2026_Golfing_Magazine_Winter_Travel_Issue

Treetops Resort

Gaylord, MI

• Gaylord Golf Mecca, MI • Kaanapali, HI • Kingsmill Resort, VA • BOYNE Golf, MI • Northern Ireland’s Links

New Zealand Golf • Wild Dunes Resort, SC • Plus More

Travel Edition

PURE & SIMPLE

SHARING SUCCESS

Gaylord Golf Mecca Courses Cooperate, Grow, Impress

By Greg Johnson

Sharing in success is a proven method in the Gaylord Golf Mecca

America’s favorite summer landing spot for golfers has spent 39 years moving forward as a premier U.S. summer golf destination. In 2026, through its time-tested cooperative destination marketing model, the Mecca supports 16 golf course members and 21 lodging partners.

“The reason the Mecca works and continues to grow is a tremendous group of owners who have vision and believe in destination marketing,” said Paul Beachnau, executive director of the Mecca since its inception in 1987.

“We simply keep getting better together. Our members, our partners, improve their courses, turf, bunkers, tees, it seems all the time, and those with lodging keep up to date with regular room renovations. I see all the improvements the properties keep making, and our Mecca partnership with the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City has opened up national and international markets to us. We, as a group, share ideas to serve visitors.

The Mecca is a true meaning of cooperative, and as a group and as individual properties there is a commitment to always being the best golf destination Gaylord can be.”

Gaylord, a Northern Michigan community fondly known as the Alpine Village, at first glance is not your typical major golf destination.

It started in 1987 when Harry Melling, a flamboyant auto industry supplier and NASCAR team owner who had earlier purchased Sylvan ski resort on the edge of town, unveiled the Masterpiece, the last major golf course design by the legendary architect, Robert Trent Jones.

The award-winning Jones creation attracted golfers to what later became known as Treetops Resort and quickly put Gaylord in the national golf conversation as a must-stop in the Midwest. It was also Jones who coined the name Treetops. During construction, he observed the stunning view over the Pigeon River Valley from the ridge and tee 180-plus feet above the green of the course’s iconic signature Par 3 sixth hole. It’s treetops for miles.

The Masterpiece was the first of five top-flight and award-winning golf courses Melling would go on to build at the resort, including the only Tom Fazio designed course in Michigan, which is called the Premier

The Golf Channel launched its popular “Big Break” series in Gaylord and ESPN’s “Par 3 Shootout” at Treetops on the Rick Smith-designed Threetops par 3 course. Both productions, pushed forward by Smith who was then Treetops’ head golf professional, helped spread the Mecca message across America as Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Lee Trevino and others came to town.

During that same summer, the Gaylord Tourism Bureau had formed and in turn spawned the Gaylord Golf Mecca – a coordinated marketing effort and label officials hoped would draw attention to the original six Mecca member golf courses. Five of those six – Treetops, Otsego Resort, Gaylord Golf Club, Michaywe Pines Course and Lakes of the North – remain part of today’s

Sweet 16.

At the Masterpiece grand opening in 1987, Jones called the Gaylord area, and specifically Treetops, a place “waiting for golf

to find its way here.” Golf had already found its way in limited amounts to Gaylord, but Jones envisioned what is now found in 2026.

The golf pro Smith was a 23-year-old

fresh-faced, floppy haired PGA pro from Toledo armed with endless enthusiasm and yet-to-be-discovered wide array of skills. He nodded his head as Jones talked that day.

“It’s so perfect here,” Smith said as he made his rounds on the practice tee a few minutes later offering tips like he would to Phil Mickelson and many others later in his career. “Just wait until you get out there and play.”

Jones, Fazio, Smith, and many other golf architecture greats have their artistry included in the Mecca collection, primed and ready each golf season for people to get out and play.

Wilfred Reid, a Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member whose most notable design is the Olympic Club in San Francisco, did original design work that remains a part of the classic Indian River Golf Club since redesigned by Michigan’s Warner Bowen.

Rees Jones, one of Robert Trent Jones’ sons, created one of his personal favorites and an award-winning course at Black Lake Golf Club

Rick Robbins and PGA Tour

player and NBC golf analyst Gary Koch built The Tribute at Otsego Resort, a tribute to Northern Michigan golf and vistas. William Diddle of Indianapolis, a co-founder of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, designed The Classic, the friendly course along the road at the resort.

Jerry Matthews, the most prolific Michigan Golf Hall of Fame designer, crafted nine of the holes at Lakes of the North to go with an original nine by Bill Newcomb, another Michigan designer.

Don Childs, another noted Michigan golf course designer, created Michaywe Pines Course and Gaylord Golf Club, two shining-star parkland style courses in the Mecca.

The late Ron Otto, a Detroit businessman who invented the insulated garage door and later developed and owned Garland Lodge & Golf Resort, also became a golf course designer. His four popular designs at the resort are a clear reflection of his creative talents, including the popular Reflections course. The resort also added a new par three short course, The Sawyer, in 2025.

Black Bear Golf Course, which has been revamped and renewed by new local owners Olivia and Rob Smith, is the latest addition to the Mecca. It’s a perfect, full-service, everybody-is-welcome affordable addition and the improvements keep happening to a

long ago by glaciers.

“We are unique in this country as a destination in the north because of the quantity and the quality of golf,” Beachnau said. “I believe only Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday has been together as a cooperative marketing effort in golf longer than the Mecca. And right now, I see a resurgence in cooperative action and golf travel. Plus, it is easier to get to Northern Michigan now with more flights offered through the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, which opens us up to other big golf markets, too. It’s exciting. We have a bright future as long as we keep the quality of our great courses at an elevated level and keep working together.”

In what is almost four decades, Gaylord

has earned the right to be called America’s Summer Golf Mecca

“The first budget for the Mecca was $15,000, the tourism bureau contributed $7,500 and we had a formula for the golf courses to put in $1,500 each to make up the rest,” Beachnau said. “The initial Tourism Bureau budget for Gaylord was just over $100,000 and is now well over $1 million with about $300,000 budgeted for the Golf Mecca’s marketing and advertising.”

The first year of the Mecca saw courses record 60,000 rounds of golf with revenues of $2 million. The high-water mark set in 2025 for the Mecca was over 280,000 rounds with revenues of $26 million.

Beachnau said he and the early founders of

the Mecca were comfortable in the golf product they were selling, but he is amazed by the level of success now being experienced.

“If you had asked me if I ever envisioned the growth in the number of quality golf courses I would have to say no,” he said. “I imagined us to be reasonably successful in developing a cool niche of the golf market, but what it has led to in terms of the number of golf courses in Northern Michigan, the quality, and the number of world class designers that have found us, is just amazing.”

Judy Mason, the head golf professional at Michaywe Pines Course, said the group has long realized that together they are stronger. “Together we have great inventory, more to offer and sell and it gives us as a marketing group more to talk about,” she said. “Beyond that, we know the key is to bring more golfers to Gaylord and we can all grow stronger together. Cooperation and competition can work together. We prove it in the Mecca.”

The Mecca is a collective reflection of many talents, and the current leaders of the Mecca believe it’s a collection of golf variety unmatched by other golf destinations.

Corey Crowell, the general manager of Indian River and current president of the Mecca, said traveling golfers can’t beat the Mecca variety or bang for the buck. “You can play two completely different styles in one day easily, and three or four completely different styles of courses easily on one trip,” he said. “And the price you pay is incredible if you compare it to other parts of the country. We give you world class golf at affordable prices.”

JT Aude, the head golf professional at Gaylord Golf Club which serves as a busy club for a bevy of golfers daily through the summer, calls the Mecca destination unique.

“I can’t think of any other destination in the country that has a similar combination of quality and quantity combined with affordability, ease of access and a clear effort to make sure the golfer comes first,” he said. “There are places with affordable golf, but not with quality of courses we offer at our combination of prices. There are places with more courses, but not in a variety from family friendly golf to classic country club style golf to award-winning resort golf all designed by some of the world’s top architects. You only find all that here, in Gaylord.”

Visit www.GaylordGolfMecca.com to plan your trip. The

Kingsmill Resort Tee Off at the Crossroads of Championship Golf and America’s 250-Year Legacy

As the morning sun rises over the James River, a light mist clings to the water’s edge. The only sounds are local wildlife and the quiet rhythm of a practiced swing. It’s a scene that golfers rarely forget — not simply because of the shot at hand or the riverside beauty, but because of where it unfolds. At Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia, the game is played on ground that has witnessed centuries of American history, long before the first tee was ever placed on American soil.

A Golf Destination with a Sense of Place

In 2026, as the nation commemorates its 250th birthday, Kingsmill Resort offers golfers a unique opportunity: championship-caliber golf set against one of the most historically significant backdrops in the country. Here, fairways follow land shaped by time, the James River serves as both strategic hazard and living reminder of America’s beginnings, and each round feels connected to something larger than the scorecard.

