thanks!
Kate
Jun 11, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Congrats you guys. I know it’s a labor of love. Happy to see the hard work paying off.
Mac Todd
Jun 12, 2016 at 11:01 am
Thanks Kate, appreciate the love!
Brian Gallagher
Jun 11, 2016 at 2:37 pm
Awesome article! Great to see UGP getting recognition for our pursuit to help golfers of all ages and abilities improve their game!
Kyle Van Haselen
Jun 11, 2016 at 2:16 pm
I am humbled everyday by my team and clients. We continue to grow and develop together, which is what it’s all about. If the mindset is to grow on your own terms and not be willing to learn with others you will become static and never grow. For some that’s okay to them (Ooffa) but for us we focus on growth. KEEP THE GAME GREAT!
Jedi
Jun 11, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Wow!!!! This place looks DOPE!!! Great article. Ive heard great things about UGP and now you sold me. Im makin the trek from OC!!
Mac Todd
Jun 11, 2016 at 2:14 pm
We will be opening down there later this year. Lots of good things to come! Thanks for the support!
ThreeSticks
Jun 11, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Regardless of any negative comments, its refreshing to see someone put their money where their mouth is. Good on ya UGP. Golf needs a reboot for sure and you all are really trying.
Mac Todd
Jun 11, 2016 at 2:14 pm
Thanks! Just the motivation we need to keep pushing!
ooffa
Jun 11, 2016 at 1:39 pm
“Can this performance center change golf culture in Los Angeles?”
Answer: No.
Next article please.
Mac Todd
Jun 11, 2016 at 1:44 pm
Dude you’re on every article on golfWRX talking jive for no reason, and not even with substance. Say something productive and don’t muddle the conversation with ignorance.
Jamie
Jun 11, 2016 at 4:16 pm
Amen brother
Ben
Jun 11, 2016 at 4:56 pm
I disagree with oofa’s bluntness, but I think that the title of the article wasn’t delivered on. It’s a great review of a place that I would absolutely love to visit (seriously…I was excited reading about it). However, the opening of the article was about how you either belong to an elite CC in LA or you fight for time on a public course…”there is no middle class.” That’s what I perceive to be the golf culture referenced in the title…and really, the article does nothing to answer the question posed in the title. On top of that, the author goes on to say that UGP’s clients are likely members of elite CC’s in LA.
So…how could UGP change golf culture in LA?
Mac Todd
Jun 11, 2016 at 9:40 pm
Ben-
That’s a good question, and something we were concerned about as we get our name out there.
The UGP Vision Statement is to to constantly redefine and develop the standards in which people learn and connect with the game of golf.
We are starting with a discerning market that can help fuel our growth, but our goals are big. We’ve been in 50+ charity golf tournaments since we started UGP, supporting many causes that make big impacts on the golf world and the community as a whole. We are working with Tiger Woods Foundation in Anaheim, and the First Tee of Los Angeles to help junior golf where it needs it most.
We give junior golfers big discounts on products and services, and under many circumstances we’ve sponsored local kids in their development even when we had mounting bills getting this bootstrapped business off the ground. Our intentions and purpose are pure.
This is just a start, we came at this with no big investment team and a big dream. In 3 years we’ve put together 20+ employees and 3 locations. Stay tuned, we’re not stopping there.
Appreciate the feedback and support!