Latest Golf News

The Thunderbirds – hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open – unveiled a new tournament logo today that will be used in all event messaging, marketing and branding beginning with the 2021 WM Phoenix Open, scheduled to be played Feb. 1-7 at TPC Scottsdale, and beyond. The new moniker features the most iconic hole in golf – the 16th hole stadium at TPC Scottsdale – and partner Waste Management’s distinctive WM.

“We’re extremely excited to unveil our new tournament logo, which we feel reflects the modern look and feel of our event,” said 2021 WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman Scott Jenkins. “The new logo is recognizable and fitting for our world-class tournament and representative of an outstanding partnership with Waste Management – one of the very best on the PGA TOUR.”

In 2019, Waste Management extended its title sponsorship of the Phoenix Open through 2030, which replaced a 10-year agreement endorsed during the 2016 tournament. Since Waste Management became title sponsor in 2010, the WM Phoenix Open has raised more than $95 million for Arizona charities, while Waste Management’s zero waste approach – which began at the 2012 event – has diverted tournament waste through recycling, composting, donation, reuse or energy creation, making the WM Phoenix Open the largest zero waste sporting event in the world.

Arrive:

If caddies are available:

Remember caddie programs are an excellent way for young people to earn some money and be exposed to a - sport that they can enjoy and might help shape their character.

A good caddie can make the round more enjoyable by giving you hints that might lower your score.

A good caddie can provide information on yardage, club selection, reading the greens and the layout of the course.

Warm Up:

Try to arrive soon enough to give yourself time to warm up properly.

Work your way though the bag, beginning with the short irons, moving onto the mid-and long irons and then the woods.

It's often a good idea to finish warming up by hitting a few soft wedge shots before heading for the practice green and hitting a few putts.

Don't hit hundreds of balls and leave your game on the practice tee.

In this video Neil Tappin and Joel Tadman test out two trolleys from Motocaddy. The Motocaddy M7 Remote offers all the freedom of a remote control trolley. The M5 GPS provides the convenience of distance measurements on the central console. The question is, which of these high tech options is best and which one might be right for you?

The Thunderbirds began nearly a century ago with the mission to promote the Valley of the Sun through sport. These days, the primary sport used to raise money for charity and create Scottsdale tourism interest from all over the world is golf, specifically the Waste Management Phoenix Open. But, as we see in this installment of In the Community Conversations, the impact of The Thunderbirds – and their charitable giving arm Thunderbirds Charities – is a positive impact on all kinds of sports, coaches and youth in our communities.

Scott Jenkins, 2021 WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman, recently sat down with Rich Tomey, Executive Director of the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) to discuss the impact of the current health crisis on their organization and youth sports in general and how they’ve continued their mission of creating positive, character-building youth sports environments without direct, in-person contact.

"Stop picking your head up..."

Every golfer has heard it a time or two in their life. But PGA Coach Jessica Barts says that theory may actually be hurting your golf game.

Barts, an Assistant Professional at Cowan's Ford Golf Club in Stanley, North Carolina, sent us a couple of drills you can work on from the comfort of your home or on the range that debunks the theory of 'keeping your head down.'

And if you have been struggling with your wedges lately, Barts has a drill for that too...

In this video, Neil Tappin is joined by rules guru Jeremy Ellwood to look at the rules specifically related to bunkers. They discuss what you are and are not allowed to do to help avoid any confusion and potential penalty shots.

Bryson Dechambeau on how to "Bryson-proof" a course before Shriners

Bryson DeChambeau’s first start since winning the U.S. Open is off to a good start. The long hitter, whose physical transformation has been the talk of the TOUR, shot 59 in Wednesday’s pro-am for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

DeChambeau’s round got off to a relatively slow start. He made birdie on the first hole but was just 3 under par after eight holes. A birdie on the par-5 ninth hole gave him a 4-under 31 on the front nine. He turned it on when he made the turn, making birdie on the first six holes of the back nine before an eagle at the par-5 16th. DeChambeau lipped out a putt on 18 for 58. He shot 8-under 28 on his final nine holes.

In this video, Neil Tappin lists out the 10 items every golfer should carry. This is not about the obvious things like clubs and balls but all those other things that can make a big difference to your game, especially in difficult weather conditions. Carrying all the things you need without making your bag too heavy is a tricky balance - Neil's pointers should help you get it right!

Early in the week of the Cambia Portland Classic, when smoke from the Oregon wildfires wiped out practice and trimmed the tournament to 54 holes, LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan tweeted:

“Hey 2020 – that all you got?? Virus, quarantine, borders, air quality, extreme temps, limited travel, no fans, etc. No worries – you can’t stop @LPGA ! We #DriveOn – 70 years & never stronger!”

As if to prove Whan’s point, the Tour’s passage through the Pacific Northwest served up more than its share of excitement, needing two holes beyond the planned 54 before Georgia Hall topped Ashleigh Buhai on Sunday.

“I was pretty nervous the last six holes and definitely in the playoff, but I'm really happy to get the job done,” Hall said after securing the victory on the second extra hole. “I'm happy to get over the line and get my first American win.”

Hall, who started the final round four strokes behind leader Mel Reid, closed with a 68 to complete three rounds at 12-under-par 204. Buhai was even better in the final round, finishing with a 65 to erase a seven-stroke deficit and earn a spot in the playoff.

The Thunderbirds began nearly a century ago with the mission to promote the Valley of the Sun through sport. These days, the primary sport used to raise money for charity and create Scottsdale tourism interest from all over the world is golf, specifically the Waste Management Phoenix Open. But, as we see in this installment of In the Community Conversations, the impact of The Thunderbirds – and their charitable giving arm Thunderbirds Charities – is a positive impact on all kinds of sports, coaches and youth in our communities.

Scott Jenkins, 2021 WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman, recently sat down with Rich Tomey, Executive Director of the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) to discuss the impact of the current health crisis on their organization and youth sports in general and how they’ve continued their mission of creating positive, character-building youth sports environments without direct, in-person contact.