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The 7 juiciest U.S. Open storylines to follow at Los Angeles Country Club


LACC is hosting its first U.S. Open. Trust me, I have played there, it will be a real test. And that USGA rough will be crazy this year! Like you wont be able to see the color of your shoes crazy in some spots!
Let’s face it – The golf world has already been turned upside down this month, and there are undoubtedly more fireworks to come this week with the third men’s major of the year, the U.S. Open.
In the wake of last Tuesday’s shocking announcement by the PGA Tour that it is combining commercial operations with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (which funds LIV Golf) and DP World Tour, the best golfers in the world — including LIV’s finest — head to Hollywood for golf’s toughest test on a mostly unfamiliar venue in Los Angeles Country Club.
Storylines will abound this week, but here are seven of the best we’ll be closely following.
1. Pro golf’s future…ad nauseam

The U.S. Open is not run by either the PGA Tour or LIV Golf, but you can bet those two tours will be discussed at length this week. The Open will be the first gathering of players from both tours since the stunning deal was unveiled. Relations had somewhat normalized four weeks ago at the PGA Championship where Brooks Koepka became the first LIV Golf major champion. But no one — save for PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and their respective inner circles — could have foreseen the circumstances surrounding the game’s third major. The arrangement is not finalized and the US Senate has just opened an inquiry on the nature of the deal…so there are still many unknowns about what pro golf might actually look like next year. Expect many of the players who have yet to weigh in to be peppered with questions about it early in the week. Get your popcorn ready!
2. A different kind of U.S. Open venue

Now to the birdies and bogeys. Los Angeles Country Club will play host to its first-ever U.S. Open and its first PGA Tour event since the 1940 Los Angeles Open. Needless to say, LACC’s North course has changed a good bit in the past 73 years, especially since a 2010 Gil Hanse-led restoration of the George Thomas design. The club has typically been one of the more reclusive and exclusive in the country; until recently, the membership has been less reluctant to show off the course.
The course will still feature brutally long U.S. Open rough, but this will be Bermuda rough (a first at the U.S. Open since 2005) and there won’t be quite as much of it. Wide fairways will force pros to get strategic as they plot their way around. There are two par-3s that may play as long or longer than the par-4 6th. The U.S. Open is typically the hardest of the four majors — and that should still be the case this year — but just in a different way.
3. Can Phil Mickelson complete the Grand Slam?

Are we crazy for rating this the third-biggest storyline? Maybe. But Phil Mickelson made us all think twice about his major prospects when won the 2021 PGA Championship. Then LIV Golf happened and he put together a number of poor showings. But at Augusta in April, he redefined everybody’s expectations once again by rallying for a Sunday 64 and a T2 finish. He made the cut and finished back of the pack at the PGA Championship last month, but even as he celebrates his 53rd birthday Friday, is it that outrageous to think he could contend again? While I am sure there is some gas left in the tank, and he is a so cal guy, my money is on a missed cut. Sorry Phil, just gotta shoot ya straight. I hope I’m wrong, but this course is a different and unfamiliar beast.
4. When will Rory McIlroy win another major?

With the weight of his “PGA Tour spokesperson” role theoretically lifted, can McIlroy finally win a major after nine years? That’s right read that again – It’s been over 3,000 days and 35 Major chances without taking home the hardware. He shockingly missed the cut at the Masters after finishing in the top 10 in every major in 2022. At the PGA, he was solid but recorded a distant T7, seven strokes behind Brooks Koepka. He’s been near the lead in each of his last two PGA Tour starts only to fade out of contention on Sunday. Not only is he seeking to end his major drought, but he also has yet to win on the PGA Tour this season. McIlroy was in a similar position in 2022 before winning in Canada the week before the U.S. Open and later claiming the FedEx Cup. He finished T-9 last week at the RBC and will be paired with Keopka in the first 2 rounds of the U.S. Open this year – That is must-see TV
5. Who is No. 1?

