The First Call 07-08-2025

FIRST THOUGHT

Are recreational golfers actually getting better? It appears so—at least among Shot Scope users. According to data compiled by Golf Monthly, the average score per round improved slightly, from 15.31 over par in 2019 to 14.97 over par in 2024. During the same period, the average handicap of users dropped from 14.6 to 13.9.

Other performance metrics improved as well:

Driving distance: Increased from 234.2 to 239.4 yards
Fairways hit: Rose from 34.8% to 35.1%
Greens in Regulation: Improved from 27.8% to 29.7%

Whether the gains come from better technique, improved technology, or both, the trend is encouraging.

POLL

> Who will win the 2025 Open Championship | Vote
> Previous: How should the year's final major be referred — British Open or Open Championship? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What are you looking forward to regarding the 2025 Open Championship?

Send replies on this question or other topics and questions you would like to have asked to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For a response to be published, you must include your first and last name, along with the city and state of residence.

> Last week's question: Would you like to see the PGA Tour Champions revamped? If so, how? | Read

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

RECENT DROPS

🎧 / ▶️ CONTENT CLUBHOUSE
Nick Dimengo: Finding the greener grass
Guest: Nick Dimengo, founder of Rainmakers Golf Club.
Listen / Watch | Archives

🎧 GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
The Big Easy: The story of a storied career
Guest: Ernie Els, a four-time major champion and Hall of Famer.
Listen | Archives

ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

SQAIRZ: Named "Best Performing Golf Shoe" by Sports Illustrated

The honor was awarded to the SPEED2™ LT—marking the second consecutive year SQAIRZ has earned top-tier recognition from the publication.

Folds of Honor: Academic scholarship presented in honor of two-time PGA TOUR winner Nick Dunlap

Receiving the inaugural Folds of Honor - Nick Dunlap Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year is Kylie Baldeosingh.

PAYNTR Golf: New retail partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy

PAYNTR Golf, the fastest-growing performance golf footwear brand in North America, is bringing the brand’s innovative line of golf shoes into stores for the first time.

Malcolm DeMille: John Deere Classic champion awarded signature trophy

Alongside the prestigious title, Brian Campbell was awarded a handcrafted trophy by Malcolm DeMille—an iconic piece that has become synonymous with the tournament’s legacy.

Troon: Selected to manage the Club at Crested Butte in Crested Butte, Colorado

Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon, will oversee club operations, agronomy, food & beverage, ski club, and membership sales and marketing.

Go RVing: Hole-in-One could win celebrities a $200K RV at the American Century Championship

The American Century Championship, the premier celebrity golf tournament held annually in Lake Tahoe, California, and Go RVing, the consumer-facing voice of the RV industry, are teaming up to offer a luxury RV to any celebrity who makes a hole-in-one on the fifth hole.

Marriott Golf: The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas offers premier golf villas with fairway views

Retreat with a golf package in the highly sought after villas, to enjoy a round of golf, panoramic views overlooking the 18th green and a robust array of curated experiences, elevated amenities, and a prime location worthy of your next golf trip.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Kipp Popert's 61 sets U.S. Adaptive Open scoring record
[Beth Ann Nichols | Golfweek | Read]

> Jordan Spieth to return at Open, says he has "no restrictions" following neck injury
[Christopher Powers | Golf Digest| Read]

> Confessions of a Long Island private club caddie
[James Colgan | Golf.com| Read]

#QOTD

"When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too."

— Paulo Coelho

ICYMI

Is the PGA Tour Champions in need of a reset?

The First Call readers offer their thoughts on how to improve or changed the Tour that started in 1980.

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

> Outside Services
Loblolly
Hobe Sound, Florida | Info

> Territory Sales Manager
Tour Edge Golf
Batavia, Illinois | Info

> Director of Golf
The Cliffs at Walnut Cove
Arden, North Carolina | Info

> The First Call Job Board
> Buffalo Groupe Job Openings

TFC EVENTS

The Friars Golf Club: Best of Spain

November 10-17, 2025 | Andalusia, Spain

CALENDAR

JULY
28-30: PGA Buying Summit, Frisco, Texas | Info

OCTOBER
6-7: Golf Business Network Instructing Summit, Palm Desert, California | Info
14-15: Golf Business TechCon 2025, Frisco, Texas | Info

> View complete calendar

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.