The post NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson shares valuable parallel between football and golf appeared first on Golf.

The post NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson shares valuable parallel between football and golf appeared first on Golf.

University of Michigan legend and NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson refuses to set aside his Wolverine pride, even for a certain Buckeye.

This interview was originally published in the December 2025 issue of GOLF Magazine.

GOLF: What’s your favorite thing about golf?

Charles Woodson: That there’s always room for improvement and that you can never figure the game out. No matter how well you play one day, the next day could be totally different. You can play a golf course one day and tomorrow the golf course would be set up totally different and play totally different. But it’s the same golf course. And so, you can never perfect it. It’s a tough game, but it’s fun and it’s always a challenge to try to get better.

G: What are some of the closest parallels you see between football and golf?

CW: I played defensive back, and in that position you’ve got to have a short-term memory because a lot of things are gonna happen out there on the football field. You get beat, you gotta forget about it fairly quickly. In golf, you can be playing well, and then, all of a sudden, you hit a wayward shot and you’re in trouble. You gotta forget about that because there are 18 holes. You gotta have that short-term memory.

G: You’ve started Woodson Bourbon Whiskey. Fuzzy Zoeller has his own whiskey brand, and he said one time when he wasn’t playing that well, he wouldn’t mind sampling some product on the golf course to help him play better. Have you ever thought about sampling your own product on the golf course?

CW: [Laughs] I thought about it this morning! My buddies asked me if I had any product. I was like, “No, man.” I was kind of laying off the stuff. But tomorrow there may be some product. I’ve got a big golf bag.

G: Michigan and Ohio State don’t always see eye to eye. If you had a chance to play golf with Ohio State alum Jack Nicklaus, would you be willing to ignore your dislike of Ohio State for a few hours?

CW: Not a chance, because he wouldn’t forget his dislike of Michigan! It means the rivalry is alive and well, and I’m sure if I had a chance to play with him, he’d give me some stuff about the championship they won this year. We won it last year. You gotta keep that going.

G: At last year’s American Century, in Lake Tahoe, you beat both Larry the Cable Guy and Blake Griffin. They’re both here this year. You think you’ll remind them about that?

CW: We’ll see. Let’s get through the tournament first.

G: You’ve played in the Pro Football Hall of Fame golf tourna­ment in Ohio. Are there any Hall of Fame football players that you think could be Hall of Fame golfers too?

CW: Yeah … I love them, but none of them. Nope, not one.

This interview, conducted at the 2025 American Century Championship, has been edited for length and clarity.

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The post Craig Kessler Q&A: The LPGA’s new commissioner on goals, ‘pillars’ and what success looks like appeared first on Golf.

The post Craig Kessler Q&A: The LPGA’s new commissioner on goals, ‘pillars’ and what success looks like appeared first on Golf.

The former COO of Topgolf and the PGA of America has a brand-new gig: leading the way for the LPGA, where, he’ll be the first to tell you, the stars are already aligned.

THE SCENE: On the phone, days after Kessler was named the LPGA’s new commissioner.

Dylan Dethier: What’s your golf origin story? Are you a lifelong golf guy?

Craig Kessler: I would absolutely call myself a lifelong golf guy. I started playing as a young kid at Rancho Carlsbad [near San Diego]. It was an executive golf course we called the cow pasture because there wasn’t a blade of grass on it. But I’ve been playing ever since. Professionally, after six years at Topgolf, I [went] to the PGA of America for two and a half years. Candidly, I don’t see myself ever leaving the game if given the choice.

DD: You’ve said that at Topgolf a lot of your focus was on food and bev and entertainment but also on disruption. What big-picture lessons will you take from that work into your new role?

CK: The biggest lesson learned at Topgolf was when we developed our purpose statement: Create moments that matter for everyone. The idea was, whether you’re a bay host, a cook or the CEO, your job is to do more than sell burgers, beer and a game of golf. Your job, when you put on your name tag every day, is to create moments that matter.

DD: Do you view the LPGA as going in the right direction, or is it, like, Hang on, we need to make significant changes?

CK: Let’s start by celebrating the rich history. At 75 years, this is an [organization] that has shaped the landscape of women’s sports. It’s a global tour. Lots of organizations try to figure out how to go global, but we’re already there. That’s a massive asset for the LPGA. Purses have risen. There are stars worth celebrating. The raw ingredients are there to build something even more remarkable. At the same time, the LPGA has so much untapped potential, and when the world gets to know the stories of our superstars, and the sacrifices they and their families have made, they will go from watching the LPGA to rooting for the LPGA. I think some amazing things will happen. It may require tough decisions, but understand it’s all in the spirit of taking something that’s already great and making it even better.

DD: We interviewed Jeeno Thitikul a few months ago and hearing more about her background — that she grew up in a town without a golf course and is now the No. 1 player in the world — that was the type of story that changed my perspective.

