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2023 U.S. Open Recap: 7 Takeaways Including Wyndham Clark, Rory McIlroy, Elite Golfer Dads, & More…


What a wild week at Los Angeles Country Club as Wyndham Clark won the 123rd U.S. Open for his first major title and hot takes littered the landscape until the very end. Let’s get right to my TOP 7 takeaways from it all.
1. It had undoubtedly been a breakthrough campaign for Clark
He won the Wells Fargo Championship and has established himself as a high-level talent, even before this week.
That’s great, but it usually takes a few spins around a major leaderboard before a player is ready to win one, yet Clark hadn’t finished better than T-75 in six previous starts. I interviewed him after each of the first three rounds for the U.S. Open Radio broadcast, and what struck me each time was a confidence that bordered on nonchalance, as if he’d challenged for majors a dozen times before and it wasn’t really a big deal anymore.
Not gonna lie: That insouciance toward it all had me thinking he was going to crash and burn when the real spotlight shined on him, as the bright lights of a Sunday back-nine have withered many confident players before him.
That never happened, though. Clark was able to maintain that steely demeanor, even in the most high-pressure moments. It’s something that most players who haven’t won a major usually struggle with in their first few attempts — and something that some multiple major winners still struggle with.
To me, that was the most impressive thing about this victory. It never appeared like the situation was too big for him. Apparently, because it wasn’t.
2. This was the scouting report for Clark
For those who hadn’t paid too much attention to him until this year: His two best clubs in the bag have always been driver and putter, which can be a deadly combo if he’s even just field average with his irons.
Well, that’s all changed this year. His approach play has been his greatest strength, though it’s not like his driving and putting have gotten any worse. This week, he ranked second off the tee and fourth in putting (while only 49th with his irons), but the biggest difference was his short game around the greens.
On at least three to four occasions, it looked like Clark was potentially looking at bogey, only to hit a pitch shot stone dead next to the hole and save par.
For the tourney, he ranked third in strokes gained around the greens.
Think about it this way: It’s not a stretch to suggest that if two of those chip shots run 8-10 feet past the hole and he misses the putt, he loses by a stroke instead of winning by one. It all accounts for a very fine line, but that short game kept him on the right side of it.
3. If you’re scoring at home, it’s been a rough stretch for Rory McIlroy
That’s now three straight Sundays when McIlroy was in the lead or close to it, but couldn’t get it done when it mattered most.
And while you’re doing such scoring, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that it’s been nine years since his last major victory. I’m not sure I have a great explanation for any of it — and I don’t think he does, either. This one is going to sting for a little while, as he had every chance to take control of the tournament and could just never wrestle it away from Clark.
The biggest mistake was a bogey on the par-5 14th hole after getting incredibly lucky with an embedded ball ruling. But this underscored the fact that nearly every single putt looked good for about 97% of its journey, only to take a late turn at the hole and fail to drop.
It recalled the final round of last year’s Open Championship. He was leading that one instead of playing from behind, but he couldn’t get a putt to drop at the Old Course, either. That has to be bitterly frustrating for him. If he weren’t hitting the ball well or couldn’t get into contention, that’s one thing.
But to get there and not make anything on the greens has to make him feel like he’s snakebitten once again like the golf gods are somehow conspiring against him.
4. Here’s the good news for Scottie Scheffler:
After a few brutally poor putting performances — he lost strokes on the greens in five of his previous six starts entering this week — he actually gained 0.20 strokes per round at LACC.
For those who believed that just a slightly above-average week with the putter would yield a title for the tee-to-green master, that didn’t happen this week. Not that the logic is flawed, he just didn’t hit the ball as well as he did in his most recent start at Muirfield Village, ranking “only” third in that tee-to-green stat.
What I can tell you is that for as much as the rest of the world is vividly aware of his flatstick troubles lately, Scheffler is well aware himself, tinkering with different models and sizes throughout the past week.
I don’t know if he’s ever going to be the best putter in the game — in fact, I’m pretty sure he won’t — but I do think he’ll improve soon. And when he does, watch out. He now has three straight top-three finishes, five straight top-fives, and 17 straight top-12s.
If that putter gets warm — not even hot, just warm — he’ll start turning those close calls into more wins in a hurry.
