Spring Is Just Around the Corner FRED ALTVATER PUBLISHER Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Ohio Golf Journal Indiana Golf Journal American Golf Journal Back 9 Report It’s Only a little over 60 days until the Masters! Hi Golfaholics. I have returned to the land of ice and snow. While most of you were freezing your tushies off in Michigan, I was able to spend a few weeks in Florida and enjoyed it immensely. I had a delightful time attending the 71st PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, visiting the Villages, Cabot Citrus, Mission Resort + Club and made several other stops around the Sunshine State. The Villages is home to over 150,000 senior citizens and it exceeded all of my expectations. It is clean, well organized and friendly. Any activity that you can think of is available at The Villages and they do a wonderful job of keeping senior adults active and vibrant. There are over 50 golf courses throughout the community and all of the courses I saw were busy with golfers. In this issue, Len Ziehm lists his ‘Most Noteworthy’ items from the PGA Show. Dave Theoret updates the happenings at Treetops, plus there are articles on new golf rules for 2024, French Lick, Pinehurst and TRUE Linkswear. Our good friend Jack Barrett has become very involved in the Pickleball scene in Florida and provides some interesting facts and figures about the latest sports craze raging in the U.S. Back 9 Report received an award from the International Network of Golf and we hope you will visit our Back 9 Report TV channel on YouTube. Spring can’t get here fast enough. I hope I see you on the Back 9 sooner than later. Michigan Golf Journal
Michigan Golf Journal is Published By Back 9 Media Group Publisher: Fred Altvater, USGTF Teaching Professional Advertise with Michigan Golf Journal, Contact us for more information Be sure to take advantage of the links to social media, videos and other content provided within the articles 20 FIND INSIDE 06 15 18 23 Treetops Golf Resort: Still One of America’s Best Golf News USGA Revised 2024 Rules True Linkswear Expands Shoe & Apparel Line Reasons To Visit French Lick in 2024 TaylorMade Qi10 Drivers Introduced A New Pinehurst Welcomes The World in 2024 06 12 18 30 15 28 20 Most Noteworthy Products From 2024 PGA Show Pickleball Continues Its Unparalleled Growth 23 34 Our Favorite Videos Our Contributors Back Pain Relief Without Surgery 41 40 36 Michigan Golf Journal
Treetops Golf Resort in Gaylord helped put Northern Michigan on the map as a great golf destination. Although there are several golf resorts in the area with multiple courses, Treetops emerges each year as one of the most recognizable golf resorts in the midwest. In 1983, Harry Melling, an auto industry parts supplier attracting golfers to the resort. While studying the beautiful landscape of what would become the course, Jones observed the millions of trees in the Pigeon River Valley and the name for the resort became Treetops. The Masterpiece was the first of five award-winning golf courses. Melling additionally built the only Tom Fazio Treetops Golf Resort: Still One of America’s Best and owner of a NASCAR team, purchased the old Sylvan Ski Resort near Gaylord and decided he needed more activities to sustain a yearround vacation destination. In 1987, Melling contracted Robert Trent Jones Sr. to create the Masterpiece and the rest is history. The Masterpiece quickly became a must-play destination By David Theoret, The Golfin Guy Michigan Golf Journal
designed course in Michigan and hired Rick Smith as the resort’s first Head Professional. With his student list full of PGA Tour stars, Smith’s students also fell in love with the resort. The Golf Channel launched its popular “Big Break” series at Treetops. Over the years, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Raymond Floyd, and Jack Nicklaus ventured to Treetops to compete in ESPN’s “Par 3 Shootout,” an exhibition made for television. In 2007, Lee Trevino holed his tee shot at the seventh hole and was rewarded with a cool $1 million. It is still regarded as the richest payday for a single shot and a plaque marks the spot on the tee box still today. Today Treetops has 81 holes of wonderful golf, 226 guest rooms, suites and cottages. Weddings, family reunions and corporate outings can take advantage of the 25,000 square feet of meeting space that can be configured to accommodate any need. Golf is not the only amenity available at Treetops. Outdoor activities such as, biking, fly fishing, tennis, disc golf, and horseback riding are all on the to-do list while visiting Treetops. When the white stuff starts to fall, Treetops transforms into one of Northern Michigan’s top ski resorts, with 23 expertly groomed ski runs, and 14 kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Over the years Treetops has received its share of accolades from the golf world. Golf Magazine recognized it as one of the finest resorts in the United States, seven-times. In 2002, Treetops was
ranked #32 on Golf Digest’s list of “America’s Top 75 Golf Resorts”, and in June 2000, Conde Nast Traveler named them as a “Top 50 International Resorts.” Year in and year out Treetops is awarded at least 4 stars by Golf Digest’s Places to Play. Back 9 Report talked with General Manager Barry Owens about all the new attractions at Treetops. View the full interview HERE. In addition to great golf, there are two other qualities necessary for a golf resort to earn high marks. Delicious dining and comfortable accommodations are also important to attract and keep golfers returning to the resort. Treetops does not disappoint on either of those requirements. With three restaurants on the main property, the Legends on the Hill, Hunter’s Grille, and the Sports Bar, the food is outstanding. Hunter’s Grille offers a menu of eclectic cuisine and offers spectacular views from the top of the ski hill. Legends on the Hill has a pasta dish that features a giant elk meatball and handmade herb pappardelle pasta covered in a rich tomato Michigan Golf Journal