CK: Think about how many people across the country and the world have seen the video of Rory chipping balls into his washing machine. Like, you feel it in your bones; it’s the beginning of this emotional connection where people are yelling at their television sets with excitement. If people understood Jeeno’s story, or the sacrifices that people like Aditi Ashok’s family made for her to go from India to America to make it on tour, or what Nelly and Lydia and others have done, they will also yell at their TV sets when their favorite players have a shot on 18 to win a major, to chase the Grand Slam.

DD: I’ve heard you are bringing four “pillars” to the LPGA. Hit me with ’em.

CK: [Laughing] I love that you know there are four pillars. Big picture, we’re wanting to create an organization where our stakeholders look at the LPGA and say to themselves, Something magical is happening there and I have to be a part of it. I think there are four things required to help us get there. Number one is building trust, and that’s trust with players, with our sponsors, with our fans, with our staff. The second is building visibility, and that is making sure our superstars — who lay it on the line on the courses every week — are celebrated and visible. The third pillar is all around building fans. As I said, right now, people watch the LPGA. We want them to root for the LPGA. There’s a difference. The fourth and final pillar is around building a financial future that’s even stronger for the next 75 years.

DD: How important is it going to be for you to have a good, consistent, communicative relationship with the players?

CK: Priorities number one, two, three and four are all around building trust with the players. That starts with being extremely accessible and by listening with an open heart and mind. And, honestly, that takes time. But I’ve already been in touch with quite a few LPGA athletes, both past and present, including some legends of the game. My goal is for all of them, as fast as possible, to say, You know what? We got the right guy. He cares about us. He’s super visible. He’s available to listen and hear our ideas. That’s the approach I took at Topgolf. We had 75 venues when I left. I had the phone number of every one of our general managers and they had mine. Every time they had an idea, they picked up the phone and called. And no matter what time of day it was, we had a conversation. We’ll take the exact same approach at the LPGA.

DD: What does the LPGA look like in a couple of years if you’ve done what you would deem to be a successful job?

CK: Let’s go back to the four pillars. I think the players and sponsors and team have trust in not just their commissioner but the leadership of the LPGA. This is a team sport and it’s going to require all of us to make this successful. I think [the tour] will be highly visible on broadcast and beyond. We will have raving fans. And our financial foundation will be stronger than ever. One visible cue will be if, three years from now, the first tee of the Solheim Cup at Valhalla looks and feels like the first tee of a Ryder Cup, or at least close to it. We’ll know we’re making some progress.

DD: What makes you most nervous?

CK: I’ve had so many moments over the last handful of weeks where, at three in the morning, I’m staring at the ceiling asking myself all sorts of questions. I wouldn’t say they’re questions that stem from nervousness, though. They’re questions that stem from excitement, and, fundamentally, the theme is Are we doing enough? And Are we going fast enough?

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The post What I’ve learned: Gary Player opens up on his nine-decade journey appeared first on Golf.

The post What I’ve learned: Gary Player opens up on his nine-decade journey appeared first on Golf.

With his 90th birthday approaching in November, nine-time major champion Gary Player says he has “traveled more miles than any human being” and calls himself “the most well-read athlete in history.” (Another apt assessment might be “most opinionated.”) Here are some lessons the Black Knight has picked up on his nine-decade journey.

What makes a champion? You can’t define it. But I believe it has a certain amount to do with suffering.

I am grateful for how I suffered as a kid. I suffered like a junkyard dog.

I adored my mother. She died when I was nine years old. My father had to leave school at 15. He was one of six. He needed a job. The only job you could get in South Africa at his age was down a gold mine, 8,000 feet below the ground. He did that for 30 years.

As a boy, I would wake up at 5 a.m. and walk an hour and a half to school and an hour and a half back. I’d come home to an empty house. I was nine, and I had to cook my own food. For two years, I would lie in bed, crying every night. And you know what? It’s the greatest gift I ever had in my life.

I am not a boaster. But I sit here today having won the most tournaments of any man on the planet. It’s a fact. I won more national titles — U.S. Opens, British Opens, Australian Opens and on — than Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods combined. I’ve lasted longer than Sam Snead, the greatest athlete to ever play the game.

I still shoot par at my age. I’m nearly 90.

All this success comes about because of what happened to me as a young person. When you play professional golf, you are suffering. People don’t realize that this game eats you up alive.

But this game — you never master it. Whether you are Tiger, Jack, Ben Hogan, today you shoot 88, the next day you shoot 74. The conditions are the same. You haven’t changed your swing.

So why do you choose golf? Because it’s all you ever dreamed of doing.

People use the word superstar too loosely these days. For me, Michael Jordan is a superstar. LeBron James, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Usain Bolt — they are superstars. Today, a guy wins two or three majors, they say he’s a superstar. No, he’s not. He’s a hell of a player, but he’s not a superstar. The only reason I have this knowledge is because I’ve lived so long, read so much and traveled so widely. I played with Gene Sarazen and Tommy Armour. I met Walter Hagen. There are pros today who weren’t even born when I played with those guys.

