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 longterm 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 golf course and 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.
Wyndham Clark Pulls Five Clear of Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay at BMW Championship
Clark recovered from an opening double bogey with a blistering eight-hole run, taking control at Bellerive as the battles for Atlanta and Presidents Cup places…
Continent of Europe Complete Double at The Island with Jacques Leglise and Junior Vagliano Wins
A seventh straight Jacques Leglise Trophy and a nail-biting one-point Junior Vagliano win gave the Continent of Europe two trophies in one afternoon at The…
Shaun Norris Makes Albatross to Take Two-Shot Lead in Scotland
A 267-yard 3-wood found the cup at Trump International Golf Links as Norris matched the course record with a third-round 66.
Miyu Yamashita Takes Five-Shot CPKC Women’s Open Lead
Rounds of 62 and 64 carried the Japanese player to 14 under at Royal Mayfair, while three players share second place entering the weekend.
Richard Green & Rob Labritz Share Rogers Charity Classic Lead After Opening 63s
Green finished with an eagle to join sponsor invite Labritz at seven under, while Miguel Angel Jiménez stayed one stroke behind at Canyon Meadows.
Wyndham Clark Takes One-Shot BMW Championship Lead After Consecutive 64s
Clark reached 12 under without a bogey at Bellerive, while Gary Woodland moved into East Lake contention with a closing pair of birdies.
Matthew Southgate Leads Wind-Hit Nexo Championship at Halfway
A late chip-in eagle lifted the English links specialist to four under, one shot clear after two demanding rounds at Trump International Golf Links.
Cabot Places Three Courses in Golf World’s Global Top-10
Lofoten Links, Point Hardy and Cabot Cliffs lead five Cabot properties recognised in a new ranking focused on distinctive settings, memorable holes and experiences beyond…
Galvin Green Unveils Second Instalment of The Lab Collection for Autumn 2026
Storm Blue leads the palette as the Swedish brand adds four new garments to its experimental franchise, including its stretchiest rain jacket to date and…
Miyu Yamashita Shoots Course-Record 62 to Lead CPKC Women’s Open
Yamashita needed only 25 putts during a bogey-free debut at Royal Mayfair.
Rory McIlroy Shares BMW Championship Lead After Rapid Recovery, Scottie Scheffler Slips Back
McIlroy responded to a difficult week in Memphis with a bogey-free 64 at Bellerive.
Marcus Kinhult Takes Two-Shot Nexo Lead as Amateur Eliot Baker Impresses
Kinhult relied on an outstanding short game for a five-under 67 in difficult Scottish conditions.
Lee Westwood Set for Staysure Legends Tour Debut at Chart Hills
The former World Number One will join Major champions, Ryder Cup figures and established Tour winners for three days of tournament golf in Kent.
Fescue & Dunes Renews Elevate Golf Premium Partnership for 2026
The e-commerce platform will use the invitation-only tourism event to build relationships with leading golf venues and expand its portfolio of branded course merchandise.
Northamptonshire County GC Proves Its Class as Host of the 2026 Carris Trophy
A final-hole eagle, a 196-strong volunteer army and one of the hottest Julys on record: how the Church Brampton club handled its first Carris Trophy…
Metric Golf Club Selects Zen Active Terrain Technology for New Harrogate Performance Centre
Two Zen Swing Stage 2 moving floors will integrate with Trackman iO at Metric Golf Club’s new Hornbeam Park facility, letting golfers practise from uphill,…
Preston Stout Wins McCormack Medal and 2027 Major Exemptions
The Oklahoma State standout reached the top of the world amateur ranking after five collegiate wins and a tied-15th finish on the PGA Tour.
How Bernardus Is Preparing a Natural Championship Test for the Solheim Cup
Firm fescue surfaces, careful water management and eight years of course development will shape the first Solheim Cup staged in the Netherlands.
Anne van Dam Names Europe’s 2026 PING Junior Solheim Cup Team
Spain supplies four players to a 12-girl European side drawn from six countries, with the junior match heading to Bernardus Golf in September.
Jack Whaley and Stuart Grehan Lead GB&I Walker Cup Team for Lahinch
Six players return from last year’s defeat at Cypress Point, while four debutants join Dean Robertson’s side for the September match against the United States.