Williamsburg has long stood at the heart of America’s story, and Kingsmill’s location places it directly within that narrative. Situated along the historic James River — once a vital artery for early colonial settlement — the resort occupies land where history and landscape are inseparable. In 1607, what is now the 17th tee box on the River Course marked the first landing site of settlers who would later establish Jamestown, just miles up-river to the west.

That sense of place elevates the golf expe-

rience. Kingsmill isn’t simply a collection of holes; it’s a destination designed for those who value courses with character, pedigree, and purpose. Easily accessible from major East Coast and Midwestern cities, the resort has earned a reputation as a premier Mid-Atlantic golf getaway — one that rewards repeat visits and extended stays.

What sets Kingsmill apart is its balance of championship golf and immersive environment. It’s a place where a multi-day trip isn’t just recommended, but essential — offering contrasting courses, exceptional conditioning, and a setting that invites golfers to slow down and savor the moment.

Fairways Framed by History

The history of Kingsmill extends well beyond its modern reputation. The land along the James River played a central role in early American industry and commerce, and Williamsburg itself served as the capital of colonial Virginia during the nation’s forma-

tive years. Over time, the area evolved, but its historical significance never faded. Rather it is celebrated, and with Kingsmill’s Patriot Shuttle Service, every point of historical significance in the area is easily reached and enjoyed.

Today, that legacy is felt throughout the property. Towering trees, rolling terrain, and riverfront vistas provide a natural canvas for the game, while subtle reminders of the past — from the river’s quiet presence and historic Plantation House site on the aptly named Plantation Course to the colonial era Cannon and ancient landing site on hole 17 of the River course (which also served as a defensive position in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and a port for commerce during the 18th and 19th centuries) — give each round a deeper resonance.

A Historic Year

In 2026, that connection becomes even more meaningful. As an official partner of VA250 and Williamsburg 250, Kingsmill is proud to be part of the statewide and regional commemoration marking 250 years since the founding of the United States. Williamsburg will serve as a focal point of these once-in-a-generation celebrations, hosting special events, exhibits, and commemorations throughout the year. For visiting golfers, the result is an atmosphere unlike any other — where a golf trip is enriched by the energy and significance of America’s semiquincentennial.

Kingsmill’s River Course is the resort’s crown jewel and one of the most recognizable golf experiences in the region. Consistently ranked among Virginia’s top courses, it is defined by its dramatic setting along the James River and its history of professional competition.

38 years of PGA and LPGA tournament play have cemented the River Course’s championship credentials, but its true appeal lies in its balance. The Pete Dye–designed layout rewards smart decisions, precise approaches, and confident putting, all while delivering a visual experience inseparable from its setting.

The Pete Dye designed course demands strategic thinking from the opening tee shot to the closing hole. The last three holes are on the banks of the three mile wide James River, making it one of the most beautiful finishes in golf — as you putt out on hole 15, a challenging par 5 that dares you to go for the green in two, the James River comes into view.

On the par 4 16th, your drive traces a line toward the James River, the view so striking it invites a quiet pause on the fairway. The iconic par 3 17th unfolds along the riverbank, where cannon and commemorative plaques call for reflection before you play one of the most storied holes in golf. The journey ends on the par 4 18th, a confident carry over water with the river now at your back. Ahead, Eagles Clubhouse frames the green, where golfers linger with cold drinks

in hand, watching your approach against the timeless river backdrop.

Playing the River Course in 2026 carries added significance. The same river that shapes the course once carried settlers, supplies, and stories that helped define a nation.

The Plantation Course: Classic, Quiet, and Timeless

In contrast, the Plantation Course offers a more traditional, tree-lined experience that reflects the quieter side of Williamsburg’s landscape. Where the River Course is bold and exposed, the Plantation Course is intimate and classic, rewarding thoughtful shotmaking and course management.

Subtle elevation changes, doglegs framed

by mature trees, and well-protected greens define the round. It’s a course many golfers find endlessly replayable, revealing new challenges with each visit.

Together, the two courses create a well-rounded golf destination, allowing players to test different aspects of their game while enjoying true variety.

Beyond the Fairways

Kingsmill’s commitment to golfers extends beyond the courses themselves. Practice facilities provide ample space to warm up or refine a swing, while the golf staff ensures a welcoming, professional experience from arrival to final putt.

After the round, golfers can unwind with

river views, enjoy thoughtfully prepared dining, visit the luxury spa, relax by the pools, or gather by the marina fire pits as the sun sets over the James River. Accommodations range from spacious condos to private cottages, large villas, and the one-of-a-kind Estate at Kingsmill — ideal for golf groups and extended stays.

Minutes from Kingsmill, history, adventure, and local flavor await — from Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown to the award-winning Busch Gardens theme park, breweries, and wineries. Stay an extra day and experience it all.

The Time to Visit Is Now

For golfers seeking more than another course to check off a list, Kingsmill offers something rare: championship-caliber golf rooted in history, character, and natural beauty.

In 2026, as America marks 250 years since its founding and Williamsburg steps into the national spotlight, Kingsmill stands ready to welcome golfers at a moment when the game feels especially connected to place and time. It’s a chance to tee it up where history lives — and where the game continues to be played at the highest level. Join us and create your own Kingsmill Legacy.

www.Kingsmill.com

Create your own Kingsmill legacy today.

Follow in the footsteps of golf legends at Kingsmill Resort, home to over 38 years of PGA and LPGA history. Our Stay and Play Package includes luxurious accommodations, breakfast, and a round on the famed River or Plantation Course.

KA’ANAPALI GOLF COURSES

OPEN AND WELCOMING GUESTS

Acclaimed for its warm hospitality, beautiful beaches and an adventurous spirit, America’s 50th state is also “golf heaven” – a plethora of diverse courses featuring jaw-dropping views and fun at every turn.

LOCATION

Situated on 300 acres of sacred lands once home to the Royal Chiefs of Maui, Ka‘anapali Golf Courses offers 36 holes of panoramic views of Lana‘i, Molokai and the West Maui Mountains. As part of the Ka‘anapali Beach Resort Association, guests can stay at one of 13 beautiful hotels and resorts. The community is anchored by Whalers Village, a beachside shopping center with boutiques, restaurants, a whaling museum, hula lessons and other entertaining activities.

Three miles south lies the historic town of Lahaina, which translates to “relentless sun” in Hawaiian. The bustling area is filled with shops and plays host to the annual Thanksgivingweek college basketball tournament, the Maui Jim Invitational.

ROYAL KA‘ANAPALI

Opened in 1962 by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the par-71, 6,700-yard Royal Ka‘anapali is renowned for its forgiving fairways, quick

“The 18th hole is one of the best and most challenging finishing holes that I have ever played.”

Royal Ka‘anapali gained international notoriety by hosting high-profile events, including Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1964), Canada Cup (1964), LPGA Women’s Kemper Open (198285), PGA TOUR Champions’ Ka‘anapali Classic (1987-2000) and SKINS Game (200811) and Ka’anapali Collegiate Invitational (2014-2019, 2021, 2022).

KA‘ANAPALI KAI

Debuting in 1976 by Arthur Jack Snyder and renovated in 2005 by Hawaii’s most prolific golf course architect, Robin Nelson, Ka‘anapali Kai is an 18-hole, family-friendly complement to Royal Ka‘anapali. The 6,400-yard, par-70 layout boasts an array of strategically placed bunkers, contoured fairways and native flora and fauna. Ka‘anapali Kai famously hosted Golf Channel’s “Big Break Ka‘anapali” in 2008.

FOOTGOLF

Fueling soccer fan’s enthusiasm from the World Cup, Ka‘anapali is also home to Maui’s only FootGolf Course. This outdoor activity offers a fun combo of golf and soccer. The 9-hole, par 34 layout stretches 1,165 yards along the

ROCK ‘N RANGE

For those who enjoy grooving to good music while simultaneously groov-ing nice golf swings, Ka‘anapali is the place for you.

“Rock ‘N Range is an activity for golfers and non-golfers to come together in a fun, relaxed and lounge-style atmosphere. Paired with happy hour-style Hawaiian food, drinks, music and games, individuals and private groups are treated to a memorable event,” said Susan Havens, Director of Sales and Marketing for Ka‘anapali Golf Courses.

STAFF

Hawaiian culture is celebrated for its familystyle (‘Ohana) sense of inclusion. Ka‘anapali is no exception. Over the last nine months, more than half of Ka‘anapali’s new hires have been women and minorities. Anchored by females serving as the Regional Operations Director and Head Golf Professional, Ka‘anapali is a leading club with diversity, equity and inclusion in golf, with a focus on Aloha for all.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Ka‘anapali can be reached via Kahului Airport (OGG) or Kapalua Airport (JHM).

With three miles of white sand beaches

BOYNE Golf

A Variety of Golf at Its Finest

By Tom Lang

Whether it’s words from a pastor, a friend, or even my wife, I’m reminded now and then that some of the best things in life are right in front of us—we just don’t always notice.

That got me thinking about what the golfing equivalent might be, and the answer came quickly: BOYNE Golf.

Northern Michigan has long been a destination, but the scope of BOYNE Golf continues to surprise people. Each of the past three years, Boyne Resorts has welcomed golfers from all 48 contiguous states. “People from all over the nation come here to golf, by flying in or making day-long drives because it’s so good,” said Ken Griffin, Boyne’s Director of Golf Marketing. In part, this expansion has been fueled by the addition of direct flights into nearby Traverse City from 22 airports across the U.S.

That statement is backed up by more than just word of mouth. Months ago, BOYNE Golf was named the No. 1 Golf Destination in the U.S. by USA Today readers as part of its 10 BEST Golf Getaway rankings.

The Highlands also finished No. 2 among Golf Resorts. Then in 2025, the International Association of Golf Tourism Operators named BOYNE Golf the Resort Destination of the Year for North America.

At the heart of that recognition is Bay Harbor Golf Club, home to 27 holes across the Links, Quarry, and Preserve courses, all designed by Arthur Hills. Opened between 1996 and 1997, Bay Harbor delivers variety few places can match—open links golf along Lake Michigan bluffs, holes routed through a former rock quarry, and others winding through northern hardwoods. Nearby Crooked Tree Golf Club, perched above Little Traverse Bay, completes an experience many have nicknamed the “Pebble Beach of

the Midwest.”

Two holes on the Links course stand out immediately. The par-4 third offers the first wide-open look at Lake Michigan and Bay Harbor Village. Playing right adds distance to the approach, while going left leaves a shot slightly uphill—either way, the massive front bunker is always waiting. Then there’s the iconic seventh, a par-5 that stretches along a cliff high above the lake. It seems to go on forever, but it’s a beautiful journey.

I’ve known Griffin for nearly a decade, and he’s not one to overreact to a single ranking. “But when you keep showing up in the top three, it’s not just one opinion,” he said. “More than one person thinks it’s okay.”

Michigan native and PGA TOUR winner Ryan Brehm agrees. A Korn Ferry Tour multi-time winner, Brehm has spent years playing and vacationing at Boyne.

“I’m reminded of some of my favorite memories with family and friends during the numerous events and vacations that brought me to Boyne,” Brehm shared. “Too many to share—and some

I shouldn’t share publicly! As I travel playing tour golf, Boyne is always at the top of my recommendations. It’s truly God’s country.”

The Best Golf Variety in America

When golfers question rankings or ask why Boyne belongs in the same conversation as Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst, or Whistling Straits, the answer goes beyond course quality—it’s variety.

Long daylight hours and mild summer temperatures help, but no destination in the country matches Boyne’s diversity of terrain. Pinehurst is iconic, but its courses share a similar landscape of pine forests and sand. Bandon Dunes is spectacular, but the terrain and views are the same. Boyne offers something different on nearly every course.

That includes lakeshore holes along Lake Michigan at Bay Harbor, mountain golf with dramatic elevation changes at Boyne Mountain, and The Heather at The Highlands—routed through a former blueberry bog and now celebrating its 60th season as the course that launched championship golf in Northern Michigan. There’s also the Quarry Course, carved into a 150-year-old shale and limestone quarry, and the Arthur Hills Course, featuring a nine-mile cart path, massive elevation drops, and views of 4,000 acres of untouched forest without a building in sight.

“I love the variety Boyne provides,” Brehm said. “You have shoreline holes along Lake Michigan and tree-lined holes where wildlife

and nature are front and center. It’s a testament to the different architects who brought their own vision to the property.”

Brehm’s connection to Boyne runs deep. “I remember playing AJGA events as a junior, the Michigan Amateur, the Tournament of Champions—along with countless rounds with family and friends,” he said.

BOYNE Golf regularly hosts elite competitions on the same courses available to the public, including the Michigan Amateur, State Pro-Am, and AJGA events. In 2026, the Great Lakes Championship for the LPGA Epson Tour returns for the second time. With 11 courses, the resort can host these events while keeping public play uninterrupted.

“We get more social media engagement during AJGA events than anything else all year,” Griffin said. “It exposes us nationally and connects with golf families.”

Consistency across courses is another advantage. One agronomy team oversees all properties, with green speeds measured weekly and adjusted to ensure a consistent putting experience—even when slopes vary.

What’s New

The Donald Ross Memorial Course at The Highlands has undergone updates over the past several years, with six holes completed and all 18 reopening fully in 2026. Improved technology allowed Boyne to more accurately recreate Ross’s classic designs, replacing older methods that relied on limited blueprints and

Polaroid photos.

This also marks the first full season of Doon Brae, a new short course built along the ski hill at The Highlands. And at Bay Harbor, the Inn at Bay Harbor is now fully under the Boyne Resorts umbrella, rather than a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, allowing for expanded golf packages.

Going Off Course

Boyne encourages guests to explore beyond the resort. Mackinac Island is less than an hour away, Lake Michigan towns are even closer, and the region features 14 wineries, three distilleries, a thriving craft beer scene, and hundreds of restaurants in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Boyne City.

As a media member, I’ve visited many golf resorts that offer great golf and little else. “Here, you’re never more than seven miles from a lakeshore town,” Griffin said. “We think the local hospitality of Northern Michigan is second to none. We want people to experience it.”

He’s right. The warmth of the local communities is part of the experience. “You can return to Boyne time after time,” Griffin said, “and have whatever experience you want. Golf is the consistent—but everything else can be different every time.”

www.Boyne.com | 844-884-4374

By Crai S. Bower

follow Crai’s gof and adventures on Instrgram at @travelcrais

TThe Stout Test of Northern Ireland’s Links

his is embarrassing to write, but I can’t describe Irish links golf without giggling. It’s so damn fun house fun, each verdant “room” more chortle-worthy than the last. It’s hard to explain, which I know is ridiculous. Oh, and there are pubs, where yes, there are music sessions every night. And it’s true: the Irish are as convivial as you’ve heard.

But back to golf.

How to describe their golf? Let’s start with the opening four holes at Ardglass Golf Club, founded in 1896. The Ardglass clubhouse dates to 1405 (yes 1405), the fortified warehouse now described as the “Oldest Clubhouse in the World.”

The first tee shot is to a broad fairway shared by the first and 18th holes. If you hit the ball left, it will pinball around the coastal basalt outcropping or land in Lambs Lough, for which the opening hole is named. (Inventive hole nomenclature is another Irish treat.) But this isn’t what makes the hole so captivating. It’s the approach shot to a completely hidden green!

#2, “Howd’s Hole,” ups the stakes, a 167-yard Par 3 with a 140-yard chasm carry. And No. 3, “Compass Hill,” a short Par 4, appears more benign until you discover those famous links bunkers, stacked high as pancakes, pimple the fairway. Oh, and the wind, of course.

Your eyes are again taken away on “The Warren,” the 371-yard par-4 fourth that asks you to fly over several mounds to a mysterious fairway, at least for a first-time player.

I don’t often list tee boxes among a golf course’s aesthetic attributes, but several launch parapets here deserve mention. Jutting out above the Atlantic, the tee boxes on the fifth and sixth holes are exactly where you’d stand sentry should Yara Greyjoy lead her fleet from the Iron Islands to the North of Ireland (for those who follow along the “Game of Thrones” television series.)

I could write much more about Ardglass, but there are more giddy layouts to share from Portstewart, Royal Portrush, and, lest we forget, that other County Down track, the Royal one that many consider the most beautiful golf course in the World.

A simple sign points to Royal County Down behind the Slieve Donard, a grand hotel facing the Irish Sea that’s also steps away from the resort town of Newcastle. Following the sign’s arrow to RCD feels like taking a non-descript trail from a Washington Road strip mall parking lot to Augusta National. Et voila, Eden!

The golf course itself is equally pristine. Unlike Augusta, carved and mounded from a former nursery, the RCD landscape required little more than formal holes and flags, as evidenced by tales of villagers playing among the rabbit warren before Belfast bankers took over in 1889 and formalized a 9-hole course. Though additional holes and many iterations were to follow, altering so much as a gorse branch today is considered sacrilegious.

The opening 539-yard Par 5 provides the first of countless “pinch me” moments, a ribbon fairway skirting the shore, narrowing like a tightly purled corset with pot bunkers ready to cook your round from the get-go. Unlike Ardglass, you do have to wait until #2, a 444-yard Par 4, to launch your blind first tee shot.

Trusting that a fairway exists somewhere in the distance is a recurring theme in links golf, especially in links golf, especially on Irish links where dune topography results in significant elevation changes. It adds all sorts of mystery for the player, not least finding one’s golf ball should the drive get blown off course and miss the fairway.

The Par 4 446-yard 13th adds a rare severe dogleg into the mix (oh, and best to know your iron distances - green wears a gorse collar.)

Unlike traditional links, where the front nine travels out and the back nine returns, RDC’s first nine turns at the modest clubhouse. Sticklers will also find the triangular-shaped pond in the 17th fairway rather incongruous. I doubt either aberration will make it into retellings about playing what Golf Digest has ranked the #1 Golf Course in the World since it started rating such things 10 years ago.

Elevation may prove testy for locating errant drives and respiratory function, but it also allows for truly spectacular holes like “Devil’s Hill” on The Strand at Portstewart Golf Club. The 336-yard par-4 second hole requires you to split five-story hillocks before landing your ball on an uphill fairway.

The Strand, opened in 1908, is relatively young but hardly devoid of history. The green on no. 3, “The Settlement,” was home to early settlers some 9,000 years ago.

“Rifle Range,” aka no. 5, was exactly that, a World War II firing range.

My favorite hole remains no. 9, “Larkhill,”

not because the name recalls “To a Skylark,” an ode concocted by not one but two favorite poets, Wordsworth and Shelley. Rather it’s because the attendant at the halfway hut draughts a proper two-part Guinness pour, a pint so silky I settled into a pothole bunker to savor.

(That it took this long to mention “Guinness” is almost as sacrilegious as writing about Irish links golf and not yet mentioning the mesmerizing greens that require, to bastardize Shelley, “Thy skill to [putt] …thou scorner of the ground!”)

Irish links require blind shots, improbable bunker escapes, and an occasional thorn-hindered errant ball retrieval, but the greens make us declare “yes, yes, yes.” Take Giant’s Grave, the long par-5 second at Royal Portrush Golf Club

To the joy of every golfer, Portrush returned to The Open Championship rota in 2019 when Irishman Shane Lowry won with poetic flourish. Scottie Sheffler hoisted the Claret Jug here in 2025. (The 2027 Ryder Cup will be contested in County Limerick at Adare Manor.)

Like the best links greens, little

on Portrush’s putting surfaces change in undulation from the fairway, the apron and the adjacent waste areas. In other words, those mounds, grooves, and turtle backs scamper right on through the short grass.

And there’s the short par4, “White Rocks,” among the most spectacular holes on the planet. Should you land on the front of the green with a back pin placement, you’ll have a blind (a blind!) putt to the back tier. However, given the green falls off the sea cliff like a drop edge pool, better to be blind than drowned.

Naturally, one can’t speak of the abyss without mentioning “Calamity Corner,” the 236yard par-3 16th, where a misfire to the right side is best summarized by W. B. Yeats: “He that made this knows all the cost, for he gave all his heart and lost.”

Golfing upon the great links courses of Ireland remains a lyrical experience, putting strokes strummed upon rippling greens, pitches plucked from impossible lies and drives blind as Joyce’s “Citizen” in the Cyclops Episode of Ulysses.

Seamus Heaney, Ireland’s most recent Nobel laureate, best captures the sublime joy of playing Irish links.: “And that moment when the bird sings very close/To the music of what happens.”

OUTER BANKS WHERE COASTAL GOLF MEETS GETAWAY

A ONE-OF-A-KIND GOLF VACATION

A golf vacation to the North Carolina Outer Banks is unlike any other. Challenge one of our five award-winning golf courses, sink your teeth into our fresh coastal cuisine, and end the day with drinks on the deck at your well-appointed golf cottage overlooking a lighted putting green. Simply put, it’s the perfect golf trip for 2026!

Your group is unique and your golf vacation should be the same. Our local golf travel experts are ready to help you plan every last detail to make it the very best!

Exploring Downunder

Why New Zealand Is the Ultimate Winter Golf Escape for North Americans

By CLAUDIO DEMARCHI

What sounds better, shovelling snow, driving through slush or putting on sunscreen and lining up putts. You are likely in the grips of winter right now with 2-3 months before the greenery appears again. Meanwhile New Zealand is in the height of summer.

Fairways glow emerald green, coastal breezes keep temperatures comfortable, and golfers play beneath expansive blue skies rather than battling frost and snow. For North American golfers seeking a winter escape that blends world-class golf with unforgettable scenery and enriching travel experiences, New Zealand stands apart as one of the most compelling destinations on the planet.

From November through April, golfing conditions are near perfect. Days are long, courses are immaculate, and crowds remain refreshingly light compared with peak summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Add dramatic coastlines, alpine landscapes, worldrenowned wines and famously warm Kiwi hospitality, and New Zealand becomes far

more than a golf destination, it becomes a journey.

Compact and easy to navigate, New Zealand rewards travellers with extraordinary diversity without excessive travel times. From clifftop masterpieces and modern links to tranquil parkland layouts and alpine fairways, the country delivers variety, beauty and authenticity at exactly the time North America is desperate to escape winter.

Auckland: Championship Golf and Waterfront Living

Most visitors begin their New Zealand journey in Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’, a vibrant harbour city built between two coastlines and surrounded by dormant volcanic cones. It is a relaxed, cosmopolitan gateway that combines excellent dining, waterfront energy and outstanding golf.

At the top of Auckland’s golfing tree sits Titirangi Golf Club, the only course in New Zealand designed by legendary architect Dr Alister MacKenzie (of Augusta National and Cypress Point fame). Set among native

bush on the city’s western edge, Titirangi is a classic, strategic design that rewards intelligent shot-making rather than brute force. Subtle green contours, natural land movement and thoughtful bunkering make it a favourite among architecture purists and a fitting tribute to MacKenzie’s enduring legacy.

Equally compelling is Royal Auckland & Grange Golf Club, recently redeveloped into a striking modern championship layout following the merger of two historic clubs. The result is a cohesive, polished course that blends parkland elegance with strategic challenge, offering a premier private-club experience just minutes from downtown Auckland.

Away from the fairways, Auckland delivers memorable experiences. A short ferry ride brings you to Waiheke Island, where boutique vineyards, olive groves and long lunches define a laid-back island escape. Alternatively, step aboard an America’s Cup yacht and sail the Waitemat Harbour, trimming sails and feeling the wind firsthand

on waters that have shaped New Zealand’s proud sailing heritage.

North of Auckland: Modern Links and Remote Luxury

Approximately 90 minutes north of Auckland lies Te Arai Links, one of the most exciting modern golf developments anywhere in the world. Set along a wild stretch of Pacific coastline, Te Arai is the sister property to the world-famous and ultra-private Tara Iti, developed by the same visionary team and built to the same uncompromising standard.

The North Course, designed by Tom

Doak, and the South Course, by Coore & Crenshaw, offer contrasting yet complementary experiences. Vast sand dunes, firm fescue fairways and sweeping ocean views deliver true links golf on a scale rarely seen outside the British Isles. Already ranked among the world’s elite, Te Arai has rapidly established itself as a must-play destination for discerning golfers.

Three hours north and the scenery becomes even more dramatic as you reach Kauri Cliffs, a luxurious lodge and golf course perched high above the Pacific Ocean in the Bay of Islands. Here, fairways spill toward the sea, holes cling to cliff edges,

and the visual drama is constant. It is golf at its most spectacular, bold, beautiful and unforgettable.

Beyond the course, the Bay of Islands offers sailing, fishing, dolphin cruises and rich Mori history. Sheltered bays, quiet beaches and a sense of refined seclusion ensure Kauri Cliffs is as memorable off the course as it is on it.

Taup: Championship Design in a Volcanic Landscape

Travelling south from Auckland, the landscape shifts to volcanic plateaus and vast lakes as you arrive in Taupo, set beside New Zealand’s largest lake. This region is both an adventure hub and one of the country’s most underrated golfing destinations.

The headline act is The Kinloch Club, the only Jack Nicklaus Signature course in New Zealand. Overlooking Lake Taup, Kinloch is a strategic, demanding layout shaped by Nicklaus’ philosophy of risk and reward. Wide fairways invite bold play, while deep bunkering and undulating greens ensure the challenge remains ever-present. Accommodation at Kinloch Manor & Villas offers elegant on-site luxury, while the Hilton Lake Taupo provides a refined alternative closer to town.

Also, in Taupo is Wairakei International Golf Course, a serene and timeless contrast. Located within a protected nature sanctuary, Wairakei is known for towering

trees, abundant birdlife and a peaceful atmosphere rarely found in modern golf. Walking its fairways feels restorative, a reminder that great golf need not always be loud or dramatic.

Hawke’s Bay: Clifftop Drama, Art Deco Charm and World-Class Wines

A scenic two-hour drive east from Taupo delivers you to Napier and the Hawke’s Bay, one of New Zealand’s sunniest regions and its oldest wine-growing area. Napier is internationally renowned for its Art Deco architecture, a distinctive style born from tragedy. After a devastating earthquake flattened the city in 1931, Napier was rebuilt in the Art Deco style of the era, creating one of the most complete and charming collections of Art Deco buildings in the world.

The region’s golfing icon is Cape Kidnappers, a course that routinely ranks among the world’s very best. Perched high above the ocean, holes trace the knife-edge ridges of a working sheep station, with sheer drops and vast Pacific views creating a sense of isolation and grandeur. Every shot feels cinematic, and the setting leaves an indelible impression long after the final putt.

A Hawke’s Bay wine tour pairs perfectly with a round at Cape Kidnappers, showcasing elegant reds, crisp whites and relaxed cellar-door hospitality. The experience culminates at Te Mata Peak, where panoramic views stretch across vineyards, coastline and rolling countryside, one of New Zealand’s most iconic viewpoints.