Everything shall pass. But I’m going to try to write down everything to the best of my knowledge.

I’m going to write a book. One of the chapters is going to be titled “If!” With an exclamation point. It’s such an interesting thing. If Tiger Woods had made the right choices in his career — and I’m not criticizing — he would have won 22, 23 majors without a question. Tiger wins the U.S. Open by 15 shots and decides to go get lessons. He wanted to get better. I admired him for that, but it was to his detriment because he didn’t win a major for another 11 years. He tried to become a Navy SEAL. He jumped out of airplanes. A friend of mine who was a Navy SEAL scout said, “Tiger Woods will never see out his career. His legs and his back will go.” And I said, “You’re talking nonsense. He’s a supreme athlete.” But my friend was right.

I seldom exercise in the morning. You’ve got to channel your energy in the right way. I like to exercise at night. If I’m not playing the next day, I will work out very hard. Exercise helps me sleep. One of the great secrets to longevity is sleeping well, because it builds up the immune system. And I am a champion sleeper. You could put me in a room right now and I could sleep for 14 hours.

Tiger is the greatest golfer that ever lived. Except he isn’t. Because it’s not on paper. Jack has the greatest record on paper. Not only did Jack win 18 majors, he finished second in majors 19 times. That’s hard to believe.

Let’s reverse the thought procedure with Jack and Tiger. If Jack Nicklaus had been chasing Tiger’s record, he would have changed his philosophy. Jack never prepared for majors like Tiger did. But if Jack had been chasing Tiger, he would have shifted his focus more to the majors and he would have won more of them.

My mind works quickly. Sometimes so quickly I forget which topic I’m on.

Manners maketh the man. My mother taught me to stand up when a lady enters the room. Don’t reach across the table.

Learn to speak well. When I first came to America, if you said to a young person “How are you, son?” they would look you in the eye and say, “Fine, thank you, sir. How are you?” That’s gone now. Now, they just say, “Good.”

My dad, a man with no education, wound up speaking three native African languages, as well as Dutch, Portuguese and English. What would have happened if he’d had education and opportunity?

At 17, I told my father, “I’m going to be a professional golfer.” He said, “You’re crazy. I want you to be a doctor or a lawyer.” And I said, “No, Dad. I want to become a world champion.” And he said, “Well, son, if you believe that sincerely, then you’ve got to read. You’ve got to learn to speak well because you’re going to be in front of people, and if you want to earn a living you’ll have to represent a company. And the other thing, you’ll have to get a brand.” I had no idea what he was talking about. A brand? But then I come to America and I watch this show, Have Gun — Will Travel, with a character named Paladin who dressed in black, silver holsters, cowboy hat. And he has a card, and if he meets someone and they have a problem, he says, “Here’s my card. If it’s serious enough, I’ll help you.” I loved that. Being from South Africa and seeing this man, I thought, I’ve got to wear black. And I became the Black Knight. And here I am today, still in black.

I believe in legacies. Why? Only 15 players in history have won six majors or more. Bobby Jones won the Grand Slam in four months and he played with a walking stick as a driver and a ball that flew 80 yards less than it does today. The greens then were more like our fairways today. And they never changed the pins. And you raked the bunkers with your feet. And you traveled by Greyhound bus.

I would like a psychiatrist or someone to explain why golf does what it does to a person. I would like to understand why, when I listen to music, or when I think of my parents or my lovely family, or how lucky I am to come from a great country, I cry and I kiss the ground. But then I get on the golf course and I am a mean, miserable son of a b—-.

I’ve only met one man who knew the swing from A to Z: Ben Hogan. And I’ve been a professional golfer now for nearly 73 years. A lot of people know the swing from A to W or A to Y, but Hogan hit more balls than any man that ever lived. I’m going to surpass him. Vijay Singh might too. But this man, Ben Hogan, had an ordinary swing, and he built the greatest swing that ever existed. I was fortunate enough that Hogan told me two things about my swing, which enabled me to win the most tournaments in the world. But that information is top
secret. I’ll tell you all about it in my book.

When I listen to some of today’s teaching, I shudder. We’ve got some pros on Tour today — I’m not naming names, because I don’t want to embarrass anybody. But there is one player in particular — if I could spend just an hour with him I could make him into the best player in the world. He has so much ability but such a pitiful swing. And it’s getting worse and worse. I ask young pros, “What is the most important thing in a swing?” The rubbish they tell me!

Something else that perturbs me now is the managers. They’ve become so greedy. I went to Hong Kong and this one guy who was playing, an ordinary player, his manager wanted $750,000 for him to play. We just had an event in Sun City in South Africa. That same man who played in Hong Kong didn’t make the cut. In my era, we were never greedy. We asked for appearance money, but we were never greedy.

Arnold, Jack, myself — together we won over 300 tournaments. We won over 50 majors together. We went around the world. We went to Japan to promote the game. We went into China, South Africa, Australia. We got on planes, and they weren’t jets in those days.