sauce and served with shaved Parmesan, and garlic toast. There’s also fresh Michigan rainbow trout and a Sous Vide Pork Chop that is incredibly delicious. At the Sports Bar, you can indulge in your favorite madeto-order pizza, or a hot and spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich to compliment your favorite cold beverage. The Southfork Ranch Steak Sandwich is eight ounces of prime rib, sauteed onions, fresh spinach, and garlic aioli, served comfortably, making them perfect for small groups and outings. All are outfitted with modern amenities and the twofloor layout provides added space and unbeatable views. As far as the golf goes all the courses are maintained to tournament standards. Golf Digest named The Masterpiece to its Top 10 list of Favorite Fall Foliage Courses in the nation. The Masterpiece has a slope rating of 147, making it one of the state’s toughest courses, but if you play the tees that best suit your game, you’re sure to have a fun and challenging round. The views, especially in the fall, can create a distraction from your golf game and many return year after year to catch the “Fall Color Season.” Treetops’ other courses, The Smith Signature, The Tradition, The Premier and Threetops are all located at the Treetops North location, just a few minutes from the lodge. The Signature was the second 18-hole layout built on the resort property. It was also the first golf course designed by on fresh rosemary Herb Bread. It is truly a delicious treat after a day on the links. The Jones Tavern at Treetops North is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. It’s primarily a graband-go menu with items like a Signature Burrito, Smith Breakfast Sandwich, the Fazio Grilled Ham and Cheese, and the Traditions Southwest Wrap. Bar 81 is located on the main floor of the lodge just past the reception area and has become a popular gathering spot for those staying in the lodge. Several televisions make it the perfect spot to relax with your friends, recap the day, and watch your favorite sports teams. The rooms in the lodge are some of the largest I’ve stayed in. The lodge also features an indoor pool, hot tub, and a fitness center, as well as the Treetops Spa. The newest addition to the Treetops lodging collection is the Jones Cottages. Each cottage sleeps eight people
Rick Smith who then went on to design the Tradition Course and Threetops. Smith used the insight and knowledge he gained from his numerous trips to Scotland and Ireland to help him shape the courses, giving them the look and feel of some of the world’s best courses. The Premier Course at Treetops Resort is the only Tom Faziodesigned golf course in Michigan and is as challenging as it is forgiving. It’s a very player-friendly course with many wide and rolling fairways. Treetops has completed a major renovation to The Tradition which will appeal to golf enthusiasts who want to experience the game as it was intended to be played, “a good walk spoiled by a little white ball!” holes may look intimidating on the scorecard, but they play significantly downhill. Each hole is unique, and the course conditions are the same as any of the championship 18-hole courses. The greens are the most challenging aspect of the course; some have severe slopes with severe undulation. With the proliferation of par 3 courses at top-flight resorts around the country, Threetops is one of the originals and is still a must-play. Treetops Resort is easy to reach and with great golf, fantastic dining, as well as spacious, comfortable rooms, you won’t go wrong in choosing Treetops as your next golf getaway destination. For more information on this outstanding golf resort, visit their website at www.treetops.com. Smith incorporated many of the traits of a links-style golf course even though it is nowhere near an ocean. The conversion resulted in the removal of many trees, which brings to life subtly rolling fairways and native grasses. The rough areas have been cleaned up and seeded with various fescue grasses. According to General Manager Barry Owens, “With these links-style changes, you can see up to fifteen different greens on different parts of the golf course.” Threetops is the most challenging par 3 course in North America. AARP named Threetops the #1 Par 3 Course in North America. From the back tees, yardages on Threetops range between 140 and 219 yards. The longer Michigan Golf Journal
States. That number has grown significantly especially among juniors and women over the past few years. The USGA and The R&A oversee the rules of golf and are the custodians of the new World Handicapping System. The average men’s handicap falls in the 12-14 range, while the women’s average is higher at 26-29. The state of Mississippi has the lowest recorded average handicap at 11.6. If you were wondering how Michigan stacks up versus other states in the average handicap ratings, the Mitten State comes in ranked No. 27 with a 16.5 average handicap among its Does this mean Mississippi’s golfers are better than Michigan golfers? Golf News Interesting Golf Facts: Michigan’s Handicap Average There are over 66 million golfers in the world, an increase of 5.5 million since 2016. Over 26.6 million of which reside in the United Michigan Golf Journal
I’m sure there are many factors that can be cited to explain this five-shot variance. Mississippi only has 150 golf courses in the state, while Michigan has 800 courses. By these two numbers alone we can assume there are many more golfers in Michigan and it is reasonable to also assume that golf is available to a wider spectrum of golfers, thus higher handicappers bringing that average up. Whatever the reason golfers from all over the world flock to Michigan to enjoy the great golf, summer temperatures and outdoor activities. Let’s make a resolution to work on those handicaps this year and move Michigan up the rankings. USGA Funds Research Projects The United States Golf Association’s (USGA) Mike Davis Program for Advancing Golf Course Management has funded 15 new research projects to advance turfgrass science in 2024, taking the program’s total investment in golf course sustainability to over $50 million since 1983. Aligning with the USGA’s longterm $30 million commitment to reduce golf’s use of conservation habitat, among others. Scientists from leading universities across the country, including Rutgers, the University of Florida, Texas A&M, New Mexico State, North Carolina State, Washington State and Kansas State, are conducting the multi-year research, which is helping to provide the game of golf with data-driven tools water, more than 50 percent of active Davis Grants are focused on projects intended to drive efficiency, effective measurement, innovation and conservation of water on golf courses. They include multi-year studies on optimizing irrigation techniques, improving drought resistance for common fairway, rough and green turfgrasses, and advancing methods of renovating out-of-play areas to