Queenstown: Alpine Golf at Its Most Spectacular

A short flight south brings you to Queenstown, the jewel of the South Island and, for many, the highlight of any New Zealand golf journey. Framed by the jagged peaks of the Remarkables mountain range and the deep blue waters of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown offers an unrivalled combination of dramatic scenery, outstanding golf and unforgettable experiences.

Golfers are spoilt for choice. Jack’s Point is a modern classic, its fairways weaving through a rugged alpine landscape beneath the Remarkables, delivering both visual drama and strategic challenge. Millbrook Resort offers two exceptional championship courses, the Coronet and the Remarkables, which annually host the New Zealand Open, and together provide variety, immaculate conditioning and ever-present mountain views. The exclusivity of The Hills Golf Club, set within a private alpine valley, delivers a refined, world-class experience, while Arrowtown Golf Club and Queenstown Golf Club add charm, character and history to the region’s outstanding line-up.

What truly elevates Queenstown, however, is how seamlessly golf blends with the surrounding landscape and lifestyle. Courses feel carved into the mountains rather than imposed upon them, and each round unfolds against a constantly changing backdrop of peaks, lakes and light. Whether teeing off at sunrise or finishing as the sun

Off the course, Queenstown excels like few places on earth. Central Otago wine tours showcase some of the world’s finest Pinot Noir. A cruise on Lake Wakatipu offers a relaxing way to absorb the scenery, while scenic flights reveal glaciers, alpine lakes and remote wilderness from above. A journey to Milford Sound, including an overnight cruise if time allows, is widely regarded as one of the great natural experiences of the world.

For the adventurous, Queenstown lives up to its reputation as the adventure capital of New Zealand. Skydiving, paragliding and bungy jumping are all available for those seeking an adrenaline rush, adding yet another unforgettable dimension to an already extraordinary destination.

Optional Extensions: Wellington or Christchurch

For those with additional time, New Zealand offers compelling extensions. Wellington, the nation’s compact capital, pairs culture, cuisine and harbour views with excellent golf at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, a classic links, and Royal Wellington, one of the country’s finest inland layouts. Alternatively, begin or end your South Island journey in Christchurch, playing Clearwater Golf Club before embarking on one of the world’s great scenic drives through the Southern Alps en route to Queenstown.

Since you are Downunder anyway - Why

creates the ultimate Southern Hemisphere golf journey. Just a short flight away, Australia offers legendary courses such as Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Barnbougle Dunes and Cape Wickham, alongside iconic sights including Sydney Harbour, the Great Barrier Reef, vibrant cities and vast, diverse landscapes. Together, New Zealand and Australia deliver variety, scale and quality unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Planning Your Journey with Golf Explorer

Planning a multi-region golf journey to New Zealand is seamless when guided by experts who know the destination intimately. Golf Explorer, a specialist tour operator with decades of experience designing

bespoke golf itineraries, creates tailor-made journeys for North American travellers seeking exceptional golf and authentic experiences.

From securing hard-to-access tee times and selecting the right accommodations to organising transport, internal flights and unforgettable off-course experiences, Golf Explorer ensures every detail is handled with precision. Whether it’s a refined two-week highlights tour or an extended Southern Hemisphere adventure combining New Zealand and Australia, their expertise allows you to focus on the golf, and the moments that matter.

Escape Winter, Discover Southern Hemisphere Golf Perfection

With favourable exchange rates, easy flight connections, and expert operators such as Golf Explorer ready to design bespoke itineraries, there has never been a better time to book your Down Under golf escape. Swap snow for sunshine, routine for discovery, and experience golf the way it was meant to be played — naturally, beautifully, and with the spirit of adventure that defines both New Zealand and Australia.

Contact Down Under:

Golf Explorer, Shaun Green www.golfexplorer.com.au info@golfexplorer.com.au

NZ Tel: +64 3 667 5811

AU Tel: +61 8 8376 4495

Wild Dunes Resort on the South Carolina Coast

is Reaching New Heights

There’s no shortage of amazing golf in the state of South Carolina, but the luxe beachfront escape Wild Dunes Resort, found on an idyllic barrier island just outside of Charleston called Isle of Palms, might be the area’s most underrated destination.

This magnificent resort, found less than a half hour from the historic heart of Charleston, is home to two tremendous golf courses – the Links Course and the Harbor Course, both of which were crafted by Tom Fazio. The latter was just renovated, making this award-winning duo and the posh and inviting resort property

a must-visit.

If you love raw nature, amazing Southern cuisines and seafood, and luxury oceanfront accommodations, you’ll find endless charm and hospitality at the Charleston area’s original 36-hole retreat.

www.WildDunesResort.com

Grande Dunes Resort Course

Grande Dunes Resort Course delivers an unforgettable blend of beauty and playability, highlighted by five holes that play along the Intracoastal Waterway, including the stunning par-3 14th. The Roger Rulewich layout features a creative, player-friendly design with generous fairways and large, undulating greens that reward power and precision in equal doses. The Grande Dunes experience is elevated by one of South Carolina’s premier practice facilities, making this top 100 caliber course a natural centerpiece for your next golf trip. www.GrandeDunesGolf.com

King’s North at Myrtle Beach National

King’s North at Myrtle Beach National blends classic pedigree with modern flair following a recent renovation by architect Brandon Johnson. Originally designed by Arnold Palmer, the course has long been one of the Grand Strand’s most popular and recognizable layouts, known for its bold visuals and risk-reward shotmaking. The renovation refreshed bunkering, improved playability, and brought the greens and their surrounds to life, enhancing the course’s strategic interest. No hole captures that spirit better than “The Gambler,” the iconic par-5 sixth, where players must decide whether to play to an alternate island fairway in hopes of making eagle. It’s Myrtle Beach golf at its most memorable. www.MyrtleBeachNational.com

Pawleys Plantation

This Jack Nicklaus design delights golfers with its coastal beauty, including six holes on the back nine that bring a stunning saltwater marsh into play. The course demands thoughtful shotmaking, particularly when the wind is coming off the nearby Atlantic Ocean and forced carries come into play down the stretch. The scenery alone is worth a visit to a course that ranks among South Carolina’s best public layouts, but the real challenge lies in trying to conquer a Nicklaus layout that will test every part of your game - physically and mentally.

www.PawleysPlantation.com

Caledonia Golf & Fish Club

Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is a Lowcountry beauty, defined by moss-draped live oak trees and an intimate atmosphere. It holds a special place in golf architecture lore as the first solo design by legendary architect Mike Strantz, whose artistic vision is evident throughout the property. The course builds to a dramatic crescendo at the par-4 18th, one of the most photographed and challenging finishing holes in the South, requiring a precise tee shot and a nervy approach over water. At Caledonia, beauty and strategy are inseparable, making this a consensus top 100 public course.

www.CaledoniaGolfandFishClub.com

McLemore Resort

Situated atop Lookout Mountain in Northwest Georgia, the McLemore Resort features two sensational golf courses designed by Rees Jones and Bill Bergin, the Highlands Course and The Keep. The Highlands Course boasts a finishing hole considered one of the best in the world. Yet, the Highlands Course is much more than just its finishing hole - the layout plays through three different landscapes. Sports Illustated touted The Keep as the Best New Course for 2025.

The Keep features stunning vistas and dramatic holes along the eastern side of Lookout Mountain. The linksinspired, headlands-style course stretches to more than 7,800 yards on a mountain plateau perched 1,500 feet above the valley floor. In fact, every hole will offer 50+ mile views.

www.TheMclemore.com

The Ultimate Sleeper Golf Destination is in the Heart of the Texas Hill Country

Horseshoe Bay Resort thrives on being an anomaly. You think Texas landscapes are flat and boring? This place is hilly, rocky and set along Lake LBJ, a magnificent constant-level body of water that frames the property. This sprawling resort is sleek, modern and actually tropical in theme. With three award-winning Robert Trent Jones golf courses - Apple Rock, Ram Rock, and Slick Rock - and a brand new state-of-the-art golf academy, and lighted par72 Zoysia-grass putting, Horseshoe Bay is a golfing mecca. Add impeccable fine and casual dining and a stellar marina and pool areas, and everything you thought you knew about destination golf in Texas just flew out the window. www.HSBResort.com

Oklahoma’s Shangri-La Resort is Worth the Adventure

Just over an hour north of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Shangri-La Resort, set on Monkey Island and the serene shores of Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, is one of the most unexpectedly complete golf destinations in the Central Time Zone. With 27 championship holes and a par-three course that multiple media outlets have called the best in the country, ShangriLa also boasts a new -room hotel, numerous excellent dining options and recreational activities galore. From water sports to tennis and Pickleball to basketball courts, an arcade, sports bar, and a Wiffle Ball field, the fun never stops at Shangri-La.

