News

Golf Gratitude: Golf is getting younger

Published

11 months ago

Sep 19, 2024

The golf landscape has seen an unprecedented shift in recent years, as evidenced by the latest National Golf Foundation (NGF) statistics. Over the past four years, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of kids picking up golf, injecting fresh enthusiasm and diversity into a game once dominated by older generations.

According to the NGF’s 2024 report, the total number of golfers in the United States has reached nearly 45 million, with a significant chunk of this growth attributed to younger players. This remarkable growth trend is not just a fleeting pandemic-induced phenomenon; it represents a sustained and growing interest among the youth, driven by several factors, including increased accessibility, innovative youth programs, and the surprising resurgence of going outside and getting some old-fashioned physical activity in each day, something surely inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. When Americans could not participate in many activities in 2020 and 2021, golf was deemed a safe outdoor activity, contributing to its rise in popularity, kids included. The total number of junior golfers in the U.S. has experienced an incredible 40-percent upswing over the past four years, reflecting a trend toward a younger and trendier golfing demographic.

Golf on social media and YouTube has also played a big part in the rise of the game among our youth. For more on that part of the equation, check out my article on RG.org from last month, “YouTube Golf: Transforming the Game, One Click and View at a Time, And Mainstream Golf Has Now Officially Taken Notice,”

This surge in youth engagement heralds a bright future for golf, ensuring that the greens will be vibrant with young talent for decades to come. The NGF’s findings clearly indicate that the game is successfully bridging generational gaps and expanding its reach, ensuring that the love for golf continues to grow.

As the founder of my Little Linksters program, academy, and nonprofit organization back in 2008, I have long contended that golf is the perfect lifetime sport and that getting a club in kids’ hands at the youngest age possible is important.

Why is it important?

It is not at all about getting kids into the game young so you can train them to be the next Scottie Scheffler or Nelly Korda. If that happens, then fantastic, but that is not why introducing kids to the game is essential. Golf teaches numerous life lessons and is an incredible conduit for creating friendships that last a lifetime. That is the spirit of this great game.

One of the many initiatives I have started through Little Linksters celebrates golf among the youngest of our global population. I am immensely proud to celebrate the 13th year of our Little Linksters Best Pee Wee Golf Swing in the World Video Contest this year. This contest has become a cherished tradition in the world of junior golf, providing a unique platform for young golfers, ages 2 to 12, to showcase their swings and grow their love for the game.

From its humble beginnings in 2011, the Best Pee Wee Golf Swing in the World Video Contest was designed with a clear vision: to highlight the prodigious talent of our youngest golfers and foster a spirit of enthusiasm and sportsmanship from an early age. Over the years, it has become a global phenomenon, drawing entries from around the world and producing some truly unforgettable moments.

One of the unique aspects of our contest is the panel of distinguished judges we’ve had the honor of including. Notable golf figures such as Annika Sörenstam, Jordan Spieth, Lydia Ko, In-Bee Park, Tommy Fleetwood, Brooke Henderson, Andrew “Beef” Johnston, Tony Jacklin, Hank Haney, Lexi Thompson, Jim McLean, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Keegan Bradley, David Leadbetter, Michelle Wie, Lauren Thompson, Sam Ryder, Stacy Lewis, Alexa Pano, and many others have lent their insights and expertise, providing invaluable feedback to our young stars. Their participation elevates the contest’s prestige and inspires these young golfers to dream big as they hone their skills.

The contest is straightforward yet impactful. In ages groups of Under 3, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12, Parents and guardians are invited to submit a short video of their child’s golf swing, captured in a fun and positive environment. Over the years, we’ve seen swings on pristine courses, backyards, and even living rooms—each video brimming with the unique charm and promise of our participants. Our esteemed panel of judges then evaluates the entries, selecting the best swings based on form, technique, and overall potential.

But this contest is about more than just finding the next youthful phenom. It’s about celebrating the journey of learning golf, from those first swings to the more refined techniques that come with practice and dedication. It’s about building confidence, instilling the values of discipline and perseverance, and nurturing a lifelong passion for the game.

Little Linksters has always been about more than just teaching golf; it’s about creating a supportive and engaging environment for young golfers to thrive. Our programs are rooted in developing not just physical skills but also social and emotional growth. We believe that the lessons learned on the course—patience, integrity, and respect—are invaluable in life beyond golf.

Reflecting on our 13-year journey, I am filled with gratitude for the community that has supported us. From the parents and guardians who submit those cherished video entries to the professional golfers and instructors who give their time to judge to the sponsors who help make it all possible — each has played a vital role in the contest’s success.

This Year’s Contest…

As we look to the 2024 contest, our commitment remains steadfast: to shine a spotlight on the incredible young talents in our sport, to encourage their development, and to continue spreading the joy and values of golf to the next generation.

For full details, including rules, or to enter your child, go to: https://littlelinksters.com/2023-little-linksters-best-pee-wee-golf-swing-contest/

The entry deadline is Monday, September 30th, at 11:59 p.m.

Here’s to another fantastic year of celebrating the Best Pee Wee Golf Swing in the World!

Golf Gratitude: Your weekly dose of good vibes from the golf world is my new weekly look at the feel-good stories happening in golf. Why? Because we all need a little dose of good vibes occasionally.

News

Tour Rundown: Bend, but don’t break

Published

3 weeks ago

Aug 4, 2025

Ronald Montesano

I’m going to gush in this intro paragraph, to get the emo stuff done early. I’ve not pulled harder for a professional to win, than Cameron Young. I coach golf in New York state, and each spring, my best golfers head to a state championship in Poughkeepsie. I first saw Cameron there as a 9th grade student. I saw him three more times after that. I reconnecected with Coach Haas from Wake Forest, an old interview subject from my days on the Old Gold and Black, the Wake newspaper. He was there to watch Cameron. After four years at Wake Forest, Young won on the Korn Ferry Tour, made it to the big tour, almost won two majors, almost won five other events, and finally got the chalice about 25 minutes from the Wake campus. Congratulations, Cameron. You truly are a glass of the finest. #MotherSoDear

OK, let’s move on to the Tour Rundown. The major championship season closed this week in Wales, with the Women’s Open championship. The PGA Tour bounced through Greensboror, N.C., while the PGA Tour Americas hit TO (aka, Toronto) for a long-winded event. The Korn Ferry lads made a stop in Utah, one of just two events for that tour in August. The many-events, golf season is winding down, as we ease from summer toward fall in the northern hemisphere. Let’s bask in the glory of an August sunrise, and run down a quartet of events from the first weekend of the eighth month.

LET/LPGA @ Women’s Open: Miyu bends, but she doesn’t break

Royal Porthcawl was not a known commodity in the major tournament community. The Welsh links had served as host to men’s senior opens, men’s amateurs, and Curtis and Walker Cups in prior years, but never an Open championship for the women or the men. The last-kept secret in UK golf was revealed once again to the world this week, as the best female golfers took to the sandy stage.

Mao Saigo, Grace Kim, Maja Stark, and Minjee Lee hoped to add a second major title to previous wins this season, but only Lee was able to finish inside the top ten. The 2025 playing of the Women’s Open gave us a new-faces gallery from day one. The Kordas and Thitikulls were nowhere to be found, and it was the Mayashitas, Katsus, and Lim Kims that secured the Cymru spotlight. The first round lead was held at 67 by two golfers. One of them battled to the end, while the other posted 81 on day two, and missed the cut. Sitting one shot behind was Miyu Yamashita.

On day two, Yamashita posted the round of the tournament. Her 65 moved her to the front of the aisle, in just her fourth turn around a women’s Open championship. With the pre-event favorites drifting off pace, followers narrowed into two camps: those on the side of an underdog, and others hoping for a weekend charge from back in the pack. In the end, we had a bit of both.

On Saturday, Yamashita bent with 74 on Saturday, offering rays of hope to her pursuing pack. England’s Charley Hull made a run on Sunday closing within one shot before tailing off to a T2 finish with Minami Katsu. Katsu posted the other 65 of the week, on Saturday, but could not overtake her countrywoman, Yamashita. wunderkind Lottie Woad needed one round in the 60s to find her pace, but could only must close-to’s, ending on 284 and a tie with Minjee for eighth.

On Sunday, Yamashita put away the thoughts of Saturday’s struggles, with three-under 33 on the outward half. She closed in plus-one 37, but still won by two, for a first Major and LPGA title.

