Written by Simon Bale
Simon Bale is the publisher of Golf Today. A low single-figure handicap golfer, he was previously a major shareholder and course reviewer for Top100GolfCourses.com for over a decade, starting in 2010. Through this role, he developed extensive knowledge of golf course design and architecture while playing more than 300 courses worldwide.
Simon is also the founder of Media Drive, a leading digital golf marketing agency which he successfully directed from 2008 to 2024.
As a lifelong student of the game, Simon takes an analytical approach to both equipment technology and swing mechanics—insights sharpened by two years working in a pro shop under the guidance of experienced professional Rae Sargent, alongside 15 years in equipment marketing. His deep understanding of the elite and professional game is further reinforced by his role as the father of elite-level Surrey county player Henry Bale, and by the strategic partnerships he forged with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour (DPWT) throughout his career at Media Drive.
He has now turned his full attention to covering all aspects of the sport for Golf Today, regularly attending tour events and visiting global golf destinations to deliver authentic, first-hand reviews and original imagery.
Edoardo Molinari Sets Course Record to Lead Italian Open at Home Club
The 45-year-old birdied four of his last five holes to post an eight-under 63 at Circolo Golf Torino, a course he has played thousands of…
De Bock and O’Keefe Fight Through to Women’s Amateur Quarter-Finals at Muirfield
Belgium’s Savannah De Bock rallied from four down, while top-ranked Farah O’Keefe scraped past 16-year-old Lauren Crump on a brutal day at the 123rd Women’s…
LIV Golf Cites Niemann, Kim and Puig as Evidence Its Pathways System Is Working
Nine events into the 2026 season, LIV Golf pointed to major championship exemptions, a career-best US Open finish, and a comeback victory as proof that…
Jordan Spieth Tests L.A.B. VZN.1i Putter at Travelers Championship
The three-time major champion brought a black L.A.B. Golf mallet into Wednesday’s pro-am at TPC River Highlands, a sharp departure from the blade putters that…
Farah O’Keefe Survives Extra Hole as Defending Champion Martín Sampedro Exits Women’s Amateur at Muirfield
World number three O’Keefe fought back from one down after 17 to beat fellow American Kacey Ly, while Canada’s Ann-Sophie Bourgault stunned the defending champion…
Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton Set for Genesis Scottish Open After Settling DP World Tour Fines
Both LIV Golf players have committed to Scotland’s national open after clearing their DP World Tour disputes, with Rahm’s settlement opening a path that also…
Scottie Scheffler Backs PGA Tour’s 2028 Reset to Bigger Fields and Cuts
The world No. 1 called the return to 120-player fields and traditional cuts “a good change,” saying smaller fields were not a “huge fan favourite”…
Francesco Molinari Named Europe Vice-Captain for 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor
The former Open champion will serve in the role for a third consecutive Ryder Cup, joining brother Edoardo on Luke Donald’s backroom staff as Europe…
Dustin Johnson Enters Open Final Qualifying at Dundonald Links After Making All Three Major Cuts in 2026
The 2016 Open champion and former world No. 1 must come through a 36-hole shoot-out at Dundonald Links on 30 June to reach Royal Birkdale,…
Ben Lomond Names Solstice Sling as Official Serve of The Open for Royal Birkdale
Glasgow bartender Branford Edgar wins the third annual Serve of The Open competition. His summer-inspired cocktail will be poured across multiple venues during the 154th…
2026 Travelers Championship Preview: Scheffler, Clark, Bradley and Fleetwood Lead a Stacked Field Into the Season’s Final Signature Event
The PGA TOUR’s last Signature Event of 2026 brings nine of the top 10 in the FedExCup standings to TPC River Highlands, just days after…
Caddy Clubhouse Launches App to Standardise and Certify Caddying Worldwide
Three tour caddies with 26 professional victories between them have launched a platform offering bookings, payments, certification and career pathways for caddies globally.
Lily Hirst Leads Women’s Amateur Qualifying as Match Play Begins at Muirfield
England’s Lily Hirst fired a second-round 66 to top stroke-play qualifying at the 123rd Women’s Amateur Championship, finishing one clear of a talented chasing pack…
Final Qualifying Draws Released for The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale
The R&A has published the draws for Final Qualifying on 30 June, when 288 golfers will compete across four venues for 20 places at Royal…
Verdura Resort launches Simon Holmes Academy in Sicily
The Sicilian resort adds a serious coaching asset, with a veteran instructor who has worked with more than 80 Tour players.
PGA Tour Announces Two-Tier Championship and Challenger Series for 2028
The PGA Tour will split into two concurrent competition tracks with promotion, relegation, $20 million purses and a revamped postseason that could feature match play.…
How the Official World Golf Ranking Works: OWGR Points, Field Rating and Time Decay Explained
The OWGR system is built on field rating, finishing position, and a two-year rolling average. Here’s how the mechanics actually work, from Strokes Gained to…
Yamashita Wins Meijer LPGA Classic After Woad’s Three-Foot Miss Forces Playoff
Miyu Yamashita erased a five-shot deficit with a final-round 64 and beat Lottie Woad on the first extra hole at Blythefield Country Club after the…
U.S. Open Runner-Up Sam Burns Expected to Skip Royal Birkdale for Birth of Second Child
Fresh off the best major finish of his career at Shinnecock Hills, Burns looks set to miss the 154th Open Championship as he and wife…
2029 U.S. Open Confirmed for Pinehurst No. 2, June 14-17
Pinehurst’s Donald Ross masterpiece will host its fifth U.S. Open in 2029 and stage back-to-back men’s and women’s championships for the second time, cementing the…