to improve playing conditions and optimize resource use. With more than 60 projects in progress, the Davis Program continues to be the largest private turfgrass and environmental research effort in golf, led by the USGA’s Green Section. “Our Green Section team has some of the brightest minds in golf, and we’re proud to continue forging a sustainable path forward, led by our Davis Program research efforts,” said Matt Pringle, Ph.D., managing director of the USGA Green Section. “As a leader in advancing data-driven and researchbased golf course management practices, we work side-by-side with the top universities and institutions across the country.” Other notable projects receiving funding this year include a pilot effort at Texas A&M University and the University of Tennessee to mine Google course review data to better understand what improves, and detracts from, the golfer experience. The USGA is also continuing a longstanding collaboration with the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program and the National Turfgrass Federation to provide unbiased turfgrass performance data for end users and to advance federal and allied nonprofit organization funding of turfgrass research. The resulting management practices born out of Davis Program research have contributed to a 29 percent decrease in golf’s water use since 2005. In total, the USGA’s investment in course sustainability saves the golf industry an estimated $1.9 billion annually, including: • $201 million from advancing irrigation with efficiencies in turfgrass water use; • $529 million from advancing irrigation scheduling with soil-moisture meters; • $469 million from advancing naturalized rough. For a full list of current research projects, this year’s call for proposals and all other information related to the Davis Grants, click here. Michigan Golf Journal
Reasons To Visit French Lick Resort In 2024 ANOTHER GOLF OPTION In 2024 French Lick will expand its golf offerings by developing a totally new golf experience located near the existing Valley Links Course. Stay tuned for more information on that later. Korn Ferry Tour Coming to French Lick The future stars of the PGA Tour will compete for 2025 PGA Tour cards at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance. The Pete Dye Course will host the Korn Ferry Tour’s seasonending tournament October 3-6, highlighted by the celebratory PGA Tour Card Ceremony. REOPENING OF THE BILLIARD & BOWLING PAVILION For the first time in more than 90 years, guests will be rolling strikes and sinking 8-balls in this historic recreation building on the West Baden Springs Hotel grounds. The Billiard & Bowling Pavilion is coming back to life and should be ready in the fall. The building has been vacant for decades, but the revival will be worth the wait. It will feature 6 lanes of bowling plus billiard tables and there will also be a dining area serving pizza and sandwiches. HEALTH, SPA & RECREATION FFrench Lick has added new hiking and walking trails around our 3,000 acre property. With the popularity of Pickleball, more courts have been added for guests to work up a sweat. With Yoga classes and two world-class spas French
Lick is taking your health and wellness seriously. West Baden Dome Repair The West Baden received substantial damage to the glass dome during a severe hail storm last year. French Lick staff, as well as local contractors have been working feverishly to replace 12,000 square feet of glass panels that were destroyed. The timeline for completion remains on track, and the work should be complete by late April. The first section is already complete and allows the sun to shine once again in the West Baden awe-inspiring atrium. NEW ON THE MENU One of the all-time reasons to visit French Lick is the excellent dining opportunities within the resort. Always looking to improve, French Lick has added more menu options for the popular Power Plant Bar & Grill. A new awning has been added to 1875; The Steakhouse for outdoor dining and a food trailer will offer tasty treats for swimmers splashing around in the French Lick Springs Hotel outdoor pool. Dinners at Sunset will also return for this year. Enjoy a world-class dining experience while taking in a gorgeous Southern Indiana Sunset. As you can see there is a myriad of reasons to visit French Lick this year. Their staff is always looking for new ways to create the perfect vacation for their guests. Click HERE to find out more. Michigan Golf Journal
USGA Revised 2024 Rules What you need to know about 2024 Rules Changes. The United States Golf Aassociation (USGA) sets and defines the rules of golf and have announced three rules changes for 2024. The World Handicap System was first introduced in 2020 in an effort to make golf inclusive for all skill-levels, provide a consistent measure of ability, plus remain current with trends. Now four years later the USGA is making their first revision to those original set of rules and there are three changes that will affect your scoring going forward. 1) A lower minimum length for a golf course to obtain a Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™ Under the current system, an 18-hole course must be at least 3,000 yards to receive a Course Rating and Slope Rating (or 1,500 yards for 9 holes). Starting in 2024, the yardage requirements will be cut in half, to 1,500 and 750 yards, respectively. This is good news for golfers who regularly play par-3 and shorter-length courses and have wanted those scores to count toward their Handicap Index®. Michigan Golf Journal