www.ShangriLaOK.com

Giants Ridge

Set in the rugged beauty of the Mesabi Iron Range. Giants Ridge boasts two layouts often regarded as tops in Minnesota, The Quarry and The Legend. Carved out of the Superior National Forest, The Legend features towering pines, giant fairways and majestic views of Wynne and Sabin Lakes. Situated on the site of a former sand quarry and iron ore mine, The Quarry boasts dramatically raised tees and hazards forged from reclaimed and repurposed mine land. Many consider The Quarry the top public course in Minnesota. Located an easy one-hour drive from Duluth and three hours from the Twin Cities, Giants Ridge offers overnight accommodations – from suites and villas to rustic and modern homes – perfect for golf groups and families. www.GiantsRidge.com

Big Creek

Designed by Thomas Clark, Big Creek encompasses over 200 acres and traverses gently through rolling Ozark hills. Bronze wispy fescue and crisp white bunkers wonderfully contrast the pristine, emerald green zoysia fairways and lush bentgrass greens throughout. The front nine introduces golfers to the course’s rolling terrain, challenge and community feel. Big Creek winds through the back nine, touching five different holes as it passes under the club’s scenic arch bridges. A founding member of the Arkansas Golf Trail, Big Creek boasts five sets of tees and is a playable and challenging test for golfers of all levels. Big Creek has played host to numerous local and state tournaments, and served as a site for many United States Golf Association qualifiers. www.BigCreekGolf.com

PGA Merchandise Show Wrap-Up

By TOM LANDERS

The 73rd PGA Merchandise Show is completed with attendance topping over 40,000, and exhibitors totally over 1,200 included a plethora of simulators, game enhancement products, an array of apparel choices, and AI-driven technology in nearly every segment of the industry. I have attended 33 of these golf industry merchandise shows and each one always a breakthrough product or two. If you could imagine it, then you could probably find it on the show floor full of products that ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous. Here are a few of the products that caught my eye.

SHOT SCOPE LM1 LAUNCH MONITOR

One of the most popular items at the PGA Show were launch monitors. Our favorite was the Shot Scope LM1 launch monitor at only $200.

The LM1 is a portable training device designed for golfers looking for simple and accurate data. The LM1 provides golfers with five key metrics that will help improve your practice sessions; club speed, ball speed, smash factor, carry distance, and total distance.

Quick and easy to set up, the LM1 can be used indoors or outdoors, on the driving range, in a practice net or on the course, ensuring you can dial in your distances wherever you practice. Test and measure how fast you are with the dedicated speed training mode, which works with clubs and speed sticks.

The LM1 displays all the metrics you need to improve your game. With simple button navigation, multiple practice modes, and up to 5 hours of battery life, the LM1 is designed for convenience and versatility. Simply place the device 5ft behind the ball and start hitting. $199 https://shotscope.com/us/

BUSHNELL TOUR V7 SHIFT

The new Tour V7 Shift, a next-generation laser rangefinder that introduces Slope First Technology, an all-new display innovation designed to give golfers the most important number first. Combined with a state-of-the-art dual-color OLED display and Link-Enabled MyBag “play as” distances and club recommendation capability, the Tour V7 Shift delivers faster decision-making and unmatched confidence from tee to green.

Built on patented Slope Technology trusted by 99% of PGA Tour players, Slope First Technology displays the adjusted distance in green directly in the display, giving golfers immediate clarity on how elevation affects their shot. By presenting the compensated yardage first in the player’s line of sight, golfers naturally anchor their club selection and shot strategy around this Slope compensated, play as number. See the green, trust the green, and swing with confidence.

A new Yardage Range Recall function allows players to quickly confirm the last ranged distance with a simple press of the mode button, ideal during practice sessions or when double-checking yardages on course.

$399.99

www.BushnellGolf.com

TRUE ANTIGRAVITY SHOE

The TRUE Antigravity shoe caught our attention because of the technology put into making a truly comfortable golf shoe for walking the course. At its core is TRUE’s new Pebax® Superfoam midsole, delivering a rare combination of featherweight cushioning, explosive rebound, and long-term resiliency. The result is a low-compression ride that feels effortless underfoot while maintaining structure and energy return throughout an entire round—or a full day off the course. Available beginning in March in men’s and ladies sizes. This shoe retails at $199, visit www.truelinkswear.com

CYBER PUSH+ CART

We are big fans of the Alphard Cybercart however those not wanting to spend the money on a remote controlled electric cart, Alphard introduced the Cybercart Push+, a world-class manual push cart engineered for exceptional stability, effortless glide, and long-term innovation. The foundation of the cart is the same as the electric Cybercart. It’s the ONLY manual cart on the market that can be upgraded to a full electric Cybercart with the additional purchase of the Cybercart Push+ upgrade kit. This cart retails at $299 and is available at https://alphardgolf.com/products/cybercart-push.

STITCH GOLF INTRODUCES TECHNOLOGY TO THE BAG STRAP

STITCH Golf, in collaboration with Bushnell Golf, has brought cutting-edge innovation to a product category that has remained largely unchanged. The company has redefined the walking experience on the course through integrated, state-of-the-art technology.

This revolutionary patent pending design is embedded with advanced technology from Bushnell Golf. The strap includes a built-in Bushnell Wingman Speaker, allowing you to stream your favorite playlist and receive automatic yardage updates between shots. It also includes a magnetically attached Bushnell Phantom 3 Slope Handheld GPS, delivering real-time, slope-adjusted yardages with a simple glance.

The strap is crafted from STITCH’s signature Touring Fabric and features ergonomically padded straps. It is no longer just a means of carrying your bag, but a fully integrated performance tool. The strap is designed to configure with any STITCH Golf bag and future adapters will be available making these straps applicable to any bag on the market. Currently available in both a single and double strap.

“This isn’t just a strap – it’s a game changing experience,” said Brad King, CEO of STITCH Golf. “We saw an opportunity to integrate smart tech into the most overlooked part of a golfer’s gear, and we took it to a whole new level. What no-one else has, now everyone is going to want.”

https://stitchgolf.com/

SKECHER FLOW SI – TWIST FIT

Skechers golf shoes are among the most comfortable shoes in golf. This year they introduced the This year they introduced the Flow SI combining comfort, waterproof protection and Slip-in technology. Stay on par in effortless comfort with the Skechers Flow SI – Twist-Fit™ for men and women. This spikeless, waterproof golf slip-on features a sleek synthetic upper and Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins® technology for easy wear. The Twist-Fit™ dial closure lets you customize your fit instantly—just turn right to tighten, left to loosen. Enjoy lasting comfort with the Heel Pillow®, lightweight Eco Flight™ cushioning, and resilient Hyper Burst Pro™ insole. The athletic, streamlined silhouette and spikeless traction move with you for stability and control through every swing. The Skechers Flow SI Twist Fit retails at $130. https://www.skechers.com/men/shop-by-activity/golf/

BRIDGESTONE TOUR B GOLF BALL SERIES WITH VS TECHNOLOGY

You might be familiar with the Bridgestone Golf Tour B series of golf balls, which have been bringing smiles to the faces of tour pros and amateur golfers alike for many years now. But you’d best familiarize yourself with the new VS edition of the Tour B balls, introduced at last month’s PGA Show in Orlando.

Central to improvements in the new line was a R&D material discovery leading to the innovation VeloSurge, a core-mantle

integration technology that powers the performance gains across the TOUR B lineup. The VeloSurge technology delivers a seamless synergy between the mantle and core. The new material discovery features a denser mantle material pushing the Moment of Inertia (MOI) to bounds never seen in a golf ball for increased ball speed and distance. Testing with TOUR staff members Jason Day and Chris Gotterup, along with amateur players of varying swing speeds, produced average gains of 2.3 mph in ball speed and 8.7 yards in distance.

Said Day, “The new ball is ridiculous. I went to Bridgestone for the best short-game control, and now the new TOUR B X is giving me more ball speed and longer drives. If you want real performance gains, get fit for this new TOUR B – you’ll thank me later.”

After testing more than 240 prototype variations, engineers narrowed the field to four final VS prototypes that delivered key performance gains. These VS prototypes were intentionally named after the box colors of their corresponding TOUR B models—VS Red (TOUR B RX), VS Green (TOUR B RXS), VS Black (TOUR B X), and VS Blue (TOUR B XS). Bridgestone Tour staffers and amateur golfers tested these prototypes, generating the critical performance data that shaped the final 2026 TOUR B family. www.BridgestoneGolf.com

ZERO FRICTION CELEBRATES AMERICA WITH VICTORY LINE OF GLOVES, BALLS

With our country celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, Zero Friction got into the act with the introduction of two new additions to its catalog, the Victory Tour golf glove and the Victory Tour™ golf ball. The company also debuted a patriotic line of USA golf gloves, hats, tees, and towels at the PGA Show.

The New Men’s Victory Tour Gloves are made with proprietary lambskin and a sleek design providing a comfortable, durable glove available in Universal Fit (small – XL) and 9 fresh color combinations, all priced at $19.99.

