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By National Golf Foundation

(JUPITER, Fla.) – The National Golf Foundation (NGF), the only trade organization that works with every sector within the golf industry, has released its 2019 Golf Industry Report, a comprehensive state-of-the-industry overview.

The Golf Industry Report (GIR) compiles many of the game's key data points in a single publication and is intended to provide the most holistic view of the business of golf and the health of the game within the U.S. to stakeholders and the media. The GIR includes the latest NGF data on golf participation, engagement, rounds-played, latent demand, golf course supply and development, retail supply, golf equipment sales, and golf’s reach.

Golf's participation base remains stable, with an estimated 24.2 million people (ages 6+) who played golf on a course in 2018 — a slight...

2018 LOTTE CHAMPIONSHIP RUNNER-UP Azahara Munoz tells about her native country of Spain.

The 2019 LOTTE Championship is being played at Ko Olina Golf Club in Oahu, Hawaii. Eun-Hee Ji is the 36-hole leader at 15 under. Coverage is on Golf Channel at 7 p.m. ET.


Source: Picture This With LPGA's Azahara Munoz

THIS IS TIM BURKE COMPETING in the Open Division of the "Smash in the Sun" at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club.


Source: Golf Swing Wednesday: Tim Burke in World Long Drive Competition

I WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND ON I-64 during the final round of the 2019 Masters. I had attended my aunt's funeral in southern Indiana. Now my wife and I were heading home to Virginia after a difficult and emotional week for our family.

Somewhere east of Louisville my cousin called.

"Hey, are you watching the Masters?"

My wife and I laughed. Yes, we are.

I had the live stream on my phone perched between us on the console. I could easily listen to Jim Nantz and others describe the action as the contenders navigated Amen Corner and the finishing holes. But it was hard to watch the Masters while I drove the interstate. I tried, though, stealing glances at a putt, a tee shot, a pitch. My wife kept telling me to watch the road. I am, I am, I said.

As Tiger Woods later said in Butler Cabin, the...

I'VE BEEN ABSENT FOR AWHILE, away from home and taking a break from this blog. But now I'm back, and perhaps like you, I'm keeping an eye on the Masters.

Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau are the first-round leaders at 6-under 66. Phil Mickelson is one shot back after a scrambling 67. Scoring was impressive on a good weather day at Augusta National.

Following is a Masters infographic courtesy of WalletHub.


Source: WalletHub


Source: INFOGRAPHIC: 2019 Masters Tournament

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BEN CRENSHAW MET TOM KITE in Austin, Texas, when they were kids in the early 1960s. A long friendship and Hall of Fame careers followed.

Here's a short excerpt from Melanie Hauser's feature at PGATOUR.COM:

GOLF CHANNEL ACADEMY LEAD COACH Jill Finlan Scally demonstrates how full swings with feet together can help balance.

I like this drill and the idea behind it. I don't know about you, but for me this technique has been around (and something I've used) since I played junior golf decades ago. And not just how Jill presents it.

In the past, when I've struggled with various aspects of my swing, I've often narrowed my stance or brought my feet together to improve balance and tempo, shorten my golf swing and regain control.

Sometimes I've gone to a narrow stance mid-round as a desperate measure. Whether on course or during practice, this adjustment can lead to smoother swings and more solid golf shots.


Source: VIDEO: Feet Together Swing Drill by Golf Channel Academy's Jill...

MATCH PLAY, AS DAVID FEHERTY OPINES, is a different game within the game. Of course, he's right.

I like match play for the same reasons I like March Madness. Just about anything can happen on any given day, or over 18 holes. That's a big part of what makes sports so compelling. I certainly don't mind an upset and have been known to root for the underdog.

The WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play begins on Wednesday at Austin Country Club. The field of 64 features the top players in the world, including Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari, Brooks Koepka and Tiger Woods.

Golf Channel and NBC will provide live TV and streaming coverage.


Source: VIDEO: David Feherty Explains Match Play or 'Theory of Feherativity'