From TheEditor
Bill Cromwell, Editor-in-Chief TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE™ Magazine
TGIS Arrives
Good news: March has arrived, so it’ s time to ditch the snow shovels, dust the cobwebs off the clubs, and prepare to head to the first tee. Wow, it seems like this year started with never-ending cold weather, keeping golfers indoors and courses closed. It’ s time to kick the cold winter to the curb and celebrate TGIS( Thank God It’ s Spring) month! Yep, daylight saving time begins March 9, St. Paddy’ s Day is on the 17th when many courses will host fun tournaments, and best of all, the spring equinox is March 20, which means more daylight hours for playing more golf— Hooray and TGIS!
Moreover, the newest golf clubs also hit store shelves this time of year, a highlight for all golfers, so golf equipment writer Eddie Hall is back this month to highlight a few of the top new drivers for 2025 on page 10. Typically, the new driver hype focuses on more distance and tech for hitting the ball straighter— it’ s what all golfers want. Hall explains that manufacturers realize this and continue to develop new manufacturing designs to increase driver performance and forgiveness. This year’ s drivers are all about ultra-lightweight designs, allowing golfers to hit the ball straighter and farther. Today’ s drivers( and all clubs) are becoming the most forgiving ever made.
Of course, we all want to hit the“ Sweet Spot” on the clubface every time, but now, with the newest drivers, if you tend to strike the ball on the toe or heel of the club, chances are the ball will still land in the fairway, plus you’ ll achieve ample distance. Of course, AI tech was used for better aerodynamics research, along with carbon wrap or seamless thermoform crowns to optimize the newest design features, allowing golfers more distance and straighter shots. Now, if they can just figure out a club design that improves my swing. That could be coming in 2026.
Remember, you can have the best equipment known to man, but you still must have a good golf swing to hit the ball straight and far. Seeking lessons or a professional club fitting could be a good idea before shopping for new clubs off the rack or the internet— just say’ n.
Meanwhile, you could visit an indoor simulator and work the cobwebs out of your swing before hitting the first tee shot of the season. These businesses are certainly gaining popularity. Over the last few years, they have popped up all over the KC area. Simulator software will evaluate your swing, including launch angles, spin rates, shot dispersion, and distances with different clubs, among other good or bad swing flaws. Want to test your skills on a golf simulator? Golf writer Ron Underwood gives us some insight into the simulator business on page 21. A few golf simulator business locations around the KC area, Lake of the Ozarks, Branson, and Springfield are also listed. Some have fullservice bars; others do not. Go have fun this year on a simulator— they are good options for working the cobwebs out.
Lastly, March is a great month to get a jump on planning your spring and summer Golf Trail Getaways. Have something wonderful to look forward to this spring and summer( check out page 26). There, you learn how to save money and time by booking your golf packages with a Golf Trail lodging partner. You pick the courses, and your chosen lodging property will book all your tee times for one appealing package rate. It’ s that simple!
Spring is near, so clean or replace last year’ s grips, buy a dozen new golf balls, and prepare to hit the links.
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6 March 2025 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE