RECORD BREAKING
2026 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show Breaks All-time Seminar Record While Attendance Exceeds 12,000
The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show celebrated the association’s 100 years of keeping the game on course with a successful return to Orlando Feb. 2-5. Attendance grew for the fourth year in a row, with 12,824 attendees (up 15% over 2025). A record-breaking 8,074 seminar seats were filled, exceeding the prior record set in 2008. In addition to education for superintendents, the event also included specialized education for assistant superintendents and equipment managers.
The trade show floor at the Orange County Convention Center featured 523 exhibitors (vs. 464 in 2025) and 178,600 square feet of exhibit space, an increase of 16% over 2025. The total trade show floor was 428,000 square feet and also included areas for education, GCSAA Services, GCSAA Store and the Centennial Experience, an exhibit that took attendees through 100 years of GCSAA history. GCSAA will turn 100 on Sept. 13.
NGF Short Game: Record Rounds Again, with 2K Fewer Courses
Rounds of golf played at U.S. courses climbed to another all-time high in 2025, extending one of the most sustained periods of elevated play the game has ever seen. For the sixth consecutive year, Americans played more than 500 million rounds nationally — a streak unmatched in golf history and further evidence the post-pandemic surge has proven more durable than some initially expected. Despite that constraint, play in 2025 edged past 2024’s previous high, marking the fourth record total in five years. Overall rounds were up just over 1% from 2024, with relatively stable public-course activity offset by a modest increase in private-facility play — enough to push the national total into record territory once again.
BUSINESS
Tri Axis Golf Aligners Introduces a Breakthrough Alignment Concept — Inviting Industry Feedback, Media Review, and Real-World Testing
Tri Axis Golf announced the introduction of a new alignment and aiming concept designed to give golfers clear, visible confirmation of how their clubface, stance, and aim relate to the intended target line. Long considered one of golf’s most misunderstood fundamentals, alignment and aiming have historically been a visual guessing game. Golfers often believe they are properly aligned, yet they may be aiming offline due to subtle misalignment of the clubface and body. Tri Axis Golf Alignersaim to change that — by making alignment immediately visible.
Protoconcept Golf RR Wedges Recognized with Golf Digest “Hot List” Award
PROTOCONCEPT GOLF has been recognized with a medal in the esteemed Golf Digest Hot List. The precision engineered RR Wedges earned the respective silver medal award. The RR Wedges received four stars for performance, 4.5 stars for innovation, and four stars to receive the Golf Digest silver medal. The Golf Digest Hot List presents a comprehensive range of golf clubs, accompanied by thorough technical evaluations from scientific experts and perspectives from amateur golfers across varying skill levels.
TGR Foundation Celebrates 20 Years of Impact Through Education at TGR Learning Lab in Anaheim
Today marks the 20th anniversary of TGR Foundation’s opening of its flagship TGR Learning Lab located in Anaheim, California. Born from the vision of Tiger Woods, founder of TGR Foundation, to create a safe space for students to learn, grow and chase after their dreams, the inaugural Learning Lab has served more than 200,000 students from Anaheim and surrounding Orange County communities. Today’s recognition of the TGR Learning Lab Anaheim is a highlight of Driving Dreams Together, a year-long celebration of TGR Foundation’s 30th anniversary.
PEOPLE
Matthew Harris Receives 2026 PGA of America Lifetime Achievement Award in Photojournalism
The PGA of America today named Matthew Harris as the 2026 recipient of the PGA of America Lifetime Achievement Award in Photojournalism. Harris and his distinguished career will be honored April 8 at the 52nd annual ISPS Handa GWAA Awards Dinner in Augusta, Georgia. Since 2020, the PGA of America has awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Photojournalism to recognize the vital role that photography plays in documenting the rich history of golf and to celebrate the individuals who have captured the game at the highest level.
Ahead Appoints Robert Koren as National Sales Manager for Canada
Ahead announces the appointment of Robert Koren as its new National Sales Manager for Canada. Koren brings more than two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and product management, having held senior leadership positions at PXG Canada and Under Armour Canada. He began his career with Wilson Golf Canada and Callaway Golf Canada. In his new role, Koren will oversee all Canadian sales operations, leveraging his extensive industry expertise to drive strategic growth and strengthen customer relationships.
Rory Mcilroy Makes 2026 PGA Tour Debut at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Headlining Live Coverage This Week on Golf Channel
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy is making his season debut on the PGA TOUR in defense of his 2025 title at Pebble Beach, where he defeated Shane Lowry by two strokes. This Signature Event has a field of 80 players, including McIlroy, Lowry and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, competing in a no-cut tournament over two courses for a $20 million purse. Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach will be used for the first two rounds, when tour pros will be joined by amateur partners such as Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Pau Gasol and former 49ers quarterbacks Steve Young and Alex Smith. Pebble Beach will be the sole venue on the weekend.
🎥 FEATURED VIDEO
Swing Tip: Jason Hong, PGA – Chip With a Hybrid for Greenside Shots
PGA Professional Jason Hong from Encinitas Ranch Golf Course shares an unconventional tip to help if you struggle around the greens. WATCH
The Right Time to Be Aggressive in Golf
When is the right time to go for it, and when should you play it safe? In this quick lesson, Brian Hughes, PGA Master Professional and Program Director at Keiser University College of Golf, shares how to think through aggressive vs. conservative play on the course. From club choice to course layout to player confidence, the smartest golfers know when to take a chance and when to hold back. This video walks you through the mental math of high-risk shots and why knowing your limits can actually improve your score. WATCH
A Deep Dive into the DF3i Insert
Players loved the performance of the DF3, but some wanted a firmer feel and more ball speed. We listened, and got to work on a new feel with our most successful putter. The result? A putter with the forgiveness DF3 is known for with a firmer, faster feel. WATCH