2) A new treatment of 9-hole scores Today, 9-hole scores are combined in the order posted to create an 18-hole Score Differential™. This means that a 9-hole score shot today could be combined with a 9-hole score from days, weeks, or even months before – which can lead to volatile results. Beginning in 2024, when a player posts a 9-hole score, it will be combined with their expected Score Differential over 9 holes to create an 18hole Score Differential for immediate use – with expected score based on the player’s Handicap Index at the time the round is played as well as a course of standard difficulty. 3) An updated approach for holes not played At present when a hole isn’t played (due to darkness, for example), the score recorded is a net par. When the 2024 revision goes into effect, when 10-17 holes are played, an 18-hole Score Differential will be determined by adding the player’s Score Differential from the holes played to an expected Score Differential for the number of holes not played. Since a player’s expected score is not specific to a course or reliant upon the course’s stroke index allocation (as net par is today), this will lead to more consistency. If you plan on playing competitive tournament golf, it is imperative that you know and understand the rules of golf. Proper handicapping is essential to maintain a level playing field for all contestants in a handicap event. For more clarification visit: https://www.usga. org/.
A “New” Pinehurst Welcomes the World in 2024 The latest developments in a place as steeped in history as the “Home of American Golf” — North Carolina’s Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area — only accentuate all this region has to offer. Most notably, the United States Open championship returns to Pinehurst Resort following a 10year absence. About a quarter of a million people are expected to descend upon the area for this men’s major championship, which will be held at venerable Pinehurst No. 2, June 10-16. By the time the world’s best are teeing it up at No. 2, the USGA’s Golf House Pinehurst Even if you’ve made a recent visit to the Sandhills region of the Tar Heel State, you will quickly discover that Pinehurst ‘24 is a decidedly different destination. The year ahead will be filled with numerous creations and attractions to enjoy on and away from the golf course. Michigan Golf Journal
will be open and with it the return of the World Golf Hall of Fame to its original and rightful place inside the Home of American Golf — the perfect way to welcome the world to this destination as it once again makes its mark on the global stage. The USGA campus and World Golf Hall of Fame at Pinehurst Resort tee up a “mustsee” experience for any visitor to the area. The other dominant golf headline around the Sandhills in 2024 is the arrival of Hill Farm in nearby Asheboro received a refurbishing under new ownership. Away from the course, retired Army veterans Brad and Jessica Halling have opened the BHAWK distillery headquarters in Southern Pines, where they are raising the American spirit and expressing gratitude for extraordinary service through two premium brands, Sergeant’s Valor and Madam Colonel. In addition, Southern Pines Brewing Company plans to turn the old Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory, located in downtown Carthage, into a twostory brewery and restaurant featuring more than 50 taps, a downstairs speakeasy, a worldclass cocktail program and pizza flights. The Pinehurst area has a storied legacy of golf unlike any other place in the country. And it keeps getting better. See the latest packages and other news at HomeofGolf.com. Pinehurst No. 10. The Pinehurst Resort is set to open its 10th course on April 3. It’s the first original course built by the resort in nearly three decades. No. 10 is a Tom Doak design on land that once housed The Pit. The landscape underlying Doak’s layout features native wiregrass, sweeping landscape and rolling hills formed by geology. Midway through the course, Doak also takes advantage of rugged dunes carved out by mining operations around the turn of the 20th century. No. 10 is now taking tee time reservations. Of late, Southern Pines Golf Club unveiled the 18-hole Overhills Putting Course, designed by Kyle Franz. Kris Spence “resurrected” Woodlake Country Club in Vass, while Mike Strantz’s Tot
Most Noteworthy Products From 2024 PGA Golf Show By Len Ziehm Every year the giant PGA Show, held in Orlando, is the same thing – only different. The 71st rendition, held in January, once again showcased the newest must-have golf gear and attire. More than 1,000 golf companies and brands enticed approximately 30,000 industry members who gathered for the traditional Demo Day, and at the Orange County Convention Center for three days of total golf immersion. The golf industry is in a very good place at the moment. The 41 million Americans playing golf generate $22.6 billion dollars to the total economic impact in this country alone. We always find it interesting to check out all the new products and here is our list of the Top 10 for 2024. Popticals Sunglasses Popticals sunglasses are hand-made in Italy and are specifically designed for various sports and needs. ``Our most popular is our golf line,’’ said Gary DiSalvo, chief executive officer for the company’s headquarters in Ellisville, Mo. ``These glasses are specifically made for golf. The lens focus is on green and golf courses are overwhelmed by green. We wanted them to focus more on the ground, and the green color will help you see better. As soon as you put on a pair on a golf course you’ll see different shades of green. They delineate miniscule differences in the grass, elevation changes and where the break might be.’’ Click HERE to find out more at their website.