I love playing with amateurs. That’s the difference between now and the times we played. When we went on the senior tour, they said, “Guys, we’ve got to build the game. Would you play in a pro-am every week?” I said, “No, I’ll play in three pro-ams every week.” Players today are not as fierce. Hogan was a fierce competitor. Sam Snead was fierce. Palmer or Nicklaus or Tom Watson or Lee Trevino or Raymond Floyd and Hale Irwin — they were as fierce as any competitors I ever saw. If you made a mistake coming down the finish line, you would never win.

You can’t compare eras. But if you took the 10 best players from our time and the 10 best right now and you put them on the same course with the same metal heads, same balls, tamping down spike marks and with machines to rake the bunkers, we would whip their a–es.

Why do I say that? Because when we were in a position to win, we won.

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The post NBA star Blake Griffin’s best advice for newcomers to the game appeared first on Golf.

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Six-time All-Star Blake Griffin was a double-double machine during his NBA career. It’s a score he avoids now that he spends more time on the course.

GOLF: As a fairly new convert to golf, what’s one piece of advice that you might give other newbies trying to improve their game?

Blake Griffin: Good question. Here’s something I learned early in my career in basketball: It doesn’t matter what you do in the first quarter; it’s what you do over the course of the game. The same is true of golf. It’s what you do over the course of your round. You can have a great drive and then shank the next shot. Things are never as good as they seem or as bad as they seem. You just got to ride the wave, and that’s what I like about golf.

G: Solid take. Now that you’re retired from the NBA [since 2023], what’s one place you’d like to play and finally have the time to get there?

BG: I’ve played at a lot of cool places, but I’ve heard Bandon Dunes is great. I would like to go up there and check it out.

Celebrities

G: Where are you playing most of your golf now?

BG: I’m a member at Lakeside Golf & Country Club in L.A. I got a good group of guys I play with regularly, but we like to get out to other spots too.

G: Speaking of travel, the NBA has some long road trips. Do you ever wish you’d played golf back then when you’d see teammates slip out on an off day to get in a round?

BG: My man, being on the road in the NBA means you got to find your own way. That’s what I tried to do.

G: You’re famous for once jumping over a car in the slam dunk contest, which you won. What golf landmark would be cool to jump over? The Swilcan Bridge? Rae’s Creek?

BG: [Laughs] I don’t think I could jump over anything now. That was a long time ago, man.

G: Besides the 8AM Invitational, what are some of the other celebrity tournaments that you’ve had the chance to play in?

BG: I played in Tahoe — the Edgewood tournament [American Century Championship]. There were like 20,000 fans a day. That first day, I was so nervous. I was like shaking over practice putts, you know. Like, even when I wasn’t about to hit the ball, I was still nervous.

G: In general, are there shots on course that you’re more nervous about?

BG: Like, anything. I don’t even want to say it. Once I say it, it’s going to be out there. Okay, any shot between 65 to 85 yards. Don’t know why.

G: Golfers have been known to enjoy putting a few dollars on their matches. Keeps things interesting. How big a wager makes you nervous?

BG: I don’t like to get nervous, and I don’t like them taking my money!

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The post How a killer club sandwich helped get soccer star Brandi Chastain into golf appeared first on Golf.

The post How a killer club sandwich helped get soccer star Brandi Chastain into golf appeared first on Golf.

The World Cup and women’s sports icon has earned every possible accolade on the pitch. But, sometimes, all a girl wants is a sandwich.

GOLF: Did you get into golf early or did you mainly play soccer as a kid?

Brandi Chastain: My grandfather loved golf, and I loved being with my grandfather. He would take me to lunch at the local driving range in South San Jose [Calif.], and for me to get lunch, I had to hit balls first. So, that’s what I did. We never played the course, though. Isn’t that funny?

G: Do you remember the name of the place?

BC: Oh, gosh, it doesn’t even exist anymore. I don’t even know the name. It was a driving range with an executive short course. It had great club sandwiches, and my grandfather loved it.

G: Once it became clear that soccer was your sport, did you still play golf or was there no time?

BC: When I was in college [I didn’t play golf]. But once I was on the national team and a professional player, I played golf more because it was my way to do something that didn’t take a lot of physical energy but was a good mental test for me.

News

G: Now you’re an owner of a TGL franchise. How’s that been?

BC: I’m very happy to be a part of it. That’s why I invested in TMRW Sports and the Bay Area Golf Club. What I loved about it is, one, I love golf.

G: What do you like most about the new league?

BC: I think what I love about TGL is I’m seeing these very polished professionals who, when they’re on the PGA Tour, must be aware of traditions and etiquette. In TGL, they’re asked to be relaxed and be themselves. There’s some that are really good at it, and some that are really struggling. So, I think it’s going to bring out more personality. We’ll have some fun. I think everybody can relate to that.

G: Do you think off-course activities like TGL and Topgolf can actually bring more people into the sport?

