USGTF

If a journeyman like Aaron Rai could win a major championship earlier this year, why couldn't another win The Open? And that's exactly what happened when New Zealand's Ryan Fox birdied the two of the last three holes at Royal Birkdale to overcome the lead of Cameron Young and take possession of the Claret Jug.

Fox has found success relatively late in life, having won his first DP World Tour event at age 32 and his first PGA Tour event at age 38, and now at age 39 he has captured his first major championship. His athleticism was inherited from his father, an All Black rugby player, and his grandfather who played cricket. He becomes the third New Zealander to win a major championship behind Bob Charles (1963 Open) and Michael Campbell (2005 U.S. Open).

Central - In a putting performance that will live in USGTF lore for eternity, Central Region director Tony McMullin holed par putts of 20, 15, 10 and 10 feet on four of the last five holes to capture the Central Region Championship held July 13-14 at Walden Ponds Golf Course just outside Cincinnati, Ohio. McMullin fired rounds of 75-71 - 146 to nip Southeast Region director Mark Harman by a shot. You may recall in February Harman won the Southeast Region tournament he hosted by three strokes over McMullin, and McMullin has now returned the favor. Multiple region winner Ron Cox and Jamie Wardinski tied for third.

Southwest - The USGTF Southwest Region Championship will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27, at Twin Creeks Golf Club in Allen, Texas, just north of Dallas. The entry fee is $300 and includes two rounds of tournament golf, range balls and a prize fund. Southwest Region director Bruce Sims serves as the host, and he can be contacted at [email protected] or (214) 475-5168.

A golf handicap measures a player’s potential and helps make the game fair for everyone. It’s calculated from your recent rounds and reflects how many strokes above or below par you typically play, with a lower handicap indicating more consistent play near your best. Handicaps allow golfers of different skill levels to compete together by adjusting scores so everyone has a chance to succeed. They also encourage improvement, reward consistent scoring, and make every round more enjoyable for all players.

(Photo by Sugar Golf on Unsplash)

By Ruald Strydom

Golf in South Africa is continuing to grow in 2026, combining spectacular landscapes, rich tradition and an increasing international profile. A major highlight was the introduction of LIV Golf South Africa at Steyn City in Johannesburg. The Jack Nicklaus-designed championship course, celebrated for its dramatic elevation changes and impressive water features, is now the home of the Stingers, South Africa’s LIV Golf team.

Meanwhile, rising talent Aldrich Potgieter is making a strong impact on the international stage. At just 20 years old, he became the youngest South African to capture a PGA Tour title following his playoff victory at the 2025 Rocket Classic in Detroit. He also holds the distinction of being the youngest winner in Korn Ferry Tour history, underscoring the bright future of South African golf.

The Alfred Dunhill Championship returned to Royal Johannesburg Golf Club in December 2025, while grassroots initiatives and school partnerships continue to grow the game in communities across the country. With emerging stars, premier tournaments and its unique mix of golf and safari experiences, South Africa is proving it is not only part of the global golf landscape — but also helping shape where it is headed.

Gone are the days when someone could just call themselves a "teaching professional" and be able to earn a living at it. These days, having certification is a must, and the USGTF has been at the forefront of golf instruction since its inception in 1989. There is no better way to start in the industry than to earn USGTF certification. Upcoming in-person classes are as follows:

Las Vegas, NV - Aug. 24-27 Las Vegas Golf Club

Princeton, NJ - Aug. 25-28 Princeton Country Club

Las Vegas, NV - Sept. 14-17 Las Vegas Golf Club

As always, Certified Golf Teaching Professionals® who have been a member in good standing for at least 12 months can earn our highest designation, Master Golf Teaching Professional®. This year's certification classes are:

Las Vegas NV - November 16-18 Las Vegas Golf Club

Fort Pierce FL - December 15-17 The Champion Turf Club at St. James

The 30th annual United States Golf Teachers Cup will be played Tuesday and Wednesday, September 1-2, at Painted Desert Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. The national championship event of the USGTF has a storied history, and you can be a part of it. The deadline to enter is August 10, and registration is available at https://www.usgtf.com/uscup.

Reservations at The Luxor, a staple on the Las Vegas Strip, are also available at special rates for participants, and can be booked through https://book.passkey.com/go/FUSG0926LX.

Snow golf takes the game you know and drops it into a winter wonderland, with snow‑covered terrain turning fairways into snowy expanses and greens into bright white targets, all while players still aim to get the ball from tee to hole in as few strokes as possible. Courses are blanketed in snow, so golfers rely on brightly colored balls to keep shots visible against the white backdrop, and snowy or icy patches become natural challenges that change how the ball behaves and tests strategy in every swing. Snow golf generally follows traditional rules but adapts to conditions with adjusted tees and markers, allowances for deep snow and icy spots, and winter gear like insulated clothing and waterproof boots to stay comfortable in the cold.

(Photo by Mitchell Eldridge on Unsplash)

Long before modern brands filled pro shops, golf clubs were crafted by hand in Scotland, where the game itself was born. In the earliest days, skilled craftsmen shaped clubs from wood like hickory and beech, creating each piece individually with no standard design. Over time, that craftsmanship evolved into the first true manufacturers, with groups like the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers helping formalize clubmaking, and makers like Robert Forgan leading the shift toward producing clubs at a larger scale in the 1800s. These early pioneers set the foundation for everything that followed, introducing consistency, innovation, and wider access to the game.

(Photo by Milos Lopusina on Unsplash)

When LIV Golf first came upon the scene, it wasn't received warmly in the realm of professional golf. The PGA Tour reacted by banning LIV players from playing in PGA Tour events, and soon some of the players became afterthoughts as television ratings were poor. Yet, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) supplied the cash to keep the new tour running, handing out astronomical sums of money to players.

However, that gravy train is ending after 2026, and maybe even sooner. LIV Golf's main model of making money - selling team franchises to investors - was always a questionable one, and the PIF has now agreed as it will no longer provide funding to the tour after this year. Whether LIV Golf survives in 2027 remains to be seen, but if it does, it certainly won't have the prize money and contracts with players it does now. There is plenty of room for another tour in the golf landscape, and LIV golf events have always been well-attended, but competing against the PGA Tour has always been a tall task, one that LIV failed to succeed at.

Golf offers a unique blend of physical activity, mental focus, and time outdoors that can have a real impact on overall health. Walking a full round can cover several miles, supporting cardiovascular fitness, balance, and endurance, while regular play has been linked to improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The mental side of the game, combined with fresh air and social interaction, can help reduce stress and boost mood, making it just as beneficial for the mind as it is for the body. Studies have even suggested that people who play golf regularly may experience lower mortality rates, likely due to the consistent activity and lifestyle habits that come with the game. Over time, those hours spent on the course can add up to meaningful long-term health benefits, all through a routine that’s as enjoyable as it is effective.

(Photo by Randy Kinne on Unsplash)