Wheel Pro Stride Zero Friction introduced their newest innovation, the Wheel Pro Stride electric bag trolley. The Stride is an update of the Wheel Pro, which won industry honors at this year’s PGA Show. The Stride’s 35-pound bag has a pocket-sized remote control that uses Smart Technology to follow within three feet of the golfer. It’s a versatile product, though, as you can push it, carry it or put it on a cart. It comes with an umbrella holder, a cooler that can hold up to six cans or bottles, two invisible magnets to secure a rangefinder or Bluetooth speaker and a built-in USB port. Click HERE to visit their website for more information. Omnix Golf Bags Omnix specializes in customized golf bags and some of their creations were the most eye-catching items at the show. They had an interchangeable outer shell, seven multiple pockets, 14-way club dividers – and a distinctive appearance. The company calls their bags ``revolutionary’’ with their combination of advanced technology, functionality and edgy style. The models that caught my eye the most were in the company’s Rainbow Series. The Black Vodka and Sex on the Beach models in that series are both priced at $540. ``Omnix bags will illuminate the course and feed free spirits,’’ according to the company’s website. No argument there. Find out more about Omnix Golf Bags HERE. Perfect Hands Golf Perfect Hands Golf is billed as ``the world’s first ever swing and strength trainer.’’ The training aid comes complete with a belt, four acceleration bands in 10, 20, 30 and 40-pound increments, gloves for both hands, plus a handy carry case. If used as suggested, this device helps a player get his swing on plane, increase strength and range of motion. In short, Perfect Hands can develop proper technique and increase swing speed. Click HERE to visit their website. Michigan Golf Journal
Zigit Beer And Drink Dispenser This Phoenix-based company touts their features: • Provide golfers with immediate, gratuity-free access to the alcoholic beverages • Generates larger margins for courses because it requires less overhead and staffing headaches • Upholds compliance controls, including drink limits per day, per user • Tracks real-time inventory • Reduces alcohol inventory shrinkage which often reaches 30% • Speeds up pace of play ``We’re targeting golfers because they could use it year-around,’’ said Zigit’s Chris Hurry. Golf course management decides which beverages are offered, plus Zigit has technology that can screen out under-age buyers and limit the daily intake of others. You can find out more at their APP. One Club Training Device The One Club Training Device provides instantaneous tactile, audible and sensory feedback to promote correct swing consistency. Alcides Deschesnes, a Canadian-born mechanical engineer, developed the One Club Device designed to increase golfers’ swing speeds. ``It’s more than a weighted club,’’ said Deschesnes. ``It combines the principles of dynamic inertia resistance with instant feedback and can be used as an exercise tool.’’ Click HERE to find out more. Dial Ball Marker Toweltag, a Canadian company that also manufactures popular golf towels, intrigued me with their ball marker. It helps golfers draw straight lines on their balls for identification purposes but is more valuable after play begins. ``It can be used as an alignment tool,’’ said Craig Holub, who introduces himself as TowelTag’s ``founder and visionary.’’ The ball marker comes with a dial that can help line up putts, either on the practice green, or on the course. Order online at TowelTag.