BC: Well, I think it makes it accessible. I think the number one thing for most people is access, right? If you don’t have access, you don’t have opportunity. So, for some people with [a full round of] golf maybe it’s the time factor — four to five hours is too much time, really. Maybe it’s too expensive to become a member of a golf course or maybe a round of golf is too expensive. But going to Topgolf or maybe seeing TGL gets you excited, and you think, Well, maybe I’ll give it a try.

G: Awesome. You’re known for one of the most iconic on-field celebrations of all time [1999 World Cup, above]. Have you ever thought about maybe re-creating it if you made a hole in one?

BC: [Laughs] At the HGV Tournament of Champions in Orlando, I made an eagle, and the thought did cross my mind. Then I thought, Brandi, what are you doing? It’s 25 years later. Nobody needs to see that.

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The post ‘My life is so unglamorous’: Hard-charging Robert MacIntyre is long on talent but short on flash appeared first on Golf.

The post ‘My life is so unglamorous’: Hard-charging Robert MacIntyre is long on talent but short on flash appeared first on Golf.

Robert MacIntyre has been on a roll: runner-up at the U.S. Open at Oakmont; T7 at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush; and, just this past Sunday, another runner-up, this time in the second of the three FedEx Cup playoff events, the BMW Championship. That finish, which pushed the Scotsman to a career-high No. 8 in the world, earned him a cool $2.16 million. But money isn’t what motivates the 29-year-old, as he explained to GOLF’s Dylan Dethier earlier this year. Here’s that interview, which originally was published in the April 2025 issue of GOLF Magazine and has been lightly edited for clarity and timeliness.

***

DD: You said you’re more comfortable this year than last. What do you attribute that comfort to? Better results, different mindset, knowing more people, figuring out the schedule …?

RM: A bit of everything. Just having the right support around me. Having the right amount of time at home with family and friends. And just getting back to who I am back home. Like, out here is an absolute circus. You can see it on this range as you walk around. And when you’re on the course, in tournament conditions, it’s carnage some weeks. It’s a lot. So it’s good to get home. Back to normal life.

DD: You’ve said it’s hard to reflect on what you did last year, winning twice in fairy-tale fashion — with your father as your caddie at the Canadian Open in June, then a win at the Scottish Open in July — and that maybe it’ll take till you’re retired to really grasp what it meant. But can you believe it happened that way?

RM: It’s outrageous, really. The Scottish Open was more realistic, but I’d dreamt of winning it my whole life. And when I had a chance the year before, when Rory won, I just didn’t know how many more chances I was going to get. So, to get chances at the Scottish Open two years in a row was pretty special, and to get over the line — that was just absolutely everything. Then you look at Canada. I mean, Canada was a real fairy tale. I don’t know if it’s been done on the PGA Tour before, with a father caddying for his son. But it was crazy.

DD: Have your dad’s feet touched the ground since that win?

RM: That’s just the thing — we flew home Monday and he was straight back to work Tuesday [as a greenskeeper in Scotland]. He’s just a normal guy. Lives in our small town of Oban, works for a living. Still, he is getting to an age where he could potentially retire and hopefully be able to come to more places like this. He loves his golf and can play himself, too, so it’d be good to have him out every now and again.

DD: How would you describe Oban to someone who’s never been there?

RM: It’s a special place, not just for me. To get to all the beautiful islands off the west coast of Scotland, you have to come to Oban and go from there. But it’s just a small seaside town, a fishing village. In the summer, it’s absolutely beautiful. In the winter, it can be a bit miserable. I think it’s spectacular.

DD: This may be a dumb question, but does it mean anything to you that you’re currently the top-ranked left-handed golfer in the world?

RM: [Laughs] I’m just pushing to be the best golfer I can be, period.

DD: Were there moments growing up where being a lefty made picking up golf more difficult for you?

RM: Yeah, being from a working-class background made it harder to get clubs, and it was so expensive too, because there were limited numbers. But once I got to a certain level and I started getting clubs given to me, that made life a hell of a lot easier.

DD: Your friends from when you were a kid, are they your same friends now?

RM: Yeah. I still live in Oban, and when I go home I have some of the boys ’round for dinner. My life is so unglamorous, to be honest with you. It’s unchanged. No fancy things.

DD: You’re smiling as you say that.

RM: It just keeps your feet on the ground. Scots are a negative people; we’re a negative nation. And if someone’s doing well, people will just drag you down. But that’s how I was raised, and I love it. And nothing’s ever a problem in Oban, not really. All my friends are working trades — they’re builders, they’re plumbers. It’s just normal life.

DD: So it doesn’t sound like you’ve made any flashy purchases since your big wins. Did you buy anything? A new house?

