Opinion & Analysis
An inside look at playing in a PGA Tour Pro-Am
You’re standing on the first tee, addressing the ball. Suddenly, your breathing grows considerably more noticeable and the ball becomes tiny — not unlike a cartoon character watching the earth disappear as he’s hurling into space. Welcome to your first PGA Tour Pro-Am; your central nervous system will be taking over from here.
Good luck.
Unfortunately, that’s exactly how I felt as I participated in the Heritage Bag Pro-Am ahead of the Sanderson Farms Championship at the Country Club of Jackson (Miss.). Fortunately, that feeling would subside… though it took me a couple holes.
How did I find myself in such a terrifying, yet enviable position?
Flashback three days. Our plane touched down at soggy Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Mother Nature cancelled Sunday’s round at Jack Nicklaus’ Grand Bear Golf Course, so we loaded into a van and headed down the coast to the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi.
As a guest of Visit Mississippi — the state’s tourism department — I sat back and watched the miles of beach pass by. Not even the gray skies could dampen my mood and anticipation for the three days of golf that remained.
Following 18 holes Monday on the Davis Love III-designed Shell Landing Golf Club (Gautier) and another round Tuesday at The Oaks (Pass Christian), we headed north toward Jackson for the Pro-Am draft party.
This gala comes complete with culinary delights and an open bar. But wait, there’s more. As a participant in the Pro-Am, we’re invited into a special room to go “shopping.” The Nexbelt — a belt with no holes offered in black, brown or white — was only the tip of the endowed iceberg. Titleist offered up several packages — from outfits and shoes to drivers and wedges — most coming with dozens of Pro V1s. I chose a couple Vokey wedges.
On to the draft.
Of the 44 teams, half would play in the morning session, while the other half were scheduled for afternoon. The pros were already given their tee times, so a random draw determined from which wave you’d select. Our number came up with only three pros remaining in the morning — we quickly chose Bryce Molder.
Bryce Molder on the tee. Photo(s) courtesy of Visit Mississippi.
A 6:44 a.m. tee time meant a very early wake-up call, so the gala, for us, was finished.
The rising sun reveled a crowded driving range — professionals to one side, amateurs on the other. While I could have watched the pros for hours, I took an opportunity to hit a couple balls of my own. Early results that followed would have suggested a need for even more warm-up shots, but I believe it was the aforementioned nerves — not ability and tightness — that were to blame.
Pre-round introductions and commemorative photos out of the way, today’s game was a shamble. We’d take the best drive and then play our own ball through the remainder of the hole. Par was our “friend,” meaning if you can’t make par, put the ball in your pocket. No sense in carding a snowman.
From the first tee shot to the final putt, Molder and his caddie, “Big E” (Eric Bajas), were incredibly friendly, offered yardages and read breaks in the greens. All of that — and one of my playing partner’s big drives — helped us to a four-hour round and “leader in the clubhouse” status. Canadian Graham DeLaet’s team eventually overtook us.
Photo(s) courtesy of Visit Mississippi.
Like every stop on the PGA Tour, the biggest winner is charity. Sounds cliche, but it’s true. Proceeds from the Sanderson Farms Championship go to Friends of Children’s Hospital, benefitting children at Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children, as well as other Mississippi charities. The total amount raised by the tournament for Mississippi charities will be announced in the coming weeks.
Aronimink is not a storied club, but when Donald Ross himself proclaimed it to be as good as he can design and build, one had to take notice. Jay Sigel was the pre-eminent male amateur golfer from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He might have called any number of Philadelphia clubs home, but he chose Aronimink. It served him well. Gary Player won a PGA Championship here in 1962, and was followed by the 1993 winner … nobody. Aronimink gave that event away to Inverness, for reasons of which it is certainly not proud. So be it. We had to wait sixty-four years for the PGA to return to Newtown Square, but here we are. Aronimink has been neo-restored by Gil Hanse and team, to return Ross features with an eye toward defense against the dark arts, errrr, high-tech equipment.
Day one saw Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau dig big holes, to the tune of plus-four and plus-six, respectively. Since the first-round lead will be minus-three at worst, many shots will need to be made up for the power couple to reach contention. By nightfall, seven golfers held the day-one lead at three-under par 67. Shots and sticks caught our attention, and we are proud to present Five Things We Learned on Tech Thursday at the 2026 PGA Championship. Thanks to InsideTourGolfer, Today’s Golfer, and GolfWRX for initial equipment research.
First, meet Min Woo Lee
Min Woo Lee, aka Dr. Chipinski, has once again thrust himself into the conversation of Can he, will he, when will he? Lee has so much talent, wins not nearly as often as we believe that he should, and has no major near-misses (much less titles) on his wiki. The young Aussie is getting older and wiser, but is he able to avoid the scarring that holds the older and wiser back from breaking through? Philadelphia offers another opportunity. Min Woo signed for five birdies and two bogeys on day one, and grabbed a share of the opening-day lead at Aronimink. Winners transcend history and the moment, and Lee will need that sort of ascent to lift the Wannamaker on Sunday.