The Victory ™ Tour Golf Balls feature a 3-piece urethane construction, providing maximum distance, spin and feel. The company says that this premium ball, priced at $34.99, increases player

confidence and performs for skilled golfers who demand the best.

“The response to our Victory Tour golf glove and Victory Tour™ golf ball was phenomenal,” said Zero Friction’s John Iacono, known industry wide as one of golf’s top innovators. “We had incredible engagement with both longtime industry partners and made many new connections who were excited about what we bring to the market.”

https://zerofriction.com/

HAL SUTTON STANDS SOLIDLY BEHIND THE MAKEFIELD PUTTERS

Hal Sutton, a multiple winner on the PGA Tour and former Ryder Cup captain, has always been known for saying exactly what’s on his mind. And recently the Makefield Putter company has been on his mind.

Sutton was on hand at the PGA Show for Makefield and spoke to a room of media and International Network of Golf members about the Makefield technology, and his days on the PGA Tour.

“I’ve never endorsed a putter before,” Sutton said. “I never wanted to — until now. Makefield is a family-oriented company with good people who make a great product.”

A key ingredient of the Makefield line is the radial cusp feature, lines in the putter face that help get the ball on the ground quicker and reduce the skid affect. Another is the X 3 weight system that goes through the equator of the ball, not under the ball.

The company also features four different hosels with lie angles that go from 66 to 74 degrees. It’s all part of the Makefield fitting system, which allows you to personalize the entire club to your game. You can even have your name engraved onto the putter head.

https://makefieldgolf.com/

GREENKEEPERS TALON Z

GreenKeepers added to its impressive lines of products with the Talon Z. This tee crosses over between GreenKeepers’ 4 Yards More and Survivor Tee lines.

Offering a copolymer construction performance tee with a larger crown than the traditional Survivor Tee for ease of ball placement, but still providing the golfer with all of the benefits of the performance of the low ball-spin and longer distance and durability

provided across all of the tee products at competitive pricing.

The Talon Z which is available in both 3 1/4” and 2 3/4” lengths. Production shipments will begin in late March, but Talon Z promises to be worth the wait.

https://gkspikes.com/

CERTIFRESH ADDS TWO PREMIUM CIGARS TO ITS LINEUP

One of golf’s smartest and most practical products just added a little more quality to an already impressive line of cigars.

CertiFresh Cigar®, a leading provider of premium cigars to golf clubs, resorts and casinos around the country, added two new premier cigars to is already impressive line at the PGA Show.

For over 25 years, CertiFresh Cigar® has offered the finest brand-name cigars that are delivered in a perfectly humidified custom package. Boveda’s patented two-way humidity control device is the cornerstone of CertiFresh packaging. Freshness of cigars is guaranteed for one year due to the packaging, so golf courses do not have to maintain a traditional humidor to carry the product.

The two new cigars added to the CertiFresh lineup are Cohiba Blue Toro and the New World Oscuro by AJ Fernandez.

CertiFresh is also adding the Winston Churchill Belicoso by Davidoff to its 4 Pack line-up this year.

“Our 4-Pack product has been a great success since we brought these into our lineup two seasons ago,” said Nelson. “They are designed for the golfers that want a post-round cigar with a cocktail, or a shorter smoke on the course.”

www.CertiFreshCigars.com

Paddles & Putters

Team USA Makes a Big Splash at the Worlds

By CLAUDIO DEMARCHI

Team USA’s historic sweep makes them The BIG DILL

Canada surges to make North America dominant at the 2025 World Pickleball Championships

No one was surprised by the Team USA’s “Golden Sweep” securing the overall World Cup trophy after clinching top honors across the three main team categories: Juniors, Open, and Seniors. While Canada, failing to make it out of the Qualifying round a year ago, a Team of 40 strong landed in Fort Lauderdale, flags flying high and rallied to be the only team out of 68

delegations to have a Top 8 finish in all 3 Divisions.

The 2025 Pickleball World Cup was the largest assembly of national pickleball talent to date, underscoring the sport’s explosive global expansion. The event attracted toptier talent from every continent, with teams from countries like Canada, Mexico, India, Israel, and Bermuda making historic runs in various divisions.

Team USA’s victory was a commanding display of depth, talent, and home-court advantage. Unlike tournaments that focus only on professional players, the World Cup tests a nation’s entire pickleball ecosystem, from its emerging youth to its experienced veterans.

Other International Teams making a statement at the 2025 Championships were:

Team India: the Indian contingent surprised many by achieving a massive medal haul and finishing a commendable seventh overall in the national rankings. Team Israel: coming out of nowhere, in their first ever tournament winning a Golf and 2 Silvers. Team Bermuda: The reigning Caribbean Champions showcased regional strength by claiming eight medals (three gold, three silver, two bronze) in the pre-World Cup and lower-level divisional tournaments, demonstrating that solid development programs are flourishing in smaller nations.

For Team Canada, their Program is still in building mode, with no funding, challenges to find practice courts the dedicated Team dinked and smashed there way to that Top 8 in the World, falling just short in the quarter finals in a gut wrenching 20-22 dreambreaker. Thank you to all who donated to the Team.

Kudos to my friends on Team Canada and the entire Team for that matter. An extra thank you to all the everyday picklers that contributed to the GoFundMe for the Team.

The Pickleball World Cup 2025 concluded in spectacular fashion, cementing its place as the premier international competition for the fastest-growing sport in the world. Held on the vibrant courts of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

What more can you say than; Pickleball has Gone Global!

Selkirk and Tesla Engineers Collaborate on Co-Designed Pickleball Paddle

Could It Be – Elon’s a closet Pickler

Selkirk Sport has partnered with Tesla engineers to introduce the Tesla Plaid Pickleball Paddle by Selkirk, a next-generation paddle that merges Tesla’s industrial design and aerodynamics expertise with Selkirk’s advanced paddle engineering. Sparked by an initial connection at the 2023 USA Pickleball National Championships, the collaboration evolved through on-site design sessions at Tesla’s Fremont factory and extensive prototyping in Selkirk’s Coeur d’Alene R&D lab. The result is an elongated, edgeless paddle with an

aerodynamic open throat, optimized for faster swing speeds and reduced drag, paired with Selkirk’s PureFoam™ core, TPU Power Ring, MOI Tuning System, advanced carbon-fiber face, and InfiniGrit™ surface for enhanced power, control, stability, and long-lasting spin.

www.Selkirk.com

Pickleball Game Changer

The Worlds First Wearable Pickleball Training Aid

“Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.” Said the legendary American basketball coach and player, John Wooden, that won ten National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) national championships in a 12-year period.

Stabilize Your Wrist, A floppy wrist is the #1 source of inconsistency in pickleball. With the GameChanger, you’ll train your wrist to stay stable through every shot — ensuring a consistent angle, solid contact, and the foundation for perfect footwork. Over time, your muscles and mind will memorize the ideal position automatically.

Master Grip Pressure, Control starts with the right grip. The GameChanger’s patentpending design helps you develop light, confident grip pressure — key for controlling hard shots at the baseline or soft dinks at the kitchen line. Feel the difference as your

The Pickleball Gamechanger designed by Certified Pickleball Instructor and 7-time Gold Medalist in his State Games and Senior Olympics, Worth DuPerier has introduced the first wearable device designed to transform your pickleball game from the ground up. Built to help you master consistency, control, and precision, this innovative training tool gives players of all levels the feel and feedback needed to perfect their technique.

By visiting the website, you can see over a dozen short tutorial videos demonstrating “Dinks & Volleys, Third Shot Drops / Reset shots and playing, From the Baseline.” Watching the videos alone help you to visualize the shots.

touch, accuracy, and confidence skyrocket. Perfect Spin & Trajectory, By maintaining the proper wrist angle, the GameChanger allows you to generate and control spin and trajectory like never before. It isolates forearm rotation — the secret behind pro-level topspin shots — so you can attack from both forehand and backhand sides with precision.

DuPerier realized as an instructor there is that gap between instruction/demonstration and student execution. The Pickleball GameChanger does just that!

Check it and your game might just reach that next level. www.PickleballGamChanger.com

Golf and Pickleball Vacations Anyone?

Check ou these 3 Amazing Settings

Black Desert Resort Reveals Plans for Pickleball Courts and Partnership with Professional Pickleball Association and Greater Zion

Black Desert Resort, Southern Utah’s desert gem surrounded by stunning Vermillion cliffs, and ancient black lava fields is a premier destination for luxury hospitality, golf, and outdoor adventure, is set to expand its recreational offerings with the debut of 21 state-ofthe-art pickleball courts in Spring 2026. The expansion includes a Championship Court with seating for up to 1,000 spectators, with future phases set to add eight more courts.

In partnership with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Greater Zion, Black Desert will host the Greater Zion Cup in 2026 — a premier tournament that will draw top players and pickleball fans from around the world. As one of only five Cup events on the Carvana PPA Tour, it represents one of the most significant stops on the professional circuit. Cup tournaments award 1,500 ranking points, compared to the 1,000 points typically available at Open events, making strong performances here especially valuable for players looking to climb or secure their position in the world rankings.