RM: I’d already bought a house in 2020, so not that. [Long pause] I mean, I guess I’ve not. If I drove around in a fancy car, someone would do something to it. They’d be like, “Look at him.” So nothing, really. Feet on the ground. [He reconsiders.] Oh, I know. I like my watches. So every now and again, I’ll see a watch, and if I fancy it maybe I’ll say yes sometimes. But even that — you’ve only got one wrist, really. You can’t wear watches on both wrists.

DD: There’s probably a nice metaphor somewhere in there. Thinking back to your comfort and your mindset: They say winning takes care of everything. Have you found that to be true, or is there more to it than that?

RM: It helps, but, for me, it’s more about thinking bigger picture, about realizing that it’s not going to be good all the time, every week. But also, when you’re struggling with something and you’re working hard at it, it’s not going to be bad for forever. It’s going to turn good in the end.

DD: Easier to say than to put into practice, I bet.

RM: Yes. I mean, I’m hard on myself. But I like a good laugh too, even walking between shots. On the course, I probably couldn’t be mic’d up ever. But I just love the competition. That’s why I play the game. The day that I don’t enjoy the competition is the day that I don’t enjoy the golf at all.

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The post Former NFL QB Matt Ryan is a regular on the celebrity circuit. Is pro golf next? appeared first on Golf.

The post Former NFL QB Matt Ryan is a regular on the celebrity circuit. Is pro golf next? appeared first on Golf.

Former Falcons QB “Matty Ice” was always cool under pressure. With a 1.9 index, it’s clear that trait serves him well on the golf course too.

GOLF: You’re a pretty good stick. Have you ever considered trying to qualify for Korn Ferry or any tour like that?

Matt Ryan: No, no. I’ve been lucky enough to play with a number of Tour pros, and they’re on a different level. I understand where my game is at. It’s good for club golf and maybe not so much for pro golf.

G: What have you learned playing with pros?

MR: They get the ball in the hole a lot better than everybody else! [Laughs] Seriously, though, it’s the short game. They always get up and down. They chip and pitch so well. They putt it so good. And then it’s a mindset and an attitude. They know how to compete, and they understand the game at a different level.

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G: You’re a regular on the celebrity circuit. What is it that draws so many former athletes to golf?

MR: We’re wired to work at something to try and get better, to try and chase getting good at something. Golf seems to be the hardest thing to chase, right? We all like competing and challenging ourselves.

G: You’re still living in Atlanta, right?

MR: Atlanta’s home. I’ve got three young boys who were all born in Atlanta. I play at a place called Cherokee Golf and Country Club. It’s a good family club, with two good golf courses. It’s a fun place to play your golf.

G: Living so close, I assume you’ve been to Augusta National.

MR: Yes! It’s an amazing place, that’s for sure. I guess my claim to fame over there is I’m friends with Stewart Cink and I got to caddie for him one time in the Par 3 tournament. That was very cool.

G: How did you look in the white jumpsuit?

MR: Probably not great, but I tried to look the best I could, that’s for sure.

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G: You grew up in the Philadelphia area. Where did you play your golf?

MR: I love playing in Philadelphia. I grew up just outside. I’ve been lucky enough to have played a bunch of the good ones. My favorite, though, is a place where my family plays called Stonewall. It’s definitely a sentimental favorite for me.

G: Have you played Pine Valley?

MR: I have, yeah. I did okay. I think Pine Valley got the better of me than I did of Pine Valley, which I’m sure is the case for a lot of people. There’s a reason it’s at the top of the rankings every year.

G: You’re doing some television work now. Does that cut into your time for teeing it up?

MR: I’m on CBS’ NFL Today. I do the pregame show on Sundays, and that’s all right. I need one day off a week from playing golf!

The post Former NFL QB Matt Ryan is a regular on the celebrity circuit. Is pro golf next? appeared first on Golf.

The post NBA star, collegiate golfer J.R. Smith says this golf advice helped him the most appeared first on Golf.

The post NBA star, collegiate golfer J.R. Smith says this golf advice helped him the most appeared first on Golf.

Two-time NBA champion and ultimate sixth man J.R. Smith is now, surprisingly, a collegiate golfer — and a pro pitchman.

GOLF: You didn’t take up golf until you were an adult but said you were immediately addicted to the game. What about it do you love so much?

J.R. Smith: Golf is the perfect mix of challenge and chill. It pushes you mentally and physically, but it’s also one of the most relaxing things you can do, especially when you hit the green with friends. I love how every day on the course is different, and you never play the same round twice. As this sport continues to evolve, the vibe is also unmatched — you’re out there with friends, soaking up the sun, hitting shots, just enjoying life. It’s a totally different energy from basketball, but it’s still competitive, and that’s what hooked me.

G: What’s the best and worst part of your game at the moment?

JS: Right now, the best part of my game is my irons. The worst part of my game is my driver.

G: Who — or what — do you turn to for swing advice?

JS: For advice, I go to my swing coach, [Top 100 Teacher] Jason Baile, out of Jupiter Hills.

G: What golf advice has really helped you on the course?

