
Elise Hartley
Head of Golf Analytics and Performance Tracking
Specializing in utilizing advanced metrics to improve swing mechanics and course management strategies for professional golfers.
Gear That Wins: Spin, Shafts, and Ball Choice for Firm Fast Courses
Let’s start with a confession. For years, we believed spin was bad. We thought we should get rid of it.Low-spin drivers, stiff shafts, and hard golf balls were all the rage. It was a race to make the ball fly as straight as possible.But then, the Tour pros made a surprising move. They started using…
Inside the Loop: Caddie Notes, Club Selections, and Tendencies
Forget what you think about the person carrying the golf bag. They’re not just a porter. They’re a strategic advisor with skills like a cartographer, meteorologist, and tactician.While we use rangefinders, the top caddie has already figured out the wind, the lie, and the history. Their tool is not just a laser. It’s their life…
Path to the Championship: Amateur & Regional Qualifying Guide
Understanding the golf qualifying calendar is not easy. It’s like solving a Rubik’s Cube while riding a unicycle. It tests your strategy, foresight, and a bit of control.The path to golf’s biggest events is a global chess game. The Open Qualifying Series, for example, is a 15-event challenge across 13 countries. A player’s whole year…
Characteristics of Desert-Style Holes
Imagine standing on a tee box that looks like a scene from Mad Max. Welcome to desert golf, where fairways are wide and hazards are everywhere but green.These courses are truly the desert. Sandy soil doesn’t care about your divots, and dunes look like frozen waves. The look is rugged, raw, and stunning.What makes these…
Importance of the 1st Hole
Walking up to the first tee is like starting a job interview when you’re hungover. Your hands sweat, your confidence shakes, and everyone’s watching. The opening hole is more than just golf—it’s a battle of nerves.I’ve seen many golfers fall apart on their first shot. Adults turn into fountains of disappointment as their balls sink…
Design Challenges of Bunker-Heavy Holes
Golf course architects are like the sadists of sports. They create these sandy nightmares as their masterpiece. I’ve seen more sand than a beach volleyball player at the Olympics. These bunker holes are not just hazards. They’re a form of psychological warfare.Why do some holes have more sand than a Saudi desert? It’s not just…
