Enough with the slice shots.

1 Piece of news:

In a seriously surprising twist at The American Express, 20-year-old college kid Nick Dunlap just did what no amateur has managed since 1991—beat the pros at their own game. With an opening round of 64 and a final score of -27, Dunlap left seasoned players like Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, and world number 1 Scottie Scheffler scratching their heads.

The funny part? Dunlap can't even cash his check! (First prize went to second place, second prize to third place, and so on..) But who needs cash when you've got an invite to Augusta, a free pass on the PGA Tour until 2026, and probably a loooot of sponsorship offers arriving that same Sunday. Dunlap's victory is not just a win; it's a punchline to the pros who probably never saw this amateur wrecking ball coming. Here's to the underdog, the college kid, and the end of a 30-year dry spell for the amateurs. Golf just got a whole lot more interesting.

1 piece of advice:

Enough with the slice shots.

I know we all dream of hitting a beautiful and controlled shot with a bit of fade toward the flag, but let’s face it, you're not going pro anytime soon. So, remove those slice shots ASAP.

For us weekend warriors, aiming for a fade, or worse, unintentionally ending up with a slice, is not the ideal scenario. You see, a fade covers less distance than a draw, and a slice falls short compared to a hook. Given the level at which we play, losing yardage is something we just can't afford.

Improve your performance with off-the-tee shots, and don't stress too much about saving strokes on the green. Take a look at Scottie Scheffler, sitting pretty at world number 1. He might be a putting whiz at 114th in SG: Putting, but he's 16th in SG: Off The Tee. Smack those drives like you mean it—it can make all the difference.

So, at your next golf lesson, cut to the chase and make fixing that slice your top ask. Let that driver fly and aim for the longest shots in the bag.

1 Golf Course:

We continue with the trend: Courses from South America and now we introduce to you: Club del Lago at Punta del Este, city in Uruguay.

Along one of the edges of Laguna del Sauce, the golf course of Club del Lago unfolds its 18 holes amidst the tranquility of the natural forest. Dubbed the "Augusta of South America" by Master De Vicenzo, it features undulating topography, fairways winding through conifers, and intriguing dog legs.

After a great round of golf at this awesome club, you can head out to enjoy Punta del Este. It's got great restaurants, beaches, and nightlife. A perfect way to wrap up the day and a perfect destination for your next golf trip (You have many other courses there that we will cover later on).

1 piece of equipment:

While this isn't directly about specific gear, I want to emphasize the significance of the fitting process when acquiring new and customized clubs tailored to your swing. The importance of this cannot be overlooked. Too many amateurs use incorrect clubs, shafts, wedges, lofts, bounces, fairway woods, and even drivers. During the fitting, the Trackman machine, using a billion sensors, meticulously assesses your club speed, club angle, swing path, swing speed, and more, so that together with precise analysis, you'll walk away with the right clubs, resulting in more accurate and longer shots.

So, what's holding you back? Head over to your nearest club and make it happen. Some places even reimburse you if you decide to purchase the clubs. Therefore, if you're due for an equipment upgrade, it only makes sense to go through with it.