JS: The best advice? Stay patient. Golf is one of those games where, if you try to force things, it’ll humble you real quick. You’ve gotta trust your swing, focus on the basics and just let the game come to you. Because, at the end of the day, what is sport without having a bit of fun along the way?

G: Who are your favorite NBA pros to play with?

JS: Steph [Curry], Chris Paul and Kyle Korver.

Celebrities

G: Who’s the best golfer you’ve ever teed it up with, and what was so impressive about them?

JS: Rory McIlroy, because of how far he hits it and how precise he is.

G: What do you find is the best way to break the ice with strangers on the course?

JS: The key is keeping it light. Golf can be intimidating, but once you get past the first tee shot it’s about having a good time.

G: You’re a partner with the beverage company High Noon. What’s the drink you most enjoy on the course?

JS: Oh, that’s easy. It’s gotta be the Peach High Noon Vodka Iced Tea. When you’re out there under the sun and sinking birdies, having a High Noon in hand makes everything better.

G: After retiring from the NBA, you enrolled at North Carolina A&T to get your college degree and, at age 36, joined the golf team. You’re a senior this year. What are you going to miss most about collegiate golf?

JS: The competition. And being able to rely on my teammates during tournaments.

G: Can anything you face on the golf course compare to the pressure of the NBA Finals?

JS: Absolutely not!

The post NBA star, collegiate golfer J.R. Smith says this golf advice helped him the most appeared first on Golf.

The post CBS course reporter and Subpar cohost Colt Knost is living his dream — and he still can’t believe it appeared first on Golf.

The post CBS course reporter and Subpar cohost Colt Knost is living his dream — and he still can’t believe it appeared first on Golf.

Colt Knost, cohost of Subpar and course reporter for CBS Sports, would be the first person to tell you he’s living the dream — and the last person to believe it.

***

The scene: Calling from his car in Scottsdale, Ariz., after leaving the set of GOLF’s Subpar podcast.

Dylan Dethier: You’re on a break from your TV gig. Does this feel like your off-season?

Colt Knost: It’s definitely my off-season. I’ve done a few things for work here and there. I still do our SiriusXM show [Gravy and the Sleeze] and GOLF’s ‘Subpar.’ But, for the most part, I get to play a lot of golf this time of year.

DD: Are you playing at home with a regular group or are you now, like, America’s guest?

CK: Yeah, mostly at home at [Scottsdale’s] Whisper Rock. I’ve played a few member-guests. I just got back from Vegas, playing the Southern Highlands, which was a blast. I travel so much during the year that it’s hard for me to say no to a member-guest, but I also enjoy being home. It’s the best time of year in Scottsdale.

DD: You were a Tour pro for nearly a decade. How has your relationship with playing golf changed these past few years?

CK: I have way more fun now. It’s not a job to me anymore. I just go out and have fun with the boys, gamble a bit and let the best man win. I definitely don’t get as upset over bad shots. And, when I practice, I feel like I can play as well as I did on Tour, probably because I don’t care as much.

DD: Is there anything you’ve learned that you’d tell yourself 10 years ago?

CK: Definitely. I’d tell myself to be more focused and more accountable when things went wrong. But, honestly, I think this was all meant to happen this way. The game has changed so much. I was never going to be a guy who carries the ball 300 yards like most of the PGA Tour does today. But I put in eight years on the Tour, made amazing relationships and got to play at the highest level. When I’m old, I can tell stories around the fire. That’s pretty cool.

DD: These days, between SiriusXM, “Subpar” and the CBS job, it seems like you’re having almost nonstop surreal experiences. Do you still pinch yourself?

CK: I pinch myself all the time. I was a kid who went to a small high school in the middle of nowhere [in Texas]. To be where I am now, meeting these athletes — it’s unbelievable. Golf has connected me with so many people. For instance, I have a great relationship with Charles Barkley. If you’d told me at 12 years old, when I was watching him on TV, that I’d be friends with him and we’d talk trash all the time,I’d have thought you were out of your mind. Or that I’d meet Tony Romo when he was a third-string quarterback with Dallas because he just wanted to play golf, and then he turned into … Tony Romo. There will be moments with people I’ve met where I’m like, Wow, I can’t believe I’m sitting here having a beer with you right now.

DD: How’s your work with CBS going?

CK: I love it, and I think it’s going well. I get excited to go to work every day. Sitting with Jim Nantz, Frank Nobilo, Trevor Immelman, Dottie Pepper, Mark Immelman, Amanda Balionis — it’s crazy. When you think about golf and the broadcasting world, there aren’t many jobs out there. And the fact that I’ve been able to get better and to grow — it’s awesome. The Nantz thing is still surreal to me; he’s been with CBS since 1985, the year I was born. I’ve never known anyone else in that job. Now he’s a friend. That’s so cool.

DD: On “Subpar” you sometimes show us a different side of golfers and other athletes. Who has surprised you the most and who do you hear about most from fans?