PGA Tour @ Wyndham: Young gathers first title near home

Cameron Young grew up along the Hudson river, above metro New York, but he also calls Winston-Salem home. He spent four years as a student and athlete at Wake Forest University, then embarked on tour. This week in Greensboro, after a bit of a break, Young opened with 63-62, and revved the engine of Is this the week once more. Runner-up finishes at the Open, the PGA, and a handful of PGA Tour events had followers wonder when the day would come.

On Saturday, Young continued his torrid pace with 65, giving him a five-shot advantage over his closest pursuer. Sunday saw the Scarborough native open with bogey, then reel off five consecutive birdies to remind folks that his time had, at last, arrived. Pars to the 16th, before two harmless bogeys coming home, made Young the 1000th winner of an official PGA Tour event (dating back to before there was a PGA Tour) throughout history. What’s next? I have a suspicion, but I’m not letting on. Mac Meissner closed with 66 to finish solo 2nd, while Mark Hubbard and Alex Noren tied for third.

Korn Ferry Tour @ Utah Championship: Are you Suri it’s Julian?

Who knows exactly when the flower will bloom? Julian Suri played a solid careet at Duke University, then paid his dues on the world’s minor tours for three years. He won twice on two tours in Europe, in 2017. Since then, the grind has continued for the journeyman from New York city. At age 34, Suri broke through in Beehive state, outlasting another grinder (Spencer Levin) and four others, by two shots.

Taylor Montgomery began the week with 62, then posted 64, then 68, and finally, 70. That final round was his undoing. He finished in that second-place tie, two back of the leader. Trace Crowe, Barend Botha, and Kensei Hirata made up the last of the almost quintet. As for Suri, his Sunday play was sublime. His nines were 32 and 31, with his only radar blip a bogey at ten. He closed in style with one final birdie, to double his winning margin. Hogan bloomed late…might Suri?

PGA Tour Americas @ Osprey Valley Open presented by Votorantim Cimentos – CBM Aggregates

Some tournament names run longer than others. This week in Toronto, at the Heathlands course at TPC Toronto, we might have seen the longest tournament title in recorded history. The OVOPBVCCBMA was a splendid affair. It saw three rounds of 62 on Thursday, but of those early risers, only Drew Goodman would stick around until the end. 64 was the low tally on day two, and two of those legionnaires managed to finish inside the top three at week’s end. Saturday brought a 63 from Patrick Newcomb, and he would follow with 64 on Sunday, to finish solo fourth.

Who, then, ended up winning the acronym of the year? It turns out that Carson Bacha had the right stuff in TeeOhhh. Bacha and Jay Card III posted 63 and 64, respectively, on day four, to tie for medalist honors at 23-under 261. Nathan Franks was one shot adrift, despite also closing with 63. If you didn’t go low on Sunday, it was about the check, not the championship.

Bacha and JC3 returned to the 18th hole twice in overtime. Card nearly chipped in from the thick stuff for birdie, while Bacha peeked and shoved a ten-feet attempt at the win. On the second go-round, Card was long with his approach, into the native grasses once more. He was unable to escape, and a routine par from the fairway was enough to earn the former Auburn golfers a first KFT title.

Card III and Bacha both miss their birdie tries on the first playoff hole.

We’ll play 18 again @OspreyOpen. pic.twitter.com/vNpHTdkHDg

— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) August 3, 2025

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2025 Wyndham Championship

Published

4 weeks ago

Jul 29, 2025

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is live this week from the final event of the PGA Tour’s regular season, the Wyndham Championship.

Photos are flowing into the forums from Sedgefield Country Club, where we already have a GolfWRX spirit animal Adam Schenk WITB and plenty of putters for your viewing pleasure.

Check out links to all our photos below, which we’ll continue to update as more arrive.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

News

BK’s Breakdowns: Kurt Kitayama’s Winning WITB, 3M Open

Published

4 weeks ago

Jul 28, 2025

Brian Knudson

Kurt Kitayama just won his 2nd PGA Tour event at the 3M Open. Kurt is a Bridgestone staffer but with just the ball and bag. Here are the rest of the clubs he used to secure a win at the 2025 3M Open.

Driver: Titleist GT3 (11 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 7 TX

3-wood: Titleist GT1 3Tour (14.5 degrees, A3 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 TX

7-wood: Titleist GT1 (21 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 9 TX

Irons: TaylorMade P7CB (4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-12F, 56-14F), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2 Tour Prototype
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy 1.0PT

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Bridgestone Tour B XS (with Mindset)