Second, meet Aldrich Potgeiter
The young South African golfer can rip driver with the best of them. Aronimink tips out at nearly 7400 yards, but beyond the fairway bunkers that ensnare only the mortals, Potgeiter can take his chances with wedge from the rough. On Thursday, he spent plenty of time in the spinach. Like Popeye, he used his muscles to gouge and thrash and dig his way out. Six birdies against three bogeys on the card brought AP in a three deep.
Third, meet Martin Kaymer
Not a major event takes place without a where’s he been throwback moment. We know that Martin Kaymer left the PGA and DP World tours for LIV golf, but the two-time (US Open and PGA) major winner has a lifetime exemption into at least one major event, and he seizes the opportunity each May. Kaymer joined the six-seven brigade with four birdies and a solitary bogey on day one. Kaymer was never a long hitter, and the years are kind to no golfer. The German champion will need to uncork every bottle of guile and strategy in his cabinet to remain in contention. For today, though, he occupies a rung on the ladder of Tour Tech.
Fourth, meet Scottie Scheffler
Let’s see, he’s the defending champion at the PGA, and he found his way back to the top tier with five birdies against two bogeys. To be a favorite and then play up to that stature and expectation is quite difficult. Just ask Rory, Bryson, and some of the other pre-tournament heartthrobs. Scheffler’s game is complete, and to knock him off the OWGR #1 pedestal, one needs to defeat him at the majors. Aronimink is the sort of course that fits Scheffler’s game. Better yet, it unfits the game of many of his challengers. Don’t expect Scheffler to go away anytime soon. Come Sunday, he’ll be around.
Fifth, meet Stephan Jaeger
Clocking in for the unheralded players shift are Ryo Hisatsune and Stephan Jaeger. Hisatsune logged seven birdies on day one, but gave most of them back with four bogeys. Still, he’s tied at the top for a time. Jaeger pitched five birdies against two bogeys, including a run of three consecutive, from holes four through six. Odds are that one of the two will hang around through 36 holes. Odds also suggest that both will be gone by Saturday evening. Still, the PGA Championship has historically been the major most likely to be won by an under-known. Both Hisatsune and Jaeger feature on that list, so good luck, lads!
On this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, I head to the Titleist Performance Institute for a full driver fitting with the new Titleist GTS lineup. We dive into the fitting process, talk about what made the biggest difference in performance, and break down how the different GTS heads and shaft combinations compare on the launch monitor. If you are thinking about a new driver setup for this season, there is a lot to take away from this one.
I also get into Brooks Koepka and the gear setup he brought to the PGA Championship, including the putters that caught my eye during the week. There are some interesting equipment trends showing up at the highest level right now and we break down what stands out.
To wrap things up, I talk about reshafting a few wedges, what I learned during the process, and swapping an adaptor onto a new shaft for another build project in the shop. A gear packed episode from start to finish for anyone who loves golf equipment and club building.
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Excited for this week’s WITB as we get to add the new Titleist GTS woods to the bag! I was fit at Titleist’s TPI facility in Oceanside California a few weeks ago and my new clubs just showed up. I am also adding a cool set of irons that I built last year some wild custom wedges into a new golf bag. Speaking of the bag I have a new Ghost Anyday Black Ops stand bag that I will be using on my Motocaddy Remote M7 electric cart.
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (11 degrees @ 10.25)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 6s
3-wood: Titleist GT1 3Tour (14.5 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD CQ-7s
5-wood: Titleist GTS (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7s
9-wood: Titleist GT1 (24 degress)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7s
Irons: Bettinardi CB24 (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper Lite 110 stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (50-09 SB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (56-12 SB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (60-08 LB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Putter: Dan Carraher ZT Proto
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
Bag: Ghost Anyday Black Ops Stand Bag
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Patrick Reed WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)...
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9 degrees) Shaft: Aldilda Synergy Blue 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
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Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees) Shaft: Project X Prototype 3-wood: Krank Formula Fire (10 degrees) Shaft: LA Golf BAD...
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JT
Jan 14, 2016 at 10:40 pm
Hey Rob, saw you are a course rater.. If you’re a member if a private course, how often can the course be rated, and what are the circumstances for it to be rated again if it’s only been a few years?
Rob Thomas
Oct 25, 2016 at 3:48 pm
Hey JT – Sorry … Didn’t realize there were questions and comments (wish I hadn’t read some of the comments).
A course can be rated over and over – no timeframe. Each new rating erases the last.
As for why we’d rate it again … Often renovations change a course for better or worse. A course will often reach out following some work they feel has enhanced the playing conditions or overall experience.
Hope this answers your question.
Rob
Bob
Dec 14, 2015 at 8:55 am
Yes I would like to know what’s it’s like to play a pro-am, maybe someone will write an article that actually gives some insight one day. zzzzz PR
viking62
Dec 9, 2015 at 1:10 pm
I’ve never played in a pro am – don’t have that kind of money or connections, but I recently got to play with an ex pro in a men’s night event. The pro was Ashley Chinner, who had a 13th finish at the 1998 Canadian Open – I think he a bunch of top 10s on the web.com tour as well.