Lagmaster A training aid shaped like a drainpipe under your kitchen sink can accomplish big things for golfers. The Lagmaster is said to ``teach movement that gets the body, arms, hands and club synced correctly and trains the power swing, weight shift, sequence, low point and finish.’’ And, according to promotional material, ``it keeps it simple.’’ Click HERE to learn more. Golf Breeze Designed by Randy Kuckuck, the Golf Breeze is the golf version of his popular Zoom Broom. This battery-powered gadget fits nicely in your golf bag and quickly removes leaves, or other debris from your line on the green. Learn more about Zoom Golf Breeze at their website. Michigan Golf Journal
TaylorMade Q 10 Drivers Introduced TaylorMade Golf has introduced three new models in their Qi10 series, including the Qi10 Max with a MOI (moment of inertia), or resistance to twisting. The big news from TaylorMade this season is the extremely high MOI value of their new Qi10 Max driver, which is much greater than many competitors’ drivers. MOI or resistance to twisting when impact with the ball is not in the center of center tee shot. Hitting it longer is nice but if you can’t find the fairway chances are your scoring will suffer. Brian Bazzel, Vice President of Product Creation for TaylorMade offered his opinion about the new line, “We’re all about breaking barriers and never looking back. From the first metal wood to 60X Carbon Twist Face, once we commit and the face is very important for players at all levels but especially those occasional recreational golfers. Less twisting at impact results in a increased ball speed which provides more distance and accuracy from each off By Ed Travis Michigan Golf Journal
Fast Facts TaylorMade Qi10 Driver Series Shallow shaped carbon fiber head Infinity crown covering 97% of top surface 60-layer carbon fiber Twist Face Sole slot behind face Adjustable hosel +/- 2° Qi10 Max Driver Game-improvement category MOI 10,000 g-cm2 Stock shafts: Fujikura Speeder NX TCS, MCA Diamana T+ Stock grip: Golf Pride Z-Grip MSRP: $599.99 Qi10 LS Better player category Sole slot behind face Sliding 18g weight in separate slot Stock shafts: Tensei AV Limited Blue or Black Stock grip: Golf Pride Z-Grip MSRP: $629.99 Qi10 Driver Game-improvement category Stock shafts: MCA Diamana T+, Fujikura Ventus TR Blue Stock grip: Golf Pride Z-Grip MSRP: $599.99 cross a threshold, we continue to push the boundaries of innovation. Achieving the 10K inertia mark is yet another one of those in the long history of TaylorMade driving the industry forward.” The Qi10 LS is for players with higher swing speeds, who generate more spin off the driver. It is engineered for reducing the spin rate for additional carry accompanied by lower trajectory. The LS also has a sliding sole weight to adjust the draw/fade bias. A lightweight High & Light (HL) version of the Qi10 Max both at 10.5° and 12.0° lofts can be ordered for custom manufacture targeting those with slow to moderate swing speeds such as ladies and seniors.
TRUE LINKSWEAR EXPANDS ITS SHOE, APPAREL LINES By Steve Pike TRUE Linkswear creator of modern golf footwear designed for on the course and off, is launching two new breakthrough footwear offerings, a rain jacket, as well as an exclusive event customization program for 2024. TRUE’s CEO Jason Moore says that 2024 will include TRUE’s most robust offerings ever. “It represents a culmination of a full decade of ideas, effort and energy into an expansive line that serves players of every level. “We’re here to make your next round more enjoyable. You need comfortable shoes that look and feel good. You need apparel that functions and fits your style. You also need rain gear, head covers, golf gloves, and everything in between. In 2024, TRUE exists to make your next golf trip as enjoyable as possible. If you’re packing TRUE gear, it’s going to work, it’s going to hold up, and you’re going to feel good wearing it. For our team, that’s the ultimate testament. If you fill up that duffel bag for your next golf trip with nothing but TRUE gear, we’re going be extremely proud as a brand who prides itself in outfitting golfers with comfortable, functional, durable and timelessly stylish footwear, apparel and accessories.” LUX G Shoe Launching in April, the LUX G was designed with next-level fit, comfort and performance in mind. “Utilizing our Tour-level LUX model and incorporating new performance features, it’s designed to take the Tour by storm,” says Moore. “It’s a shoe that you can compete in, wear through the mud and hose down afterwards, and it looks as good as new when you’re done – the wear-and-tear is better than anything we’ve ever made. The durable mesh toe is coated to be completely stain- and waterresistant. It’s fully waterproof Michigan Golf Journal
and designed with style and performance in mind. We applied our tour-level innovation and two-year waterproof guarantee to a shoe that we felt would actually hold up to the elements. Players will also love the new comfortable fit and feel that are unlike anything on the market. It has a sock fit opening, so it’s snug like a very comfortable, customizable fit that locks in your feet. This shoe combines some of our best ideas from our other popular styles.” OG Cush Shoe Coming in June, the OG Cush Sports shoe has an entirely revamped zero drop, wide toe box outsole and midsole construction; a first-ever refresh on the brand’s fundamental differentiator back in 2010. “The OG Cush is the first refreshed zero-drop, wide toe box model on an all-new outsole,”
