I don’t know what it is, but I’m fascinated by putters and their wide range of creators.  I have a Scotty Cameron that’s been in my bag for over 10 years.  I’m comfortable with it, though it doesn’t always work. What putter does?

I’m not one to experiment with putters, either,  but I do  like to look at what’s out there, and this year’s PGA Merchandise Show provided some interesting things to ponder. I’ve picked three pieces of putting gear that stood out.

One was a training tool that could be taken on the course.  It was created by a guy who came to the show to visit, not exhibit. He’d done that before.  But he found a good ear for listening – mine!

Another was a small rangefinder – for putting. Who needs a range-finder for that?  Certainly not me, but I could be wrong.  We’ll see

And then there was the putter that got the most attention at the show, which drew somewhere between 35,000 and 43,000 industry members depending on who was making the estimations. That putter is adjustable, and it got a lot of eyeballs.  The International Network of Golf conducted a pre-show vote of over 30 new products and the top five were invited to a new special event – the ING Showcase of New Products. This adjustable putter was in the thick of it.

NOW FOR the specifics:

The putter from the guy off the street was the most visual. New Jersey resident Jack Paster has spent  “years’’  designing the Perfect Putt 2.  The Perfect Putt I was just “the conception.’’

“Primarily it’s a training tool,’’ said Paster.  “The USGA allows nothing, but this could be used on the course.  Anyway, it makes you change your setup and then you can take that to the course.’’

Perfect Putt 2 consists of a small box with optics  that snaps on to the putter.

“It’s not a mirrored device, but you capture your target.  You know just where you’re aiming,’’ said Paster.  “But it’s up to you to read the right line.  You’re assured the face of your putter is aligned to the target. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback.’’

Perfect Putt 2 is priced at $59.99.  It might work,  who knows? Might be worth a try.

NEXT UP is the Mileseey IONME2, a pocket-sized rangefinder designed for putting accuracy.  It was created in China but produced in City of Industry, CA., by Mileseey Technology (US) Inc.

Who needs a range-finder on the green?  I asked Noah Harrington, a veteran caddie about that. Like me, he feels putting is more of a “feel’’ thing.

“But a lot of golfers want the numbers,’’ said Harrington.

Well, what about the old theory about visualizing that circle around the cup?

Harrington didn’t think that approach would go away any time soon  but believes this unique rangefinder, priced at $399, would catch the fancy of enough golfers to make it a worthwhile investment. Mileseey also has a full-course rangefinder on the market for $599.

FINALLY, there’s the RightSize Putter, created by  Joel Farmer of Go for it Golf of Palmyra, PA. This putter, which caught the attention of International Network of Golf panelists,  is adjustable – actually VERY adjustable.  It can range in length from 17 to 35 inches, comes in three colors and is available for both right- and left-handed players.

The company calls it “a gift to last a lifetime’’ but it is targeted for players between the ages of 2 and 12. Length can be altered by two retractable shafts and the longest version includes an extension piece.  Introductory price is $40.

OTHER products in the ING Showcase were lowercase golf bag, by lowercase golf; Stix Jack Nicklaus Brand, Stix Golf; Swing Suit, LitFit Golf; and Uforia, AVGAR Sport. The Showcase was well-received by both media members and presenting companies.

“Members of the media gained early access to innovative products launched at this year’s show,’’ said ING founder Mike Jamison, “and the presenting companies were able to showcase their products to multiple members of the media simultaneously.  It was a win-win for all who attended.’’

HEATHROW, Florida – Concert Golf Partners describes itself as “a boutique club hospitality company. ‘’

It builds its own capital to fund new projects and add amenities. Also, pointed out vice president  of public relations Michael Abramowitz, “we never give an assessment.’’

That formula has worked since Peter Nanula and Susan Dunnavant left Arnold Palmer Golf to start their own company. Nanula remains the chief executive officer and Dunnavant the chief operations officer.  They wanted to acquire 10 private courses at first.  Now they have 37 with No. 38 soon to be announced.

This is the story of their first one, near the company headquarters in Lake Mary, FL.  It actually started as two clubs in 2011.  Heathrow Country Club and The Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes are just a mile apart.  Now they are one – Heathrow Legacy Country Club.

Heathrow has an 18-hole course designed by veteran Florida architect Ron Garl. Legacy has a tricky layout designed by Tom Fazio. In between is a tennis center that once was a stop on the Association of Tennis Professionals Tour. Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras and Billie Jean King all competed there.

The two clubs were purchased in 2011 and were operated separately for 10 years. Now they are one. Legacy may be the more challenging course but the late Payne Stewart was one of the first touring pros affiliated with with Heathrow and Jim Thorpe, a long-time PGA Tour regular, has been a member for nearly 20 years.  Annika Sorenstam’s junior invitational has also been played there.

