19th Hole
PGA Tour pro provides ‘the lowest hanging fruit’ for golfers to lower their handicap
Michael Kim, who’s been extremely active on social media over the past year or so, once again took to X to give some tips for lowering your handicap.
According to Kim, the “lowest hanging fruit” to lower your handicap is adding distance.
My avg ball speed my rookie yr was 162 and max was 170. Now my avg is 172 and max is 180-182. With enough training and diligence, you can absolutely get longer, and not just 5 or 6 yards, 20-30 yards like I have. Distance is the lowest hanging fruit to lower ur handicap pic.twitter.com/Av9tGzsd6E
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) February 16, 2024
Some questions about what it’d be like with my rookie yr driver. It’s a common misconception but driver limits on CENTER hits have been on the edge for a while now. It’s the off center hits that have been the biggest difference. If I were to take my old driver and go all out, I’d…
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) February 16, 2024
Kim then referred back to his previous post from back in October, which went in depth about how he added speed and distance to his own game.
Yesterday, I mentioned that I have gained 20 yards since I turned pro and some followers asked me how I did it. There are lots of things that went into it and here’s a somewhat detailed ?
? goes Strength-Speed-Technique-Technology
Feel free to skip to the one you want pic.twitter.com/JmoFtGpBCL— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) October 3, 2023
First is strength. Pretty easy concept. I worked out much harder, and got stronger. My college coach, who was great in many many aspects, didn’t like us working out. Old school ?????. Max homa, Pace Johnson and I would sneak out to the regular student gym to workout lol.
Once I…— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) October 3, 2023
Speed
Just gaining strength has no guarantee on increasing driver distance. More strength does not always correlate to more speed. I’m fact more often it does not. The workouts make sure you have the potential and the muscles to do it safely without hurting yourself.In order…
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) October 3, 2023
Technique. Here are some pictures of my swing previously and now.
Some of you know how much I love hipturn and why I give that advice to so many amateurs. It’s a must for 90% of golfers imo. Watch my pinned video and thread on my profile if you haven’t already. You can see the… pic.twitter.com/QdLeFu6KBL
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) October 3, 2023
Technology: Obviously, technology has improved since I have turned pro. But from my experience, the good and really solid hits haven’t increased a ton, it’s the mishit that have gotten better. The drivers have been on the edge on ball speed for a while now. TrackMan had already…
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) October 3, 2023
There you have it! If you want to lower your handicap, add distance.
More from the 19th Hole
19th Hole
How much each player won at the 2026 Masters
Rory McIlroy made it two wins in as many years at Augusta National, seeing off the challengers on a dramatic Sunday to slip on the green jacket once again. The victory earned Rory a whopping payday of $4.5 million, with Scottie Scheffler his closest challenger earning $2.43 million for his sole runner-up finish.
With a total prize purse of $22.5 million up for grabs, here’s a look at how much each player won at the 2026 Masters tournament.
For players that did not make the cut, they still earned $25k for their efforts at the year’s opening major.
- 1: Rory McIlroy, $4.5 million
- 2: Scottie Scheffler, $2.43 million
- T3: Tyrrell Hatton, $1.08 million
- T3: Russell Henley, $1.08 million
- T3: Justin Rose, $1.08 million
- T3: Cameron Young, $1.08 million
- T7: Collin Morikawa, $725,625
- T7: Sam Burns, $725,625
- T9: Xander Schauffele, $630,00
- T9: Max Homa, $630,00
- 11: Jake Knapp, $562,500
- T12: Jordan Spieth, $427,500
- T12: Brooks Koepka, $427,500
- T12: Hideki Matsuyama, $427,500
- T12: Patrick Reed, $427,500
- T12: Patrick Cantlay, $427,500
- T12: Jason Day, $427,500
- T18: Viktor Hovland, $315,000
- T18: Maverick McNealy, $315,000
- T18: Matt Fitzpatrick, $315,000
- T21: Keegan Bradley, $252,000
- T21: Ludvig Aberg, $252,000
- T21: Wyndham Clark, $252,000
- T24: Matt McCarty, $182,083
- T24: Adam Scott, $182,083
- T24: Sam Stevens, $182,083
- T24: Chris Gotterup, $182,083
- T24: Michael Brennan, $182,083
- T24: Brian Campbell, $182,083
- T30: Alex Noren, $146,250
- T30: Harris English, $146,250
- T30: Shane Lowry, $146,250
- T33: Gary Woodland, $121,500
- T33: Dustin Johnson, $121,500
- T33: Brian Harman, $121,500
- T33: Tommy Fleetwood, $121,500
- T33: Ben Griffin, $121,500
- T38: Jon Rahm, $105,750
- T38: Ryan Gerard, $101,250
- T38: Haotong Li, $96,750
- T41: Justin Thomas, $92,250
- T41: Sepp Straka, $87,750
- T41: Jacob Bridgeman, $83,250
- T41: Kristoffer Reitan, $78,750
- T41: Nick Taylor, $74,250
- 46: Sungjae Im, $69,750
- 47: Si Woo Kim, $65,250
- 48: Aaron Rai, $61,650
- T49: Corey Conners, $57,600
- T49: Marco Penge, $57,600
- 51: Kurt Kitayama, $55,250
- 52: Sergio Garcia, $54,000
- 53: Rasmus Hojgaard, $52,650
- 54: Charl Schwartzel, $51,300
19th Hole
CBS’s Sunday Masters coverage slammed by golf fans
While Sunday was a dramatic day at the Masters, many golf fans were left feeling frustrated by the CBS final round coverage.
There were plenty of moments that golf fans took to social media to air their frustrations on Sunday over, including a lack of shots being shown throughout the day, being behind the live action, confusion over the approach shots of the final group on 18, and providing an angle for the winning putt where the cup couldn’t be seen.
Here’s a look at some of the criticisms that were directed at the CBS coverage throughout the day on X:



This has been a brutal broadcast for CBS. When the folks from Augusta sit down with them this year, you can bet they’ll talk about this 15 seconds where we have no idea where Rory’s ball went, and Dottie moans. #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/ak3mkpIN7V
— Ryan (@PossiblyRy) April 12, 2026
It’s rare criticism coming in for CBS, who are usually heavily praised for their Masters coverage each year.
19th Hole
The surprise club Tommy Fleetwood says is key to his Masters chances
Tommy Fleetwood goes in search for the first major victory of his career again this week, with the Englishman proving to be a popular pick at Augusta National.
Fleetwood’s best showing at Augusta came back in 2024 where he finished T3, and while speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, the 35-year-old emphasized the importance of his 9-wood in his pursuit of the green jacket.
Speaking on Tuesday to media, Fleetwood said:
“It’s a great 9-wood golf course. I think it’s always been — I can’t remember when I first put like a 9-wood in or a high lofted club, but it’s a perfect like 9-wood golf course. I’ve had that in the bag for a few years.”
The Englishman continued, revealing that his strategy for the week won’t just be to hit driver off the tee as much as possible:
“Yeah, it’s funny really because I know Augusta is probably associated with being fairly forgiving off the tee in a way, so you think you can whale around driver a little bit. But I don’t necessarily think that’s always the play for me. I think there’s holes that set up really well where I can draw it with the mini driver if I’m feeling less comfortable with the driver and things like that.”
That strategy he believes will make his TaylorMade Qi10 9-wood extra critical this week in Georgia:
“The biggest thing is the 9-wood for me. If I can put myself in position on the par-5s or the 4th long par-3, like it — for me, I can’t really hit that high 4-iron, so 9-wood helps me a lot.”

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