says Moore. “It’s really our first new iteration, that heritage fit and feel but now with boosted cushioning. Working with podiatrists and foot health experts, we made the OG Cush as a first-of-its-kind cushioned zero drop shoe, meaning you’re in for a comfortable ride while maintaining a healthy, ergonomic fit and feel. The improved cushioning is for people wearing these shoes beyond the golf course – for anyone on their feet all day, these will be their go-to shoe but they’ll have plenty of tread to lace them up and play competitive rounds. It’s a natural, ergonomically inspired fit. The zerodrop platform means it’s completely level from heel to forefoot. Boosted cushioning will wear into your foot shape over time, and you will create your own natural arch. So this will give you more arch support as you’re stepping into the cushion. We also built this to be a great allweather shoe that you can wear comfortably in the heat or in a mild rain. It’s not a snug fit opening, so it’s easy to get your foot into and then lace up to your preferred level of stability.” Future Staples 3L Rain Jacket Now available, the TRUE Future Staples 3L Rain Jacket is ideal whether you’re facing a light Michigan Golf Journal
drizzle at your local muni, or gearing up for a five-day Bandon downpour. A full-nylon shell with both a 20,000 mm waterproof and breathability rating, it keeps you dry in any environment without becoming sweaty or clammy inside. The thermoregulating interior liner ensures your body stays at the proper temperature. It’s patterned for frequent movement with a 4-way stretch here. And we wanted a rain jacket you’d be proud to wear after the golf round. A lot of performance golf rain gear looks like something that should be rolled up in your golf bag and never worn elsewhere. And we wanted to make a golf rain jacket that would look great and perform great on the course but also one you wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear to dinner afterwards. Or you actually might actually look forward to integrating into your outfits. Its temperature-regulating liner is my favorite part. We’ve all been in that tropical storm, with rain pouring down and you want to stay dry, but it’s too hot and sweaty to wear a jacket. So our temperature-regulating liner keeps you in the comfort zone so you stay nice and warm on colder days but not too hot on hotter days. It was a pretty substantial investment but is a game changer. Technology has come a long way, so we have 20k waterproof and breathable ratings in this jacket – that’s the type of materials you’d find on high-end performance snow gear or a mountaineering jacket. We’ve integrated an intense amount of spandex so that this actually feels lightweight and comfortable, and moves with your swing with a 15 percent spandex rating. It’s going to feel like your favorite flexible rain jacket.” material and extra-flex in just the right places for your swing. The cherry on top? The hood clips to the back of the jacket – ensuring it stays in place. This is technical precision perfected. Plus, it features an industry- leading five-year warranty. “We didn’t want to skimp on rainwear,” says Moore. “We live in the wet Pacific Northwest, so we only used the best materials available
Pickleball Continues Its Unparalleled Growth By Jack Barrett Pickleball has swept the nation and more than 36 million Americans have taken up the game. Played on a court roughly one fourth the size of a tennis court Pickleball is a cross between Ping Pong and Tennis. The game is played with a wiffle ball roughly the size of a baseball and a paddle used to swat the ball to and fro over the net. According to USA Pickleball, the governing body of the sport, their membership increased by 15% in 2023. New pickleball courts are constantly being added to municipal parks, country clubs and senior citizen retirement communities. All strata of the population are enjoying the fast-moving sport. More than 50,000 pickleball courts are accessible at 11,885 locations around the country. Over 1,000 new locations were added in 2023. USA Pickleball sanctioned 195 tournaments last year, including the National Championship and National Indoor Championship. In addition, USA Pickleball was directly involved in the development of over $300 million in new facilities in 2023, including over 35 regional venues. Nearly 3,500 players registered to compete in the National Championship and were rooted on by 50,000 spectators in attendance. USA Pickleball also awarded 165 grants to support community, collegiate and youth pickleball programs. They added 35 newly trained referees to bring the total to 2,271 certified referees to preside over sanctioned competitions. As more and more people discover the benefits of the sport, pickleball is expected to continue its rapid growth in 2024. Golf and Pickleball have become entwined as many country clubs and upscale golf clubs have added courts for their players. If you would like to learn more about pickleball, visit the USA Pickleball, or the Pickleheads websites for more information and resources. Michigan Golf Journal
Michigan Golf Journal
Get Back Pain Relief Without Surgery From Franciscan Health Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the U.S. and a leading cause of disability. Doctors classify the two types of back pain based on how long they last: Acute Back Pain: It appears suddenly and may last a few days or weeks. The pain might be caused by lifting something too heavy or twisting or bending. Chronic Back Pain: It lasts 12 weeks or longer and may continue even after you treat the initial cause. Chronic back pain often results from wear and tear of spinal vertebrae (back bones) over time – such as arthritis. Choose The Right Provider “Seeing a doctor can help prevent an acute back injury from becoming chronic,” says John Kihlken, MD, pain management specialist with Franciscan Physician Network Neuroscience Specialists. “You should see a doctor if you have severe back pain, numbness and tingling, trouble urinating, weakness or weight loss. Look for a provider or organization with a