Legacy had the most memorable golf event there, however.  Tiger Woods was just a budding star in 2001 when he was recruited to do a commercial for Buick there.  Woods, along with camera crews, hid in the woods behind the par-3 12^th hole.  When a foursome came to the tee Woods walked out and challenged them to a hole-in-one contest.  No surprise, he was the closest to the hole, hitting a lefthanded 7-iron  to 10 feet.  The commercial became famous and Woods’ path through to the tee has been dubbed the “Tiger Trail.’’

Shawn McGuigan was the Legacy’s head professional then.  Now he is the assistant general manager and director of golf for both facilities.  He’s especially proud of the Top Tracer range that has become a special attraction and the first in Central Florida.

Concert is growing fast.  It added six new clubs in just over a year and brought in four in 2024 alone.

Those six were The Club at Pasadera in Monterey, Calif.; TPC Jasna Polana, in Princeton, N.J.; Golf Club of the Everglades, in Naples, FL.; The Georgia Club, near Athens, Ga.; and Walden on Lake Conroe and Northgate, both near Houston.

“We’re not going out and saying we want to buy 100 clubs,’’ said Abramowitz.  “We have a criteria, but we certainly want to grow.’’

Heathrow Legacy has 2,100 members, but size isn’t the only criteria to determine acquisition.

“Every acquisition we poll members and see what their biggest desires are, ‘’ said McGuigan.  “In every acquisition we send our professionals there to make sure the transition is perfect.  Lately we’ve been trying to pair clubs together.’’

When a club faces a crisis it’s Concert that takes care of it, not the club members via what can be annoying assessments.  West Lake, in Augusta, Ga., for instance, endured the brunt of Hurricane Helene.  The storm knocked down over, 1,100 trees, but nine holes reopened in just two weeks and all 18 a few weeks later.

All the clubs in the Concert portfolio are private. They’re sprinkled across the country. Eighteen states have Concert clubs with Florida leading the way with nine.

Dunnavant describes “The Concert Way’’  as an innovative, multi-step program that facilitates smooth transitions for both club members and the previous ownership.

“Concert makes annual capital investments in our clubs aimed at elevating the amenities, service levels and overall member experience while building and maintaining a thriving club environment,’’ she said.

MYAKKA CITY, Florida – Not all great golfers have evolved into great golf course designers.  Nick Price is one who did, as underscored by his just unveiled Soleta course, located a few miles east of Sarasota, FL.

As a golfer Price, now 67, was one of the great ones.  No doubt about that.

He was the No. 1 player in the Official World Golf Rankings for 43 weeks in the 1990s, a decade in which he topped the PGA Tour money list twice, won the PGA Championship twice and the British Open once and took back-to-back Western Open titles in 1993 and 1994.

Oh, yes.  The South African-born Price was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003. Enough said about his playing ability, though his heyday was three decades ago.

Price found his way into course design, but it took a while.

“I started with architecture toward the end of my career but didn’t want to do anything,’’ he said.  “You don’t want to when you’re playing well.’’

Four years into his career on PGA Tour Champions that changed.

“I developed a serious elbow injury and had surgery,’’ he said.  “When I came back after a year I couldn’t play, so I retired.’’

And a career in course design kicked in.  He did 11 co-designs with established architects like Tom Fazio and Steve Smyers before creating his own course.  He started his own design firm in 2001 and has has his name on 27 courses (as either designer or consultant)  in the Dominican Republic, Ireland, South Africa, Mexico and China in addition to Florida. He lives in Hobe Sound, which is also the site of McArthur Golf Club – a layout he co-designed with Fazio.

Soleto is something different. The name is from the Native American word for sandhill crane.  It’ll eventually be a full-fledged family-oriented private club with about 275 local members and another 100 national ones.  At least that’s the plan. On the December day when Soleto officially opened Soleto already  had 170 members. Initiation fee is $115,000.

What makes the course special are its meandering (Price calls it “free-standing”) tee areas.  They’re as long as 120 yards with eight sets of color-coded markers on each tee.  (Only three were designated for play on opening day).

The tee areas aren’t of the runway style at more courses.  The Soleto tees are spread around; some even have doglegs.

“I want the members to understand the versatility of the course and enjoy its variety,’’ said Price. “I’ve played on all four corners of the world and have gotten to see a lot of different types of golf.  This one is more links-style but I want them to keep in mind that they don’t have to play from a certain spot.’’

Soleto was built on what had been a cow pasture. About 2,000 trees were moved in the construction process.  Water comes into play on only two holes (Nos. 11 and 16) and the scorecard says the layout can be played as short as 5,145 yards or as long at 7,411 yards – with plenty of options in between. The No. 8 green is 65 yards long.

