John Holmes's blog

For Lydia Ko, money can wait

Lydia Ko
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Lydia Ko said she was shocked when she realized how much money she could have pocketed last year, but says she still doesn't know when she'll turn pro.
By John Holmes

Series: Golf Buzz

Is Lydia Ko a has-been at age 15?


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Here's why Elin Nordegren tore down a mansion

Elin Nordegren's new mansion
Photo by Jeff Lichtenstein
Elin Nordegren's decision to tear down an old house and build a new one on its site was prompted by one fact unknown until now.
By John Holmes

Series: Golf Buzz

When the word leaked out that Tiger Woods' ex-wife Elin Nordegren was tearing down a $12 million oceanfront mansion in Palm Beach County, Fla., to build a new house on the same site, there was plenty of snickering and eye-rolling. Turns out she did the smart thing.


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Luke Donald renews club deal with Mizuno

Luke Donald and caddie John McLaren
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Luke Donald and caddie John McLaren will continue to handle Mizuno irons and wedges for the next several seasons.
By John Holmes

Series: Golf Buzz

Last week, world No. 1 Rory McIlroy made the season’s biggest equipment switch, as he officially moved over from Titleist to Nike. On Wednesday, world No. 3 Luke Donald did exactly the opposite.

Donald has re-upped his endorsement agreement with Mizuno, signing a multi-year agreement with the Japanese clubmaker whose equipment he has played for many years. Donald doesn't play an entire bag of Mizuno clubs, but he does use the company’s irons and wedges, and those clubs are the backbone of his steady short game.


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NBC to televise Scottish Open live this summer

Johnny Miller and Dan Hicks
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Johnny Miller and Dan Hicks will headline NBC's live coverage of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open this summer.
By John Holmes

Series: Golf Buzz

The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is always a big event on the European Tour because it's played the week before the British Open and therefore features several top Americans along with the Europe's best. And for the next two seasons, the final two rounds will air live on NBC.


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Mobile Warming outerwear takes the chill out of winter golf

Mobile Warming Gear golf outerwear
Courtesy of Mobile Warming Gear
The golf-specific vests and jackets from Mobile Warming Gear contain micro-alloy heating elements built into the back and chest area, which completely eliminate the need for extra layers of clothing while keeping muscles loose in all conditions.
By John Holmes

Series: Golf Buzz

Playing golf at this time of the year can be a challenge because keeping warm can be as tough as a 200-yard carry over water. If you live in the three-quarters of the country that are freezing right now, you know what I mean.


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Bad day to be a favorite

Jamie Donaldson, Brian Gay and John Cook
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Jamie Donaldson, Brian Gay and John Cook all had to come form behind to win on Sunday.
By John Holmes

Series: Golf Buzz

Wow, what a Sunday – on the golf course and the football field. Unless, of course, you started the day in the lead.


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Serious golfers support anchor ban, survey says

Carl Pettersson
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PGA Tour player Carl Pettersson is among the vocal minority of players who has spoken out against the proposed ban.
By John Holmes

Series: Golf Buzz

Are you for the proposed ban on anchoring the putting stroke, or are you opposed?

Since the USGA and R&A announced their plans for the anchoring ban in late November, we've heard every possible opinion from every type of golfer. But with so many competing arguments flying through the air, it's been difficult to get a handle on whether the golfing public as a whole is for or against the proposal.


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Rory McIlroy switches back to Scotty Cameron putter, at least for now

Rory McIlroy
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The photo on the left shows the putter Rory McIlroy used Friday (the three circles indicate it's a Scotty Cameron), while the photo on the right shows McIlroy with his Nike putter on Thursday (you can see the Swoosh on the heel).
By John Holmes

Series: Golf Buzz

Is the honeymoon over already?

On Friday, Rory McIlroy reverted back to his old Scotty Cameron putter for the second round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship – after playing only one competitive round with his new Nike flat stick.

McIlroy, who was unveiled as Nike's newest brand ambassador in a big news conference on Monday, took 31 putts with his new Nike Method 006 putter on Thursday. On Friday, he went back to his trusty Titleist Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport GSS – even though he kept it under a Nike putter cover.


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Dustin + Paulina! Tiger + Elin?

Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky
Dustin Johnson via Twitter
Dustin Johnson called Paulina Gretzky "my baby" in a tweet he sent out accompanying this photo of the two of them together.
By John Holmes

Series: Golf Buzz

Well, some of us might have imaginary girlfriends, but Dustin Johnson has the real thing.

Some eagle-eyed golf observers noticed Paulina Gretzky patrolling the grounds during the Hyundai Tournament of Champions two weeks ago, while others said they had seen the Great One's daughter out with Johnson in the evenings at Kapalua. There was no official proof, however, until Johnson himself tweeted out the photo posted above late yesterday.


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Best press release of the week comes from Spotless Swing

Spotless Swing golf towels
The Spotless Swing golf towel is as imaginative as the press release being used to tout it.
By John Holmes

Series: Golf Buzz

The PGA Merchandise Show – where thousands of golf companies big and small gather in Orlando for the world's largest golf trade show – is next week, and we are routinely inundated with press releases in these days just beforehand. But one we got Thursday stands out above all the others.


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