McIlroy may have begun 2023 with the No. 1 ranking, but Jon Rahm quickly asserted himself as the world’s best golfer by winning four times, including the Masters. But after two wins, including the Players Championship, Scottie Scheffler enters the year’s third major as the World No. 1. Scheffler’s struggles on the greens have been well documented but his otherworldly ball-striking has carried him to a T2 at the PGA, and T3s in his last two starts on Tour (he finished a shot out of playoffs each time). Rahm, meanwhile, has been quieter since his Masters win but is no doubt still poised to collect a second U.S. Open title. Of course, neither player won the PGA Championship. That accolade went to Koepka, who also finished T2 at the Masters and is looking very much like his 2017-19 World No. 1 self. Koepka is built to win majors and this course sets up great for him – I like his chances to give it a run on Sunday.
6. California King Max Homa returns home

You may have heard Max Homa owns the LACC North course record. Then a senior at Cal, Homa fired a nine-under 61 in the opening round of the 2013 Pac-12 Championships. Fast-forward 10 years and Homa is now a six-time PGA Tour winner with all but two of them coming in his home state. But Homa has still yet to record a top-10 in a major championship. He will no doubt have his attention divided this week with all the friends and family around. But there’s no better opportunity for him to get in contention at a course he might know better than anyone else in the field. I love the chances of a Top-10 run and maybe even a chance to hoist a trophy come Sunday Evening.
7. Will an amateur contend?

The first two majors both thrilled fans with underdog stories. At the Masters, it was U.S. Amateur winner Sam Bennett who played his way into the final group Saturday and ultimately finished as low amateur with a T16. Last month’s PGA Championship saw club pro-Michael Block come from nowhere to hang around the lead all four days and eventually finish T15 and earn his way back to the tournament next year. While Bennett is playing his second tournament as a pro this week and Block just missed qualifying for his third U.S. Open, there are still 19 amateurs and plenty of other journeyman pros who could delight fans with a Cinderella story.
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Breaking 90: Real Golf Improvement Tips That Actually Work
Tired of hovering in the low 90s? You’re not alone. Here are real, proven golf improvement tips that will finally help you break 90—and do it consistently.

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.
Think Like a Golfer, Not a Swing Coach
Manage Expectations—Golf Isn’t About Perfect
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
Know Your “Go-To” Shot
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.
Play the Right Tee Box—Seriously
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.
Course Management—The Secret Weapon
Avoid the Hero Shot
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.
Know When to Lay Up
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.
The 3 Must-Have Skills to Break 90
1. A Reliable Tee Shot
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.
2. A Dependable Wedge Game
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.
3. No 3-Putts
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.
Practice With Purpose, Not Hope
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
Track Your Stats and Find the Leaks
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.
Mindset Shift—Focus on Process, Not Score
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?
Bookmark ClickItGolf.com and check back weekly for advice, gear guides, laughs, and insights to help you play better golf—without losing your mind.
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The Spirit of the Links
From Scotland’s Shores to North America’s Coasts explore golf’s historic roots.