5. This U.S. Open lacked a buzz, because, well, it lacked spectators – Period
That was one of the underlying plotlines this week, anyway. (As my colleague Bob Harig said, “Golf but quieter.”)
That isn’t wrong by any means, but like some other sweeping declarations about this event, it deserves an explanation. The biggest issue is that the North Course was built more than a century ago – and for private play, not in hopes of someday hosting one of the world’s biggest tournaments.
The WM Phoenix Open isn’t a massive party just because the locals show up; it’s a massive party because it’s set up to be a massive party. If you build it, they will come, so to speak. They didn’t build it that way at LACC, which is understandable.
The fans who were here often couldn’t get too close to the action, just due to the topography of the land. With greens leading directly to tee boxes and barrancas guarding much of it, there’s just nowhere to put the people. And with limited tickets available, from what I witnessed this was mostly a country-club crowd, which makes some sense, considering walk-in ticket prices were going for $300.
Most events will see a decent amount of beer-swilling, frat-bro, mashed-potatoes fans who are there to make their presence known. Everybody at this one looked like they’d had a tee time earlier that morning.
And then there’s this – and I mean this from a non-LA guy who was shocked every night by how long the GPS said it would take to get back to a hotel that was five miles away: The traffic is an absolute nightmare. If you’ve got a chance to leave early and save 90 minutes of your life, I imagine you’d do it rather than wait out the final pairing by the 18th green.
None of this belies the lack of buzz, but trying to place blame on one particular party is trickier than it appears.
6. Some folks on social media suggested I should rip LACC North
For being unworthy of a major championship following a pair of 62s in the opening round and no scores in the 80s. Just as for Erin Hills six years ago.
My answer: We have to separate the course from the setup. While we can all agree that the USGA set up this week’s host venue too cautiously to start the week, leading to those low scores, we can similarly agree that by week’s end, it proved inherently worthy of having this event.
I fell in love with LACC the first time I walked around on Monday. It’s subjective, sure, but I never felt close to that way about Erin Hills. Seeing a bunch of red numbers on the leaderboard shouldn’t be a reason to bash a U.S. Open course, just the way it’s been maneuvered for a certain round.
That said, those who did (properly) bash the early-round setup probably don’t understand just how fine the line is between “a little too easy” and “way too penal.” Without a championship of this magnitude on this course previously, there was little background info on the best way to approach it. (And for all the talk on why LACC played to such a low scoring average early, the easiest explanation might be that the world’s best players don’t miss from inside 10 feet on perfect greens. Make those surfaces poa annua and we’d see a whole lot more shorties bumping around the hole.)
We do need to give the USGA credit, though. Sure, the weather cooperated, but the week concluded with a U.S. Open-worthy track that provided a terrific stage for this event, even if the winning score wasn’t something over-par like this tourney of a generation ago.
7. On this Father’s Day, a shoutout to not just all the dads out there
Imagine being given the free pass to play golf all morning and THEN turn around watch the final round all afternoon and evening, but a special nod to those who have the best gig in the game. More on this below…
I’ve had this conversation with colleagues on a few occasions and again this weekend, but there’s one specific faction of golf insiders who has things better than anyone else.
The players? Sure, they’re rich and get to play golf, but there’s tons of pressure and disappointment on a regular basis.
Swing coaches? Caddies? Same deal: They’re all one decision away from looking for the next job.
Media members? Hell no, trust me.
Instead, the best “job” is that of an Elite Golfer Dad. I’m telling you, some of the friendliest people in the game are the likes of Gerry McIlroy, Scott Scheffler, and Rod Fowler. They’ve all got a nice tan, they tag along to play golf at the nicest clubs, they’re all super proud of their sons, and they all get to hang out at tournaments cheering them on.
That’s not to suggest the moms aren’t just as great, if not more so, but the carefree demeanor of the dads in a world where everyone else is worrying about something always makes me envious of just how good they’ve got it.
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Sweating It Out: Guide to Playing Golf in the Summer Heat Without Melting Into the Fairway
Learn from Ty Webb on how to play in the heat of the summer without melting into the fairway.

Hey there, sun-soaked swingers of the sticks. Ty Webb here, and today we’re talking about summer golf — you know, that magical time of year when your golf ball flies farther, your shirt clings tighter, and your sunscreen budget could bankrupt a small country.
