Fun Fact: In 2020 and 2021, the Par 3 Contest was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making its return in 2022 all the more cherished by players and fans alike.

Every April, as azaleas bloom and the eyes of the golf world turn to Augusta, one beloved tradition kicks off the festivities with charm, smiles, and a dose of superstition: The Masters Par 3 Contest.

Since its inception in 1960, the Par 3 Contest has been a lighthearted prelude to one of the most prestigious events in golf. Held the Wednesday before the first round of The Masters, this fan-favorite exhibition takes place on a 9-hole course nestled within the Augusta National grounds. Though its tone is far more relaxed than the main event, the Par 3 Contest is steeped in its own rich history and lore.

The idea was the brainchild of legendary Augusta National Chairman Clifford Roberts, who envisioned a more casual, fan-friendly event that would complement the seriousness of the tournament itself. The course, designed by George Cobb in collaboration with Roberts, features holes ranging from 70 to 140 yards, wrapping around a series of picturesque ponds and creeks.

What sets the contest apart is the joy. It’s not uncommon to see legends of the game handing off putters to their grandkids or teeing off with their children. Many players invite their families to serve as caddies, often clad in the iconic white Augusta jumpsuits. These moments create some of the week’s most heartwarming and viral images—tiny toddlers sinking putts, Hall of Famers laughing with their spouses, and multi-generational bonding that transcends the game itself.

Over the years, the Par 3 Contest has produced unforgettable highlights. In 2008, Gary Player, at 73 years old, aced the 7th hole. In 2015, Jack Nicklaus hit a hole-in-one at the age of 75—adding to a staggering total of over 100 aces recorded during the event’s history.

It’s also become an informal showcase of golf’s greatest legends. In many years past, you might see Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player—collectively known as the “Big Three”—sharing laughs and swinging side by side. Today, stars like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth keep the spirit alive, bringing their kids, friends, or even celebrities along for the ride.

Despite the fun, there’s one unspoken truth players know all too well: No winner of the Par 3 Contest has ever gone on to win The Masters in the same year.

Call it superstition or coincidence, but many contenders intentionally avoid trying too hard to win the Wednesday event. They’ll joke about laying up on par-3s or missing short putts on purpose. For those laser-focused on the green jacket, taking home the crystal trophy from Wednesday might feel like a kiss of death.

While it’s technically an exhibition, the Par 3 Contest captures something that often gets lost in elite competition: pure joy. It’s a chance for players to breathe, fans to connect, and Augusta National to showcase its softer side. In an event known for its rigid traditions and rules, this one feels like a sweet exhale before the storm.

Whether it’s a child’s first swing, a legend’s final walk, or a spontaneous hole-in-one, the Par 3 Contest continues to add magic to Masters week—reminding us all that golf, at its heart, is a game to be enjoyed.

The Masters Par 3 Contest might not crown a green jacket winner, but it wins hearts year after year. It’s living proof that in a sport built on precision and patience, there’s still plenty of room for fun, family, and a little bit of luck.

The Story of my unique friendship with Bernhard Langer.

Next week marks the end of an era—Bernhard Langer will tee it up at Augusta National for the final time. The two-time Masters champion has become a fixture at the tournament for decades, not just for his legendary discipline and longevity, but for the quiet impact he’s had on so many within the game. With his farewell on the horizon, we thought it was the perfect moment to revisit a personal story that highlights the side of Bernie most fans don’t get to see.

👉 Read on to learn how Bernhard Langer and I became unlikely friends in a moment that proved golf is about more than just scores and trophies.

I do not personally know any famous athletes. Yes, of course, I’ve had the opportunity for the quick handshake or photoshoot at an event or book signing but that is the extent of it.   There is however one exception, my friendship with Bernhard Langer, who just last week won his 46^th event on the Senior Tour and recorded the most wins ever on this tour, surpassing Hale Irwin, a record many thought, including myself,  would not be beaten just a few years ago.   Langer is a true golf legend and one of the greatest golfers in the history of the sport. That’s Undebatable!

As a golf enthusiast and owner of ClickitGolf, I’m happy to hang around with anyone who is a single-digit handicapper, yet alone a professional golfer, whether on the PGA, LPGA, Senior Tour, Korn Ferry and now of course the LIV Tour.  I love asking questions and learning about their day-to-day routines and everything associated with the game.

People always will ask me “How did you become such good friends with Langer?”. The answer is relatively simple.   Bernhard and I live in the same community in South Florida. With both of us living here for decades, I would always see him on the range but never had the courage to say hello;  I don’t know why, but I always figured he was preparing for an upcoming tournament and didn’t want to be “That  Annoying Guy”.  

One afternoon, he and I were hitting relatively close to each other on the range.  I walked over and said with a smirk on my face “I heard you are a good golfer, but I would love to play you in a different sport to see who is a better athlete?’  Pretty good opening line if you ask me and his response was classic.  