Golf, a sport steeped in tradition and history, finds its roots deeply embedded in the sandy soils of Scotland’s links courses. These courses, characterized by their coastal settings, rolling dunes, and deep bunkers, offer a golfing experience that is both challenging and steeped in the game’s ancient traditions. This article explores the quintessential links courses of Scotland, including the renowned Kingsbarns, and compares them to their counterparts in North America, highlighting the differences that define and distinguish these iconic golf landscapes.
The Essence of Scottish Links
Scottish links courses are the original venues for the game of golf, with their history tracing back over several centuries. Kingsbarns, located near St. Andrews—the acknowledged ‘Home of Golf’—is a prime example. Though it was only opened in 2000, Kingsbarns has quickly become a jewel in the crown of Scottish golf. Designed by Kyle Phillips, the course captures the true spirit of links golf with its rugged coastline, natural bunkers, and undulating fairways that challenge even the most skilled golfers.
Links courses, by definition, are built on sandy land along coastlines. In Scotland, these courses are battered by the elements, with wind playing a significant role in the game, requiring golfers to exhibit not just skill but also creativity and adaptability. The courses are typically devoid of trees, using the natural landscape such as dunes and native grasses to define their boundaries.
North American Links
While true links courses are a product of their environment, several courses in North America seek to replicate the Scottish experience. Courses like Bandon Dunes in Oregon and Cabot Links in Nova Scotia are designed to mirror the natural, rugged elegance of Scottish links. Bandon Dunes, for example, sits atop a windswept bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Its natural vegetation, dune topography, and wind conditions are reminiscent of Scotland’s storied courses.
Cabot Links, on the other hand, is Canada’s first true links course, featuring panoramic views and a layout that adheres to the natural landscape. Like its Scottish inspirations, Cabot Links utilizes fescue grasses and minimizes artificial water hazards, relying on wind and natural land forms to challenge players.
Links vs. Regular Courses
The main difference between a links course and a regular golf course lies in their interaction with the natural environment. Traditional golf courses, often referred to as “parkland courses,” are usually more manicured and contain lush, tree-lined fairways, with defined rough and strategic water hazards. They are designed to be more sheltered from the wind, offering a different type of challenge compared to the open, exposed links courses.
Links courses embrace the raw, natural state of their coastal landscapes. The ground tends to be harder and the grass shorter, which affects ball behavior, encouraging a ground game where golfers must play more along the earth, using the contours of the land to their advantage.
The allure of links golf lies in its simplicity and its challenge—the game as it was originally played, against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty. Whether in Scotland or North America, these courses provide a profound connection to the elements, offering a pure golf experience that is as mentally challenging as it is physically.
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TGL, Skins, and the World Series of Golf—Oh My!
Explore golf’s thrilling new formats—from TGL’s digital arenas to high-stakes Skins and poker-inspired World Series of Golf, as Ty Webb humorously guides you through the game’s exciting evolution.

Hey there, fellow golfers, duffers, and sand-trap enthusiasts! Ty Webb here—ready to chat about a topic almost as intriguing as the mysterious forces that cause your golf balls to magnetically find water hazards. The game we love is changing faster than Judge Smails’ mood after a missed putt, and these new formats are shaking things up faster than my backswing (which, I’ll remind you, is flawless).
First up, we’ve got TGL—Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s brainchild. Imagine golf, but in a high-tech simulator arena, with live crowds and digital drama. It’s like playing a round inside a video game—minus the reset button. It’s fast, it’s futuristic, and it might just make traditionalists clutch their cardigan sweaters a little tighter. But hey, change can be good—like switching from a putter that doesn’t work to another putter that doesn’t work.
Then we’ve got the Skins Game, golf’s original “put your money where your mouth is” contest. It’s straightforward—win a hole, win some cash. Lose a hole, watch your buddy strut around like he’s just sunk a 90-footer at Augusta. The Skins format keeps the stakes high, the tension higher, and friendships on the line. It’s golf with bravado, swagger, and a bit of friendly financial risk—exactly how I like my weekends.
And finally, we have the World Series of Golf—imagine poker and golf decided to collaborate, and neither was sober at the time. Players bet on each hole, raising, folding, and bluffing their way through a round. It’s as much about strategy and psychological warfare as it is about hitting a decent tee shot. One moment you’re all-in, the next you’re questioning every life decision you’ve ever made. Classic golf, am I right?
So there you have it, friends. Golf isn’t just changing—it’s evolving, innovating, and occasionally terrifying the purists. But rest easy, because whether you’re in a virtual arena, sweating over Skins cash, or bluffing your way through the World Series of Golf, the spirit of the game remains: hit the ball, find the ball, repeat as necessary. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with destiny—and a very forgiving 9-iron.
Fore!
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