broad scope of back pain care, including physical therapy, minimally invasive approaches and surgery.” Physical Therapy Physical therapy can help relieve pain and swelling, improve range of motion, strength, and stamina – and even help prevent future back injuries. “I find most people benefit from using a multimodal approach to care,” says Kenneth Reynolds, DPT, a physical therapist with Franciscan Health. “These can include manual therapy, exercise and lifestyle changes.” What To Expect Your first physical therapy appointment helps set a baseline for treatment. It allows your therapist to understand your symptoms, assess your strength and mobility, and learn about your goals and expectations. “During the evaluation, we learn about your pain – the level, what makes it better or worse and how it fluctuates during the day,” says Reynolds. Treatments • Application of ice (best for acute back injuries) and heat • Aquatic therapy (low-impact, gentle resistance exercise in a pool) • Cupping (applies suction to the skin to increase blood flow and promote healing) • Dry needling (uses ultra-thin acupuncture needles to relieve pain and swelling) • Electrical stimulation (uses electrodes on the skin to stimulate underlying muscles and improve blood flow) Michigan Golf Journal
• Joint mobilization (gentle movement of joints to increase range of motion) • Soft-tissue manipulation (often with metal or plastic massage tools) to ease tightened muscles and improve circulation • Supervised exercise and assisted stretching How Important Is Exercise? Exercise is a key part of physical therapy – both during your PT session and at home. “For many people with back pain, walking is like ‘nature’s back balm,’” says Reynolds. “When you walk and swing your arms, a hydraulic pumping action takes place in your spine, low back and surrounding soft tissue that can be very therapeutic.” Walking is great for rehabilitation and prevention and can lower blood sugar and cortisol levels, which rise when you’re injured. Exercise for back pain should also include strengthening abdominal muscles to help protect the spine. You also can protect your back longterm by strength training three days a week. Spinal Injections For severe back pain or pain that hasn’t responded to physical therapy or other conservative approaches, doctors can inject medicines directly into the spine to relieve back pain. It takes anywhere from a few days to a week for an injection to take effect. “Typically, we use injections for chronic back pain, such as pain caused by disc degeneration,” says Dr. Kihlken. “We use many types of injections – most commonly epidural steroid injections to relieve swelling and pain. Spinal injections can also treat symptoms like tingling, weakness or radiating pain. Steroid injections usually relieve symptoms for one to three months, and the injections must be given at least three months apart.” Other spinal injections include facet joint injections, which treat pain in the small joints between vertebrae. Trigger point injections relieve muscle pain and swelling, such as for fibromyalgia (fatigue and widespread muscle pain and tenderness) or myofascial pain syndrome (long-lasting muscle pain). “We also use radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat chronic back pain, such as arthritis in the facet joints in the back,” says Dr. Kihlken. “This procedure applies heat to the joint’s nerve tissue to block pain signals. RFA can relieve pain for six to 12 months.” If back pain is stopping you from enjoying golf and your best life, Franciscan Health can help as it offers a full range of nonsurgical back pain treatments to let you live without pain.
Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis Steve Pike Ed Travis is a national award winning golf journalist and has had a lifelong love affair with the game. He has competed in tournament golf both as an amateur and as a senior professional and though his competitive days are behind him, he still plays regularly and carries a handicap of 2. https://www.facebook.com/ed.travis.98 Steve Pike is a multiple award-winning journalist and author. He has written for Golfweek, Golf World, The New York Times Magazine Group, Golf Digest and as a golf business writer for PGA.com. You can find more from Steve at Spike’s Peeks: The Art of Travel, as well as, Links Magazine, Hotelinteractive.com, Coastal Star Newspaper, NewEngland.golf and Golf-Hound.com Len Ziehm David Theoret Len Ziehm spent 41 years as a golf columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. He now free lances golf travel pieces and posts for http://lenziehmongolf. com/. Find Len on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ lenziehmongolf/ David grew up playing hockey in Canada and after taking one too many pucks to the head, he decided Golf was a better alternative. He now resides in Lakeland, Florida and much of his time is spent on a golf course or practice range. You can find him at www.thegolfinguy.com or email him at: thegolfinguy@ gmail.com Jack Barrett Jack Barrett is a former Executive Director of The First Tee. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County, Florida, plus a Certified Els for Autism Golf Coach. He has become a rabid Pickleball fan and player. Contact Jack on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ jack.barrett.pb Michigan Golf Journal
VIDEOS Top names performed well at the Sentry Championship, LIV & PGA Tour battles continue. The LPGA is set to start 2024 in Florida and television ratings down for PGA Tour coverages. Amy Lillibridge talks about recent events and goals of the Evans Scholarship Foundation which awards full-ride college scholarships to caddies. Team USA is set to travel to Ireland in April of 2024 to compete on Irish links courses. The very best of Irish parkland golf and castles will play host during their trip! Amateur Golfers NO USGA GHIN Handicap required to play in Team USA Qualifiers! You could win a trip and play for Team USA in Ireland in 2025! To register visit: https:// www.usairelandgolf.com/#/ Kirk Wins, No Deal Yet with LIV, LPGA set to Start 2024 Season Amy Lillibridge Talks Current Happenings at Evans Scholarship Foundation Preview Team USA vs Team Ireland in 2024 Amateur Golf Championship Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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