Also most noteworthy is the liberal use of sugar sand, a white variety indigenous to the area. It’s all over the layout and creates all sorts of challenges.  In short, you have to make contact with the ball first. If your clubs hit the sugar sand first no telling where the ball might go.

The course is a par-72 with the 598-yard fifth the longest par-5.  The par-3 seventh is the most picturesque hole and seems the most fitting as the signature hole. The Fish Camp behind the fifth green and sixth tee box is located near the Myakka River and will be used for special events.  No. 17 provides the always popular driveable par-4, measuring between 236 and 333 yards.

Price made 22 trips to Soleto from the start to the completion of construction about a year later.

“There were times you had to be here a lot,’’ he said. “That what makes a golf course playable.’’

Soleto is going to be much more than a special golf course.  It’ll have a new clubhouse, 93 homesites (but in view from only two holes) and racquet sports facilities.

Price isn’t the only popular  golf personality involved in the project.  David Leadbetter, the famed instructor, designed the 30-acre practice facility that will open soon.  It has the latest in TopTracer technology, with four cameras covering all 16 hitting bays on the range.  There’ll also be a chipping green, a putting course and a par-3 course to be called the Colt (the name for a small crane).  The short course will have six greens and nine tee boxes.

Caitlin Clark may be a basketball whiz, but she is making inroads in golf, too.

In July, 2023, Clark made her first golf appearance playing in the pro-am at the John Deere Classic, the PGA Tour stop at TPC Deere Run – a course located near the boarderline of Illinois and Iowa.  Now, on Nov. 13, she’ll be the featured at the pro-am warmup for The Annika, the last event of the Ladies PGA Tour’s regular season at Pelican Golf Club in Bellair, FL.

This is a big deal, as Clark’s popularity has been clearly evident via social media – and not just with basketball fans.

Barry Cronin, the veteran media relations director of the John Deere Classic, believes that Clark’s pro-am round at the John Deere, was the start of something big. She played nine holes with Zach Johnson, then the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, and the other nine with Ludvig Aberg, an up-and-coming PGA Tour star from Sweden.

“That pro-am was the first taste of her super stardom to come,’’ recalled Cronin.  “She was on the (media interview) podium with Zach afterwards and most of the questions went to her. It was like she was the PGA Tour player.  Zach admitted that she was the star of the show that day.’’

Having grown up in DesMoines, Iowa,  and starring for the University of Iowa women’s basketball team, Clark already had a local following at that tournament.

“There were thousands, mostly young girls, wearing her No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes jersey around the course,’’ said Cronin. “She was disappointed in how she played, but clearly she was a competent golfer.’’

Things have changed since then.  Now more than basketball fans in Iowa know about Caitlin Clark.  Her play for the Indiana Fever gave the Women’s National Basketball Association a big boost,  and Clark has learned more about golf.  She’s even dabbled recently with with being a professional golfer in her offseason – perhaps jokingly, perhaps not.

Anyway, Clark’s appearance at the Pelican will boost a 72-hole tournament that is rapidly becoming among the most popular on the LPGA circuit.  She will be paired with tournament host Annika Sorenstam in the pro-am and their honorary caddies will be IndyCar drivers Colton Herta and Marcus Ericsson.

Sorenstam, a golfing legend, won’t meet Clark until tournament week, but she’s looking forward to it.

“What she has done is amazing for women’s basketball but also for women’s sports, young girls and women in general,’’ said Sorenstam.  “For her to come out here, it’s awesome that she plays golf.  She really has an interest.  It’s going to draw a lot of attention.’’

Golf-wise, The Annika is a significant event even without Clark.  Two-time champion and world No. 1 Nelly Korda will be there as will Lilia Vu, the defending champion and world’s No. 2-ranked player.  The field will be solid because of its dates.  The following week is the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, one of the biggest money events in women’s golf, at Tiburon in Naples, FL., and the traditional start of the 2025 season is also in the Sunshine State. The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Championship will be played Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 at Lake Nona, a club in which Sorenstam is a member.

Clark’s role will supplement — but not overwhelm –The Annika tournament.

“She’s an ambassador for women and sport,’’ said Sorenstam.  “She seems very athletic.  I’m sure she can do anything she puts her mind to. She played quite a bit of golf growing up, and I believe it’s one of her passions when she’s not on the court making three-pointers.’’

Sorenstam is sure Clark will be worth watching as a golfer, not just because she’s a special athlete.

“I’ve only seen her swing on social media,’’ said Sorenstam, “but I’m not so worried about her.  I don’t think she’s worried either.  She’s an athlete.  She’s used to big crowds. I’m sure she’ll shine, no matter what she does. She’s going to do awesome.’’

Sadly another member of the golfing Ten Broeck family has passed on.

Rick Ten Broeck died at 76 on Oct. 10 after suffering complications from Parkinson’s disearse and dementia.  His younger brother Lance was 67 when he died in April, 2023, in Florida. They were two of the eight children of Willis and Eleanor Ten Broeck, both long-time members of Chicago’s Beverly Country Club .

The Ten Broeck golf saga blossomed in 1968 when older brother Jim won the Illinois State Amateur at Prestwick, in Frankfort.  Rick finished second that day, with Lance serving as his caddie.

Jim also won the club championship as a junior member at Beverly, a South Side private club that is rich in golf history. Jim and Rick played college golf at Arizona State and Lance at Texas.  Rick and Lance outdid Jim  with their golf accompllishments in succeeding years.

Rick, the father of three children, lived in Evergreen Park at the time of his death.  His father Willis was a multiple winner of the Beverly club championship, but Rick won it a whopping 18 times. He also won two Illinois Opens – in 1973 at Barrington Hills during his brief fling in the professional ranks, and in 1981 at Bon Vivant, in Bourbonnais, as a reinstated amateur.  He was also an Illinois Amateur of the Year twice and the Chicago District Golf Association’s senior player-of-the-year in 2005 and 2006.

Lance carried the family name even further golf-wise.  Like Rick he starred in the sport at Brother Rice High School.  Lance’s first big splash on the national scene came at the 1975 U.S. Open at Medinah when – as a 19-year old amateur – he made the cut and tied for 49^th place. He was also an Illinois Open champion, winning at Flossmoor in 1984.

His subsequent stay in the professional ranks was a long one.  He played on the Nationwide, PGA and Champions tours and won the 1984 Magnolia Classic before it was an official PGA Tour event. (It’s now called the Sanderson Farms Championship).

Lance also was a successful caddie.  His Florida neighbor, Jesper Parnivik asked his to carry his bag in the 1999 Greater Greeensboro Open, and Parnevik won the title by two strokes over Jim Furyk. Lance continued to work as a caddie but could also get into some events as a player.  The most noteworthy of those was in the 2009 Valero Texas Open.

He was on Parnevik’s bag in that PGA Tour stop in the morning and then was told he could fill the spot of a player who had withdrawn in the afternoon.  He did it, and posted a score lower than Parnevik’s.

A celebration of Rick Ten Broeck’s life will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Oct. 27 at Beverly Country Club.

END IT

A month ago Nelly Korda was, arguably, the best story in golf.  She had won six tournaments in a stretch of seven events. Scotty Scheffler was playing great on the men’s side at that time, too, but not quite at Nelly’s pace.

So then what happened?

The next event was the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania.  Korda took a 10 on a hole in the first round, and it’s been downhill ever since.

She missed the cut in three straight tournaments, two of which were major championships.  She went home to Florida for some family time with her parents, tennis star brother Sebastian and sister Jessica – a former LPGA star – and her own family.

As Nelly prepared to return to tournament play she was bitten by a dog. That made headlines, too. These are indeed strange times for the best player in women’s golf.

Before teeing off in the Evian Championship in France Korda offered some thoughts on what suddenly happened to her game.

“I’d gone through every emotion possible – and it’s just July – on the golf course,’’ she said.  “I love this game.  I love the bad.  I love the good.  In sports, if you care so deeply about it you’re just going to go through the waves of the roller coaster.’’

She did managed to end the missed cut streak at the Evian last week but finished only in a tie for 26^th place.

“I was a little up and down,’’ she said.  “It was nice to finish birdie-eagle. Hopefully that’ll give me a nice boost into my next event, which is in three weeks.’’

And that next event is the Olympics in Paris, and she is the defending champion.

Korda is looking forward to another Olympic experience, although she won’t be able to share the time with sister Jessica, who has dropped off the LPGA Tour to concentrate on her own family duties. Nelly said it’s “sad’’ that Jessica won’t be with her this time.

“The game humbles you enough, and that’s something I learned a great deal recently,’’ she said.  “I’m really lucky to have the support system I have.  They’re the reason why I’m still here. I’m just super grateful they were in town and we got to hang out and take time for each other.’’

Now that the Evian is over Korda is taking another break. It’s not family time, though.  She’s going to see her best friend in Croatia.

“She’s getting married, but I’ll be missing her wedding for the Solheim Cup, so I’m going to see her and get back to grinding again,’’ said Korda.

The women’s golf competition at the Olympics is Aug. 7-10.  The Solheim Cup – the biggest team event in women’s golf – is Sept. 10-15 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.

Korda, just 25, remains No. 1 on the Rolex Rankings. This year she’s experienced all the good things and a most unexpected slump all in a span of seven months.

In a pro career that started in 2017 she has 14 tournament victories and earned nearly $12 million. That’s a solid career already, but Korda has a lot of great golf challenges ahead of her.  It’ll be intriguing to see how she responds.