Anchored by a 19-hole Tom Weiskopf signature championship golf course, Black Desert Resort provides the ultimate escape from everyday life. The course features unique lava field landscapes and risk-reward holes. Black Desert Resort is one of the only destinations to host both a PGA TOUR FedEx Cup event and an LPGA tournament. The 2024 PGA tournament marked the return of the PGA TOUR to Utah after more than 60 years. Enjoy the bonus par-3 hole offering sweeping 360-degree views of the surrounding red rock desert.

For more information on Black Desert Resort www.blackdesertresort.com

I know that I am addicted to Pickleball, Golf has been a lifetime passion and let’s just call Bourbon a passion too! LOL. My first visit to Kentucky it was all about the Bourbon, and the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The birthplace of Bourbon offers and experience like no other. You will discover the flavors, the craftsmanship, and legendary hospitality. There are 46 Distilleries on the Trail with an additional 14 tasting rooms with the majority being found in and around the 4 major centers of Louisville, Lexington, Frankfort and Bardstown. www.KYBourbonTrail.com

Note: not all distilleries are part of the Trail, Buffalo Trace is not and one that should be included, the gift shop alone is worth the stop. Other favorites include: Makers Mark, the most beautiful presentation, Woodford Reserve, and for dining and sampling nothing beats Jim Beam and Heaven Hill.

Pickleball Paddock, did not get a chance to visit first time around, but started following them in Instagram. Learning that Whiskey Thief Distillery was a facility sponsor made it that much more inviting. Of course, a separate visit to the Distillery was also a priority. The Paddock, is a state-of-the-art facility with 9 Pro Cushioned indoor courts and 5 outdoor courts plus a full Pro Shop. The most welcoming co-owner Jack Botz will tell you, “We truly have something for everyone - public is welcome. Members enjoy many benefits such as half price court fees and open plays, members only leagues, tournaments and events. Lessons are also available. While playing outside, one might find themselves being stared down by the majestic Stallions of the world-renowned Calumet Farm right next door. www.PickleballPaddock.com

I would be remiss if I did not mention that on occasion, Whiskey Thief does get involved with Tasting Events for participants. One could say that dinking could lead to drinking, which is another form of getting pickled!

The Whiskey Thief Distillery is about 30 minutes from the Paddock, in rural Franklin County, on a 127-acre working farm, is a celebration of single barrel Bourbon crafted by single batch distillation. For Bourbon wanderlusts who know there’s nothing like uncovering a hidden gem, Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. is a destination unlike any other.

www.WhiskeyThief.com

The Perfect Blend: The Kentucky Golf Trail combines unparalleled golf, worldfamous bourbon, and legendary horses— all in one unforgettable journey. The Kentucky Golf Trail curates premier golf experiences across the Bluegrass State, blending top-tier courses with behind-thescenes horse farm tours, exclusive bourbon tastings, and vibrant local entertainment. www.KentuckyGolfTrail.com

JW Marriot Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa

padel courts, providing guests and club members with fresh, engaging ways to stay active.

It has been awarded “Best Small City” in the USA by Conde’ Nast Traveler in both 2024/25 and in 2025 also ranked #1 “Most Tourist Friendly” in the USA.

Lexington is also a bourbon lover’s paradise, go figure why I love it so much! There are 18 renowned Bourbon Distilleries nearby offering a firsthand look at the history and craft of America’s native spirit.

Diverse Dining, for every pallet, the culinary scene in Lexington is a feast for the senses. Here you’ll find an eye-popping number of restaurants, café’s, bakeries, and bistros serving eclectic fare and fresh takes on Southern classics. Personal favorite, Carson’s on Main, my must stop and it is a fun time dining at the bar with a football game on!

Unforgettable Equine Experiences, tour hundreds of stunning Thoroughbred farms. Meet horse racing’s legends and future superstars. Experience the historic beauty and pulsepounding thrill of Keeneland.

Lexington has a flavor all its own. Local farms fuel an expansive culinary scene that’s as imaginative as it is delicious.

www.VisitLex.com

JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa Debuts All-New Turnberry Isle Racquet Club

The iconic South Florida resort spanning 300 acres of accessible luxury, is proud to announce the debut of Turnberry Isle Racquet Club — a dynamic expansion of the resort’s celebrated wellness and fitness offerings. The new facility, opening on December 15, 2025, introduces three pickleball courts and two

Of course they do have 2 golf courses as well, the Championship Miller Course and the Soffer Course. These 36-holes are unlike any other in Florida. They bend and stretch past tropical landscaping. In 1970, legendary course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr., created 36 masterful holes of golf. In 2007, World Golf Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd added his own style with a spectacular forty-five-million-dollar renovation. Each hole is framed by indigenous tropical landscaping, creating a privacy barrier so that each foursome feels as though they are the only players on the course. Sight lines from the tee demand as much strategy as distance of the shot. Contoured fairways, clever doglegs, undulating greens and strategically placed hazards provide plenty of challenge. In September 2018 a new 18th hole debuted on the Soffer Course. The newly renovated hole is a 435yard par four and requires a precise tee shot over water to a narrow landing area.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ miajt-jw-marriott-miami-turnberry-resortand-spa/overview/

Have Paddle will Travel

From a family business back in 2018 to a thriving pickleball academy that continues to grow by offering unique and ‘taylored’ pickleball development programs, events and vacations to players across North America and beyond.

Taylored Pickleball Academy (TPA) stands at the forefront of pickleball training, offering an elite experience

designed to refine and elevate every player’s skill. Dedicated to excellence, their students will tell you that they provide high-level coaching, cutting-edge techniques, and personalized instruction to ensure each player achieves their full potential on the court.

One value that has never waivered is their passion for this sport and their drive to provide exceptional experiences to all whom they meet on the court, wherever in the world that court may be…… they have taken people to destinations such as Mexico, Punta Cana, Croatia, Costa Rica and more.

Not kidding about “wherever in the world that courts may be!” In the past year and a bit Taylored Pickleball Academy has escorted over 500 picklers around the world. 2 groups of 60+ to Mexico, mucho number of cervaisas and tequila off the court. Now doubt some fine cuisine, from the kitchen of course and vino Tinto for the 48 that ventured to Italy and many more.

Destinations in play for 2026 include: Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, the South of Italy, Mexico, Croatia, Greece, the Okanagan in Western Canada, PEI on Canada’s East Coast and a most unique adventure to Whitehorse and Dawson City in the Yukon. Of note: when you travel to Canada your US Dollar gets you about 30% on the exchange, not to mention the much more pleasant temps than certainly in the US South.

Pickleball is better when paired with extraordinary travel experiences.

TPA’s Pickleball Vacations! Emerse your-

selves in breathtaking all-inclusive or bucketlist destinations for an unforgettable week of training, adventure, and relaxation. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just starting your pickleball journey, you’ll receive expert coaching from TPA’s elite instructors while exploring stunning locales. You will come home with elevated skills, have met fellow enthusiasts, and created lasting memories on an the ultimate pickleball getaway.

Time and issue but want to play better pickleball???? Ranging from 1 to 3 days in length and offered at various locations across Canada, these camps are perfect for players seeking to elevate their game but have limited time to

dedicate to training. TPA Camps are designed to deliver high-impact pickleball instruction in a condensed, focused format, expert coaching, targeted drills, and dynamic gameplay.

I can only imagine a BIG KIDS CAMP, where the quality of dinks could depend on the quantity of drinks LOL! For more information: www,TayloredPickleballAcademy.ca Contact email is info@tayloredpickleballacademy.ca

SEEING RED – Skechers Red

From just before Christmas when the Skechers e-blast titles Radiant Red crossed my desk, I have been Seeing Red! Self admittedly I love the color Red. As I guy who wears Loudmouth clothing big bold colors are my thing. Browns and greens are for those afraid to be seen. Just my opinion! I am just waiting for the day when Skechers comes out with red golf shoes and pickleball court shoes.

Skechers have shoes for just about any occasion, I know I have them all from sandals, to golf and court shoes and some that I can get by with as dress shoes!

Here are a couple that caught my attention. For those that think Walking is a sport, and it is!

Slip-ins: GO WALK Flex - Grand Entry: Step-in to convenient walking comfort and cushioning. Designed with their Heel Pillow®, this sporty vegan slip-on features a mesh and synthetic upper with stretch laces, a Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam® insole, and lightweight ULTRA GO® cushioning….. and you’ve gotta love that they are machine washable.

Slip-ins: Glide-Step Pro: Step into flexible comfort, designed with their Heel Pillow®, this stretch-laced style features a mesh upper with synthetic hotmelt overlays, a Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam® comfort insole and a Glide-Step® geometric cushioned midsole. Also machine washable!

Skechers, “The Comfort Technology Company” provides a wide range of comfortable and stylish footwear for work, sports, and everyday wear, featuring technologies like Arch Fit and Max Cushioning. Check out local stores or browse online for the latest collections, clothing as well. Check on line and you might find some of their great products on sale. Why not!

www.skechers.com