THE SHACK GOLF CLUB has extended Chicago’s golf season. Located at 1717 Chestnut Ave. in Glenview, The Shack now has seven simulators and a putting green. It’s a place where Arnie will always join you at the bar. So with top dates filling up quickly, book your bay today and start hitting the ball. TheShackGolfClub.com or call (847)-904-2905. Lessons and club fittings are available, try out Bettinardi Putters.
The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Director of Content and creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter-X @GogBlogGuy or connect at LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram In the fitting tent at Heritage Oaks GC in Northbrook.
HAPPY NEW YEAR…
I HOPE YOURS is off to a great start.
HERE at Golfers on Golf, I’m not so lucky. Because digging out of a 5 day brutal illness, is no way to start the season.
Have you ever hit your opening tee shot Out-of-Bounds. Then some joker yells “that’s two.” A joker who deserves a shot in the chops with 56 degree wedge.
But none the less, I feel like the opening days of the 2025 year or golf season have been brutal. Because I have no interest in being back on the “DL.” With the PGA Show 3 weeks away, I don’t want to be on the “IR.” I don’t want to be hitting 4 off the first tee box either. But it sure feels like that’s exactly where I am. So I am starting to feel better, so I’m back here on the forum. I will try to get caught up, but I’m running at a pace that averages out to slow play.
OKAY ENOUGH ABOUT ME… now some other golf topics.
THE PGA TOUR IS UNDERWAY with the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, my old Hawaiian haunt. I have played about 20 rounds on the Plantation Course, which is a fun golf course. Almost as much fun as blasting a long iron past Mark Rolfing’s fishing poles that hang out behind his house on the resorts Bay Course. Chris Kirk is the defending champ, but didn’t have the best 2024 season after winning the season opener in 2024. I don’t expect him to repeat. Sahith Theegala last year’s runner-up, Justin Thomas or Collin Morikawa have a better chance of winning this year.
SOME OF THE BIG NEWS to start the season, is that Max Homa has bolted from Titleist to join Cobra-Puma. Homa could use a spark in his game after a sluggish 2024, and will need one to make this years Ryder Cup team. Homa has brought in a new swing coach to go along with new clubs, new clothes and new shoes.
VICTOR HOVLAND the 2023 BMW Champion at Olympia Fields broke his toe while banging his foot on his bed while sleeping. So Hovland is taping up the toe as much as possible and taking some drugs. But as each round goes on-his limping is starting to show.
THE GOLF WORLD/MEDIA WORLD has been hit hard by some year-end passing’s. USA today writer Steve Dimeglio (63) lost his two year fight with cancer earlier today, only a couple of weeks after Geoff Babineau (62) passed away from natural causes.
DAN BAKER (58) of the PGA of America, who was very involved with the upcoming PGA Merchandise Show, was killed in a car accident last month, in route home from volunteering at a season ending LPGA event in Naples Florida.
THE NEW CALLAWAY CLUBS-ELYTE Woods and Irons are getting strong reviews. I can’t wait to test them out vs my Paradyms. May the best model win. Demo day at the PGA Show should be much more exciting now, I’m also hearing that Elyte with the right Fujikura Shafts can be a real dynamite combination.
TITLEIST GOLF has announced the new PRO V1 golf ball is coming out at the end of show week.
Locally Oak Brook Terrace based Zero Friction products has announced a return to the PGA Show.
NOW I just need to get healthy, I’m getting pumped for the show. But coming soon, my list of 10 courses I want to play in 2025, add them to your list as well. RS