What we'll cover this week

• Approach Play - Pin placement relevant?

• New Friends - You know your friends hate you when…

• Stupid Stuff - Don’t waste money on these 3 things.

Estimated read time: 7 minutes

This Week I Learned

Your success in 2025 is determined now.

Reflecting on my performance this season, I realized one thing made all the difference: winter training. Last year, I booked flat-rate sessions at a heated, roofed Toptracer range, and the constant presence of a trainer changed the game for me. I didn’t play more often, but the quality of my practice skyrocketed.

If you let golf hibernate all winter, how can you expect to perform better - or even as well - next season?

Useless golf videos we’ve watched this week, so you don’t have to:

15 = 168 minutes saved

Approach Play Mastery

Ever changed your approach shot because of that day’s pin placement? I really hope not, because that decision could be wrecking your approach play. Here’s why:

Video length: 7:53 (video starts at 3:14, and you only need about 90 seconds from there)

TL:DW

• Forget Pin Placement - Too many amateurs get caught up with the flag—front, middle, back, but honestly, it doesn’t matter. We’re not accurate enough for it to be worth the risk. The goal? Just get on the green and avoid disasters.

• Highest Percentage Club - Use the club with the highest percentage chance of hitting the green. For example, with the pin in the back, your 9 iron might land short 30% of the time, your 7 iron might overshoot 40%, but your 8 iron lands anywhere on the green 90% of the time. The choice is simple: take the 8 iron, no matter where the pin is.

• Know Your Distances - If you don’t know your exact distances with each club, you’re just guessing. Admittedly, I’m an Arccos fanboy, but seriously, finally get yourself some Arccos sensors (just pay shipping with this link).

• Rangefinder Aiming - Stop aiming directly at the flag just because your rangefinder locks onto it easily. Instead, aim for the center of the green and base your club selection on that yardage.

For a visual that makes it all click, check out the graphic at 3:37 in the video—it’s already burned into my memory.

The takeaway: Forget Pin Placement, just Reach the Green. We’re not Tour players, so play it safe and give yourself the best chance for a lower score.

Nope.

He even turned his back on the gator… Really, Captain Mike? Maybe it’s time to find some friends who’d at least offer you free relief instead of letting you play that shot. Holy...

Deals for the Feels

It’s a bit of a game of chicken out there—no one’s dropping prices just yet, but we’ve got some evergreens worth revisiting!

Free Arccos Sensors

• If you missed the link above, it really is worth repeating. Grab your Arccos sensors and pay only $219 for shipping (instead of the usual $219). Trust me, you need these to level up your game. I last posted this link five months ago, so if you didn’t jump on it then, here’s your reminder!

Current Ping Hoofer Stand Bags Discounted

• You know I’m a total bag nerd, and after testing over 30 models, I still swear by the Ping Hoofer. It's a course legend. Right now, you can score some current designs with solid discounts - not just the ugly patterns. The sleek black 5-way? $50 less!

Golf Pride 007 Special Edition Grips

• Golf Pride just dropped their 007 Goldfinger Special Edition grip range, and I have to admit, the design is pretty slick. If you’re a fan of Bond or just love sharp-looking grips, these are worth checking out.

* Please note: none of these are affiliate links. These are genuinely great finds that we recommend without compensation.

Stuff You Don’t Need

When I play with friends, they marvel at all the gear in my bag. I like to keep them guessing—maybe that’s why I’m so good… or maybe it’s why I suck. But here’s the thing: I can’t let you keep wasting money on stuff you don’t need.

Here are 3 things I regret spending money on:

1) Putting Mat
This might be controversial, but I’ve barely touched mine since buying it. It’s a pain to set up, takes forever to get going, and packing it up eats into half the time I should be practicing. Out of a 45-minute session, 20 minutes are spent setting up and breaking it down.
And honestly? Every person I know who owns one admits they rarely use it. When they do, it’s usually not for serious practice - and it ends up doing more harm than good for their putting.

2) Lake Balls
Sure, they’re a cheap way to stock up on balls, but they aren’t consistent. You’ll get a mix of soft and hard balls, which throws off your game. Instead of saving a few bucks, I switched to a DTC brand and ditched the lake balls for good. The consistency was a game-changer.

3) ProSendr (For Personal Use)
The ProSendr is AWESOME for improving your swing—but not “$170 awesome” if you’re only using it occasionally. You won’t need it long enough to justify the price because the mechanics are pretty intuitive. Instead, ask your local pro if they have one you can use for a small fee. Trust me, $10 for the occasional range session is a better deal.

I’ve got hundreds—maybe even thousands—of dollars sunk into training aids I barely use. If you want, I can keep this series going. But tell me—what stuff have you bought for golf that you totally regret? Just reply to this email, and I’ll feature the best (or worst) here to save others from the same fate.

P.S. Yeah, the irony of this section coming after the deals section wasn’t lost on me. 😉

Quick Bites for the Road

Quiz

If you liked this newsletter, refer it to a friend. If you hated it, send it to the ONE person you desperately want to beat (on the course).

Quiz answer

The winner of the British Open is known to celebrate with a "simple" serving of fish and chips, carrying on a long-standing, down-to-earth tradition. Of course, if by "down-to-earth" you mean fish and chips made with the finest ingredients and served at an exclusive country club.

Sincerely, your Magic Rabbit.

Leader through the rabbit hole. Just spent another few hundred on more stuff he doesn’t need.