His comeback was “How about ping pong at my house later this afternoon?”  I didn’t know if he was kidding, or if this was a sincere offer.  A few minutes later, he gave me his address, cellphone # and said, “I’ll see you at 5 PM”. Although I used to play 30+ years ago in my NJ basement, I had not played in years. But, there was no way I was turning that offer down!

Like riding a bicycle, it came right back.  I remember our “first date”  like it was yesterday, it was on this random Friday when a mere game of ping pong started our friendship.  Many years later, I now consider Bernie one of my closest friends.   We played ping pong each week and during Covid, we were playing 4 to 5 days a week while he was not traveling and playing in events – we had a fun $5.00 trophy made and it would go back and forth to our houses depending on who won that day.    All of a sudden, I am playing a weekly pong match with a Masters champ and arguably a GOAT in the game of golf. In his trophy case, I made sure that this plastic $5 trophy was seated right next to his 2 Master’s Trophies!

Eventually, transitioning from ping pong to playing golf with him was definitely an out-of-body experience.   I’ve been fortunate to play many rounds with him since– Quite candidly, the first time we played, I was a nervous wreck (Let’s be honest – who wouldn’t be). That’s when it hit me…on the 1^st tee, I literally I couldn’t hold the club – I   just prayed that my tee shot went up in the air and relatively straight……. thankfully it did!   We now play a dollar a hole and only once in all these years have I beaten him (of course, he is giving me a ton of shots as he plays to a plus 5 when we play – so there’s that!).

More important than his golf, Langer is a better man than he is a golfer.  A true family man, very devoted to his faith,  humble, and a genuine friend.  I feel very fortunate to call him my friend and look forward to many years of ping pong, golf, and family time together.

Why Breaking 90 Feels Like the Mount Everest of Golf

If you’ve ever wrapped up a round with an 89 on the card, you know the rush. For amateur golfers, breaking 90 isn’t just a number—it’s a rite of passage. It means your hard work is paying off, your decisions are sharper, and you’re starting to play golf instead of just swinging a club.

But here’s the thing: most golfers try to improve the wrong way. They tinker with their swing for months, chase YouTube tips at midnight, and buy the latest tech gear hoping it’ll shave strokes. Sound familiar?

As someone who spent years flirting with that 90 barrier, I’m here to tell you: you don’t need a perfect swing—you need a better strategy. Let’s get into the golf improvement tips that actually work.

You won’t stripe every drive or stick every wedge. So stop expecting to. Golf is a game of misses. The trick is making your bad shots better.

Start by dropping the obsession with perfection. Accept the occasional duff or slice. Focus instead on smart decisions and simple, repeatable swings.

“Golf is not a game of perfect. It’s a game of recovery.” — Dr. Bob Rotella, sports psychologist

If you’re trying to shape every shot like you’re on Tour, stop. Pick one reliable shot shape—fade, draw, straight—and stick to it. If your natural shot is a fade, play for it.

The moment I embraced my push-fade as a feature, not a flaw, my scores improved. I stopped fighting my swing and started playing smarter.

Too many amateurs play from tees that are way too long. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Move up. Hit more greens. Have more fun. And yes—lower your score.

If you’re not getting to par 4s in two, or regularly hitting 3-woods into par 3s, it’s time to drop back to reality. You’ll thank yourself later.

Stuck in the trees? Don’t go for the 4-iron stinger through a two-foot gap. Punch out, get back in play, and take your medicine.

Par is great. Bogey is acceptable. Doubles are killers.

Got 210 yards into a narrow green with water short and right? Don’t be a hero. Hit it 150 and wedge it close. Most amateurs lose shots by trying to make up for a mistake with an even riskier shot. That never works.

Your scorecard rewards consistency, not courage.

You don’t need to hit bombs, but you need to keep it in play. Ditch the driver if it’s wild. I played a 5-wood for three months and dropped 7 strokes off my average.

From 100 yards and in, you need a club (or two) that you trust. Learn one shot—half swing, three-quarter, whatever—and own it.

Three-putting kills rounds. Focus on lag putting from long range and knocking in those nervy 4-footers. Spend twice as much time on putting as you do on full swings.

Don’t just hit balls at the range. Practice like you play:

• Hit different clubs in random order
• Play imaginary holes
• Make putting drills competitive
• Keep score

“Deliberate practice leads to deliberate improvement.” — Mark Blackburn, PGA Tour Coach

Use an app or simple scorecard notes to track:

• Fairways hit
• Greens in regulation
• Putts per hole
• Penalty strokes

You’ll quickly spot where you’re leaking strokes. That’s where the real work starts.

I used to obsess over my score on every hole. Now, I focus on one swing at a time. Breaking 90 isn’t about shooting a 39 on the front and holding on. It’s about stacking smart decisions, one shot at a time.

Breaking 90 isn’t about hitting perfect shots. It’s about making better decisions, avoiding big numbers, and playing within your game. These golf improvement tips aren’t magic—they’re practical, proven strategies that work for real golfers.

Try them on your next round, and don’t forget to celebrate the small wins—like finally keeping your tee shot in play on Hole 1.

Want more golf improvement tips like these?
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