CK: The second part is easy: Mike Commodore, the former NHL player. Everyone loves him. They love those old-school guys [and their] wild stories. Guys like George Brett, Mark Grace. They lived in an era when there was no social media; everyone didn’t whip their camera out when stuff happened, so they have great stories. As for surprises, I already know most of the guys personally, but it’s great when the audience gets to learn more about them. Scottie Scheffler, for example, comes off as this great golfer and person, but people don’t realize he’s also sneaky funny and talks trash.

DD: There on the ground, what’s a Tour moment that stands out from this year?

CK: Walking with Viktor Hovland and Bryson DeChambeau on Sunday at the PGA — that place was rocking. Both of them were 6 under through 17 holes, I believe, and the crowd was all about Bryson, and he was talking back to them, having a great time. It was just an electric atmosphere.

DD: Who are players you think might create some of that electricity in 2025?

CK: I’ll give you one right off the top of my head: Max Greyserman. He has a ton of upside — he smashes it, he’s a great putter. He’s finished second in three of five events [in 2024]. And I’m excited to see what Jordan Spieth does coming back from wrist surgery. It’s something he’s been dealing with longer than I think he let on, so I’m excited to see him 100 percent healthy.

DD: People think of golf as a sleepy sport, but, in person on Sunday afternoons, I think they’d be shocked at the intensity. What’s it like being inside the ropes with the final group in the final round?

CK: I get excited. I feel the adrenaline, and I want it to be a battle. Or, if I’m not with the last group, [I want] my guy to make a move and get those big crowds yelling. Hell, I get yelled at too. But when it’s a big moment, there’s nothing cooler than trying to make an awesome call on a shot, because if you nail it, it’s on every highlight. Honestly, when I look back, I don’t remember a lot of the calls. I’ll rewatch some because people always tell me, “Listen to yourself, see what your tendencies are and where you could do better.” And sometimes I’m just like, That [call] was stupid. But I just like making it fun, man. Look, it’s a TV show; it doesn’t have to be serious at all times. I just hope to bring some energy to it every day and to bring people from their couch into these moments.

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The post CBS course reporter and Subpar cohost Colt Knost is living his dream — and he still can’t believe it appeared first on Golf.

The post Steve Young Q&A: The 3-time Super Bowl champ on why he might play golf as a lefty appeared first on Golf.

The post Steve Young Q&A: The 3-time Super Bowl champ on why he might play golf as a lefty appeared first on Golf.

The longtime Niners QB and three-time Super Bowl champ was never confused about which side of the ball to play on — until he picked up a club.

***

GOLF: How’s your game?

Steve Young: I think I’ve finally unraveled it.

G: It was tangled?

SY: I grew up on the mean streets of Greenwich, Connecticut. I caddied but I didn’t play much. I just grabbed my dad’s righty clubs and started whaling away. But when you’re left-handed playing righty, you have some fundamental problems.

G: So you play lefty now?

SY: My wife wants me to do that. She said, “If you’re going to suck this badly, you should switch to lefty.” But I said, No, I can fix this. I finally capitulated and asked for help.

G: Who’s your guru?

SY: [Former Tour player] Keith Clearwater is a buddy. I send him videos. We go back and forth. The problem with golf is you’re never doing what you think you’re doing. I look at my swing and I go, What? No frickin’ way!

G: Where’s the fix?

SY: At the American Century tournament in Tahoe, I show up and I get a tip from Annika Sorenstam, so I try that. Then Peter Jacobsen tells me, “It’s not a pendulum game. It’s an around game. You’ve got to swing around.” And I try that.

G: What’s more stressful: playing golf in front of a crowd or a blind-side blitz?

SY: When you’re an expert in something, the stress levels are lower, even if you’ve got Reggie White coming at you. I had some expertise in football, but you put me on a stage where I don’t have that confidence, that’s another level of stress. The key, to me, is you have to have played competitive golf as a kid.

G: It’s like a language — learn too late and you always have an accent.

SY: No doubt. Jerry Rice picked golf up later in life and wanted to go pro. I said, “Jerry, that’s impossible.” He said, “I can do it.” And then finally he said, “You’re right.”

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G: Any particular course you’re dying to play?

SY: Augusta is one. I’ve had many invitations but haven’t done that yet.

G: That’s not something I’d say around other golfers.

SY: I know. No sympathy.

G: What’s the strength of your game?

SY: Everything is relative, but I’ve been driving it pretty well. If I’m going to have my name on a board at a celebrity event, I’ve got to keep getting better.

G: Or at least beat Larry the Cable Guy.

SY: Exactly. I’ve been thinking that I should start playing both ways, with lefty and righty clubs in the bag. Maybe that becomes my shtick. You’re allowed to do that, right?

G: Who am I to say no? Then you challenge Tony Romo in that format and see who wins.

SY: I like your thinking. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll just go to lefty, like my wife says.

The post Steve Young Q&A: The 3-time Super Bowl champ on why he might play golf as a lefty appeared first on Golf.