Golf

DALLAS – November 10, 2026 -- Topgolf is lowering gameplay rates by an average of more than 20% across all 100+ U.S. venues, effective immediately. The company says it is a permanent change to its pricing structure, not a limited-time promotion, and no code is required.

Guests said cost keeps them from coming back

Over six months, Topgolf surveyed thousands of guests, analyzed social conversations and held in-person interviews at venues. In the survey, 78% of respondents named social connection as a key reason they visit, and 72% named the food, drinks and service. High cost was the number one reason guests gave for not returning more often.

CEO David McKillips joined Topgolf in February and spent his first 100 days visiting its U.S. venues. He heard the same theme throughout: guests rate the experience highly, but the prices were too high. "The cost of fun just got more affordable," he said.

Olathe, Kan. – October 06, 2026 -- Garmin has launched the Approach S72, a new flagship golf smartwatch priced starting at $799.99, combining swing analytics with everyday health tracking.

The watch reads greens and tracks swing mechanics

Available in 43mm and 47mm sizes with AMOLED displays, the Approach S72 adds on-wrist swing metrics including hand speed, backswing length and wrist rotation, letting golfers adjust technique based on data rather than feel. With an active Garmin Golf Membership, the watch also offers green reading on select courses, showing putt break direction and average slope percentage to help golfers find their aim point.

Real-time heart rate ties biometrics to scoring

The device records real-time heart rate during rounds, allowing players to review afterward how their heart rate may have influenced their score. Garmin notes this feature is not intended for medical diagnosis or monitoring.

Costa Mesa, Calif. – October 01, 2026 -- BenQ has launched two new projectors built specifically for golf simulators, the AK900ST priced at $5,999 and the AK800ST priced at $3,999, both set to go on sale later this month through BenQ.com and authorized resellers.

True 4K resolution aims to capture every blade of grass

Both models deliver native 4K UHD resolution with up to 6,000 ANSI lumens and 97% Rec. 709 color coverage, four times the pixel count of 1080p projectors. BenQ says this level of detail is necessary because golf simulator images are largely static, making imperfections in grass, sand, and shadow far more noticeable than in fast-moving film scenes. A built-in Golf Mode 2.0 uses frame-based AI processing to adjust color, contrast, and detail specifically for simulated courses.

Walnut Creek, Calif. – September 15, 2026 -- Future Golf has launched its multi-course golf membership platform in the U.S., starting in California, giving golfers a single app-based membership to access a growing network of courses.

One membership unlocks dozens of golf courses across five states

The platform will expand to approximately 60 participating golf courses across California, Nevada, Texas, Arizona, and Florida as the rollout continues. Members get one app covering course access, handicap tracking, scoring, performance tools, event access, and member benefits.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING -- June 2, 2026 -- Japanese golfer Kota Kaneko has claimed the title at the Austrian Alpine Open 2026, held at the Golfplatz Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith in Tyrol, Austria, walking away with a prize purse of $467,500 at the DP World Tour's first-ever stop in Kitzbühel -- and walking into the hearts of 32,000 fans who witnessed four extraordinary days of world-class golf set against one of Europe's most breathtaking alpine backdrops. The event proved more than just a competition: it was a landmark moment for golf tourism in the Alps, a showcase for Austrian talent, and a powerful reminder of why sport and stunning scenery are a combination that never gets old.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 17, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Dec. 17, 2024 – The 2024 BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club proved to be a resounding success both on and off the course. The Western Golf Association announced today that the tournament raised a record-breaking $10.2 million for the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full tuition and housing college scholarships to deserving young caddies.

A Legacy of Giving

This remarkable contribution marks the largest single donation in the history of the BMW Championship, further solidifying its commitment to supporting educational opportunities for youth caddies. Since partnering with the Evans Scholars Foundation in 2007, the BMW Championship has raised over $60 million, helping to send more than 3,600 caddies to college.