Playing golf in extreme heat isn’t for the faint of heart… or the faint of hydration. Once the temperature climbs above 90°F, the fairway turns into a frying pan, your putter grip feels like it’s been left in the oven, and you start questioning whether that hazy mirage in the distance is the green or just your sanity evaporating.
The key to summer golf survival? Hydration, shade, and pacing yourself like you’re in a pro-am with a three-hour lunch break. Don’t just drink water — drown in it. Wear light, moisture-wicking clothes (unless you enjoy the sensation of golfing in a wet wool sweater). And for the love of Arnie, apply SPF like you’re frosting a cake.
Now, I know what you’re thinking — “But Ty, won’t all this caution kill my competitive edge?” Not at all. Summer heat golf is all about strategy. Tee off early to beat the worst of the sun, embrace a slower swing to conserve energy, and always, always pick the cart with the best cup holder-to-seat ratio.
And when the last putt drops and you’re peeling yourself off your shirt like a human fruit roll-up, remember: every blister, every sunburn, every suspicious tan line is just proof that you survived the ultimate challenge — golf in summer heat.
So, keep your cool, keep your game sharp, and I’ll see you out there… probably hiding in the cart’s shadow between shots.
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The Unwritten Rules Every Golfer Should Know About Etiquette
Learn the essential golf etiquette rules that will make you a welcome playing partner on any course. Master these unwritten rules of golf.

There’s an old saying in golf that the game reveals character, and nowhere is this more evident than in how a golfer conducts themselves on the course. Golf etiquette isn’t just about following rules – it’s about respect, consideration, and preserving the traditions that make golf the gentleman’s (and gentlewoman’s) game it has always been.
I learned this lesson early in my golf journey during a round at a prestigious private club where I was a guest. I was so focused on trying to play well and impress my host that I completely forgot about basic etiquette. I walked across putting lines, failed to repair ball marks, and generally acted like someone who had never set foot on a golf course before. My host was gracious about it, but I could tell I had embarrassed both of us. That experience taught me that how you play golf is just as important as how well you play golf.
Golf etiquette exists for practical reasons. It keeps the game moving at a reasonable pace, protects the course conditions for everyone who follows, and ensures that all players can enjoy their round without unnecessary distractions or frustrations. But beyond the practical aspects, etiquette is what separates golf from other sports and maintains the unique culture and traditions that make the game special.
The beauty of golf etiquette is that it’s largely based on common sense and consideration for others. If you approach each situation by asking yourself, “What would I want other golfers to do in this situation?” you’ll usually arrive at the correct etiquette choice. However, there are specific guidelines and traditions that every golfer should know, whether you’re playing your first round or your thousandth.
Understanding and following proper golf etiquette will make you a welcome playing partner at any course, from your local municipal track to the most exclusive private clubs. It shows respect for the game, the course, and your fellow golfers. More importantly, it helps ensure that everyone can enjoy their round and that the course remains in good condition for those who follow.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the essential elements of golf etiquette, from the moment you arrive at the course until you shake hands on the 18th green. These aren’t arbitrary rules designed to make golf stuffy or intimidating – they’re time-tested guidelines that help everyone enjoy the game more fully.
Starting Your Round Right
The first tee sets the tone for your entire round, and proper tee box etiquette establishes you as a considerate golfer from the very beginning. Arriving at your tee time is the foundation of good golf etiquette. Being late doesn’t just affect you – it can throw off the entire day’s schedule for the golf course and create delays that ripple through every group behind you.
Plan to arrive at the course at least 30 minutes before your tee time. This gives you time to check in, warm up, and be ready to play when your time comes. If you’re running late due to circumstances beyond your control, call the pro shop immediately to let them know. Most courses will try to accommodate you if they have advance notice, but showing up 10 minutes late without warning is inconsiderate to everyone involved.
The honor system on the first tee is traditionally determined by handicap, with the lowest handicap player teeing off first. However, many casual groups simply decide among themselves or use a random method like flipping a tee. What matters most is that everyone agrees on the order before anyone hits.
Once the teeing order is established, maintain it throughout the round unless the group decides to play “ready golf” to speed up pace. The player with the lowest score on the previous hole has the honor on the next tee. In case of ties, the player who had the honor on the previous tee retains it.
Silence during others’ shots is perhaps the most fundamental rule of golf etiquette. When someone is preparing to hit or is in their swing, everyone else should be quiet and still. This means no talking, no practice swings, no rattling of clubs or tees, and no movement in the player’s peripheral vision. The concentration required for golf is intense, and even small distractions can significantly affect performance.
Position yourself appropriately when others are hitting. Stand where you can see the shot but are not in the player’s line of sight or directly behind them. Generally, this means standing to the side and slightly behind the person hitting. Never stand directly in front of someone who is hitting, even if you’re well out of range – it’s distracting and potentially dangerous.
Be ready to play when it’s your turn. This means having your club selected, your ball teed up, and your pre-shot routine ready to begin as soon as the previous player has finished and moved away from the tee. Waiting until it’s your turn to start thinking about club selection or to begin looking for your ball is a sure way to slow down the group.
Keep your practice swings to a minimum and take them in an appropriate location. One or two practice swings are usually sufficient, and they should be taken to the side of the tee box, not directly behind the ball where they might damage the tee area. Some golfers take so many practice swings that they’re tired before they actually hit the ball.
Keeping the Game Moving
Pace of play is perhaps the most critical aspect of golf etiquette, and it’s where many golfers unknowingly create problems for themselves and others. A round of golf should take approximately four hours for a foursome, though this can vary depending on course conditions, difficulty, and the skill level of the players.
The key to good pace of play is being ready to hit when it’s your turn. This preparation begins while others are playing their shots. Use the time while others are hitting to assess your lie, select your club, determine yardage, and plan your shot. By the time it’s your turn to play, you should be ready to step up and execute.
Walking or riding efficiently between shots is crucial for maintaining pace. If you’re walking, move at a brisk pace between shots. If you’re riding in a cart, follow cart path rules and position the cart so you can quickly access your clubs and continue to the next shot. Don’t drive the cart to one player’s ball, wait for them to hit, then drive to the other player’s ball – this wastes valuable time.
The “ready golf” concept has become increasingly popular as a way to speed up play without sacrificing the traditional honor system. Ready golf means that the player who is ready to hit goes ahead and plays, regardless of who technically has the honor. This is particularly useful on par-3s where everyone is hitting from the same tee, or when one player is significantly delayed in getting ready.
Lost ball procedures can significantly slow down pace of play if not handled properly. The rules allow five minutes to search for a lost ball, but in the interest of pace of play, many golfers limit their search to two or three minutes. If you think your ball might be lost or out of bounds, play a provisional ball to save time. This allows you to continue play without having to return to the tee if your original ball isn’t found.
Be aware of the group behind you and let them play through if you’re holding them up. If the group behind you is consistently waiting for you to clear before they can hit, and there’s a gap between your group and the group ahead of you, it’s courteous to invite the faster group to play through. This is especially important if there’s a significant skill difference between the groups.
When playing through, do so efficiently and courteously. Thank the group that’s letting you through, play quickly, and don’t hold up their play any more than necessary. Once you’ve played through, maintain an appropriate pace so you don’t create the same problem with the next group ahead.
Respecting the Most Delicate Areas
The area around the green requires special attention to etiquette because it’s where the course is most delicate and where small inconsiderations can have the biggest impact on other players’ experiences. The putting green is the most carefully maintained part of any golf course, and it deserves special respect and care.
Never walk across another player’s putting line. The line between a player’s ball and the hole is sacred territory in golf. Walking on this line can leave footprints or create small depressions that can affect the roll of the ball. Always walk around putting lines, even if it means taking a longer route to your ball or the flagstick.
Repairing ball marks is not just good etiquette – it’s essential for course maintenance. When your ball lands on the green, it often creates a small depression called a ball mark. Use a ball mark repair tool or a tee to gently lift the depressed area back to surface level, then smooth it with your putter. A properly repaired ball mark will heal within 24 hours, while an unrepaired mark can take weeks to recover and may leave a permanent scar.
The general rule is to repair your own ball mark plus one other that you find on the green. This helps ensure that the greens remain smooth and true for everyone. Some golfers make it a habit to repair several ball marks on each green, which is greatly appreciated by course maintenance staff and fellow golfers.
Flagstick etiquette has evolved with recent rule changes, but courtesy remains important. Players can now leave the flagstick in while putting, but if someone requests that it be removed, honor that request. When tending the flagstick for another player, hold it firmly to prevent it from rattling in the wind, and remove it promptly once the ball is struck.
When removing the flagstick, place it gently on the green where it won’t interfere with anyone’s line or be in the way of foot traffic. Don’t drop it or throw it, as this can damage the green. Replace the flagstick carefully when everyone has finished putting, ensuring it’s straight and properly seated in the hole.
Be mindful of where you place your golf bag or cart around the green. Keep them off the putting surface and away from the next tee to avoid interfering with other groups. Many courses have designated areas for bags and carts near each green – use these when available.
Being the Golfer Others Want to Play With
Golf etiquette isn’t about being stuffy or overly formal – it’s about being considerate, respectful, and helping everyone enjoy their round. When you follow proper etiquette, you’re contributing to the positive atmosphere that makes golf special and ensuring that the traditions of the game continue for future generations.
The golfers who are most welcome on any course are those who understand that golf is as much about how you conduct yourself as it is about how well you play. You don’t need to be a scratch golfer to be a great playing partner, but you do need to be someone who respects the game, the course, and your fellow players.
Remember that golf etiquette is learned through experience and observation. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re unsure about proper protocol in a particular situation. Most golfers are happy to help newcomers learn the ropes, and showing that you care about doing things correctly is always appreciated.
The next time you’re on the course, pay attention to how your actions affect others and how you can contribute to everyone’s enjoyment of the round. Good etiquette becomes second nature with practice, and once it does, you’ll find that you enjoy the game even more because you’re playing it the way it was meant to be played.
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Happy Gilmore 2: Back on the Tee, But Does It Swing?
Adam Sandler swings back into hilarious chaos with “Happy Gilmore 2,” packed with outrageous comedy, wild cameos, and plenty of nostalgic fun

Hey there, golfers and movie buffs! Ty Webb here, back with my impeccable swing and my even better taste in cinema. Today, we’re teeing up “Happy Gilmore 2,” the long-awaited sequel to Adam Sandler’s beloved golf comedy. But is it a hole-in-one, or does it hook hard into the trees?
Right off the tee, it’s clear “Happy Gilmore 2” knows exactly who it’s playing for. Adam Sandler returns as our favorite hockey-player-turned-golfer, now battling middle-aged stiffness, overly enthusiastic influencers, and a golf industry that’s somehow gotten even wilder. Reviews have generally agreed—while the film isn’t exactly Oscar bait, it delivers exactly what fans expect: plenty of laughs, outlandish scenarios, and a nostalgic nod to the original.

One of the best parts? The cameos. Oh boy, the cameos. There’s Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), still smug, still hilarious, and still can’t putt to save his life. Then you’ve got appearances from Tiger Woods, Bill Murray (whose comedic timing remains impeccable), and even a surprise drop-in from none other than Bob Barker’s hologram, ready for round two against Happy.
The story itself is as outrageous as you’d hope. Happy gets drawn back into the competitive golf scene by a ridiculous yet irresistible premise: saving his beloved grandma’s retirement home again, now threatened by—you guessed it—a sinister corporate developer played delightfully over-the-top by Will Ferrell. The jokes land like a bucket of range balls, frequent and sometimes wildly off-target, yet somehow, that’s exactly why it works.

Critics agree the film isn’t about nuanced storytelling or thoughtful character development. It’s about watching Happy unleash his signature wind-up drive (still absurdly effective), laughably bad putting technique, and seeing Sandler gleefully poke fun at modern golf culture. Whether he’s navigating influencer-driven golf apparel or battling robotic caddies gone rogue, Happy’s misadventures remain true to his lovable, chaotic spirit.
In short, “Happy Gilmore 2” isn’t trying to win awards. It’s here for laughs, nostalgia, and to remind us that sometimes golf isn’t meant to be taken too seriously. So, grab your popcorn, practice your running swing, and prepare yourself for another ridiculous round with Happy. Just remember, the price is wrong if you don’t have a good time.
Catch you on the fairway (and at the movies), my friends!
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