I really wanted to play well to see how my game stacked up. Now Mr. Chinner is no longer a pro – but if not for some shaky putting a 70 would have been a 65, he can still play. Well my nerves were even worse than when I play amateur tournaments. I was horrible. I was a 1 handicap at the time and my first tee shot went about 150 yards in the left rough and never got more than 6 feet off the ground.
The best part for me, the ex-pro loves to teach, he gave me a tip to help me stop hitting hooks . Shot my career round the next day.
kc
Dec 9, 2015 at 12:47 pm
After many rounds inside the ropes. Pros are people also they have good days & bad days and not only because what occurs on the course. All recognize the pro-am as a great way to practice, support worthy causes & the tour. They don’t expect amateurs to play great or well and hold little/no expectations. Everyone is nervous playing with them and in front f the crowds.
Article is very accurate about Bryce & Big E, his caddie. Have enjoyed every round with them both are great.
OB Left and Right
Dec 9, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Would have loved a little bit more info. Yeah, I get it. It is an ad, but give a little better play by play. Maybe answer questions like: What was it like hitting in front of a crowd? Did you get some yellow striped range balls or did you was it like the Pro’s range of name brand balls? Did you have a dedicated practice area for the AM’s or could you roll a few with the big guys? How much clubhouse access did you receive? I mean, could you stroll into the players areas or was there a place for the AMs to change shoes and the like?
While I know the answers could be different from tourney to tourney, it would be nice to get a real picture of what goes on. Maybe this is all something you could add to a forum submission…
MK
Dec 9, 2015 at 4:06 pm
I’ve only played in one pro am at Bay Hill last year, but to answer your questions the Ams played different tees than the pros, probably closer to 6,500 yards. We played our own balls each hole and took the best net score for the group, with a max of par. We had full inside the ropes access on the course – driving range, putting green, short game area etc, so we could putt next to the pros, roll the prototype putters in bags around the green, etc (though most of the equipment is gone by the Wed pro-am). Some poor soul even asked for my autograph on the way from the putting green to the range (he must not have watched me warm up), and I have a huge regret in not signing. Inside the clubhouse was different – we had a pro-am lunch area that was separate from the pros, and a separate locker room. Overall it was a truly incredible experience, probably the best golf experience I’ve ever had, so if you ever get a chance jump at it.
Rob Thomas
Oct 25, 2016 at 3:54 pm
OB L&R,
I often have trouble hitting in front of strangers – first tee or playing through. Imagine that multiplied by 10. That was the first few holes, but settled down after that and hardly noticed the spectators. That said, there really aren’t too many at the pro-am. Nothing like the tournament, of course.
The balls at the range weren’t tour balls, but were very nice. Certainly a lot better than you’d see at a standard range.
The range was split – pros to one side and amateurs to the other – but the putting green was mingled.
We had access to the clubhouse, but not the locker rooms. Some pros sat and had lunch with their team.
Sorry it took so long to reply. I didn’t know there were questions and comments.
Cheers!
Rob
TheCityGame
Dec 7, 2015 at 1:35 pm
Come on man, this is a golf site. How about some hole-by-hole.
Did you play the same tees? If so, did you ever NOT use the pro’s drive?
Did you ever stick one inside the pro from the same distance?
Were you impressed with his play, or surprised at some of the putts he missed?
Did your group ever make putts from outside him, or was he just dominant? Did you just use his score every hole?
What stood out about playing with him?
alexdub
Dec 7, 2015 at 3:00 pm
+1
While this may be a puff piece for Visit Mississippi, some particulars of the behind-the-ropes experience would have been nice.
Rob Thomas
Oct 25, 2016 at 4:02 pm
TheCityGame,
Sorry for the 10-month delay. Didn’t see the questions/comments.
We played forward tees. I’d they were equivalent to middle tees on a 5-tee course. We were under 6,500 yards.
In our case, the shorter tees and a long hitter in our group meant we only took Molder’s tee shot on two holes – par 3s.
I think we finished at 14-under. A couple were Molder’s birdies (a tap-in on a long par 3 comes to mind), but most were our birdies or pars that played to birdies because of handicap.
We each had a few excellent approaches, but Molder was clearly the pro in our group. His swing was smooth and his misses were better than most of our “pured” shots. It’s really a shock to see how much better a PGA Tour pro is than the best player you’ve played with. A scratch player can’t compete.
Hope this shines a little more light.
Cheers!
Rob
Martin
Dec 6, 2015 at 6:04 pm
Would be fun.
Rwj
Dec 5, 2015 at 2:56 pm
Sounds great to me. Nice to hear the player and caddie are good people
Jay
Dec 7, 2015 at 8:24 am
Most of them are great – played with Cink last year at the Humana and could not have asked for a better “host” for the day