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.
Wiesberger & Hollick Share Lead at the BMW International Open as Sunday Start Moved Forward
A nine-time DP World Tour winner and a 39-year-old rookie sit together at 13 under after a windy Moving Day in Munich, with an early…
The 156th Open Championship Heads to Royal Lytham & St Annes in August 2028
The R&A has moved The Open two weeks later than usual to avoid clashing with the Los Angeles Olympics. Here’s what fans need to know…
Laguna Phuket Launches Stay and Play Golf Packages With Real-Time Online Booking
Laguna Phuket has bundled accommodation at two resort hotels with rounds at its par-71 course, letting golfers book room types and tee times in a…
Justin Rose Skips 2026 Genesis Scottish Open After Five Straight Appearances
The former champion will not play the links warm-up at The Renaissance Club but remains exempt into The Open at Royal Birkdale the following week.
Basingstoke Golf Club Selected to Host 2027 Girls’ and Boys’ Home Internationals
The Hampshire club’s £20 million redevelopment earns it hosting rights for one of junior golf’s most prestigious team events, just weeks after its new course…
George McNeill Opens Two-Shot Lead at U.S. Senior Open After Low Round of the Week
The 50-year-old PGA Tour Champions rookie arrived at Scioto hoping to make the cut in his first US Senior Open. He leaves Friday with a…
Lucas Glover Takes Two-Shot Lead Into Weekend at John Deere Classic
The 46-year-old posted a bogey-free 65 to reach 14-under 128, his career-best 36-hole score in 582 PGA Tour starts, with his exemption status on the…
Hennie du Plessis Grabs Halfway Lead at BMW International Open With Final-Hole Eagle
The South African turned a patient second round into a one-shot advantage at Golfclub München Eichenried.
Pin Vision Launches Pace of Play Feature to Help Clubs and Golfers Tackle Slow Rounds
GPS app adds real-time pace monitoring, direct messaging between players and staff, and live cart-location tracking at partner venues.
Stewart Cink & Charlie Wi Share US Senior Open Lead After Opening 67s at Scioto
Cink rallied with five back-nine birdies in 95-degree heat as he chases a third straight senior major, while Wi’s five consecutive birdies tied the second-longest…
Lucas Glover & Zac Blair Share John Deere Classic Lead After Opening 63s
Both co-leaders entered the week outside the top 100 in the FedExCup, adding urgency to their bogey-free rounds at TPC Deere Run as the PGA…
Schaper and Du Plessis Share BMW International Open Lead After Opening 64s
South African duo Jayden Schaper and Hennie du Plessis posted matching bogey-free rounds at Golfclub München Eichenried.
Alessandro Tadini Wins Landmark AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am as Ian Woosnam Visits Costa Navarino
Italian PGA professional Alessandro Tadini claimed a record-equalling third title at the 20th-anniversary edition of the AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am, where 1991 Masters champion Ian Woosnam…
Aphrodite Hills Resort Launches Summer Programme With New Golf Academy and Team Cup Return
The Cyprus resort combines a new TRACKMAN-equipped golf academy, the return of its European amateur Team Cup, football camps with Premier League legends and an…
Adidas Launches CODECHAOS 27 Spikeless Golf Shoe With New AXISLOCK Midsole Technology
The latest iteration of the CODECHAOS franchise introduces a new stability system, an updated TWISTGRIP outsole and pricing from $160.
Tommy Fleetwood Mural Unveiled in Southport Ahead of The 154th Open
Scottsdale Golf has commissioned a 50m-by-20m tribute to Southport’s own Tommy Fleetwood ahead of Open Championship week.
Toptracer Adds Royal Birkdale to Virtual Golf Portfolio, Launches Global Challenge Ahead of The 154th Open
Golfers can now play Royal Birkdale virtually, with a closest-to-the-pin challenge on the venue’s new par-3 15th running during Open championship week.
Madeira to Host Faldo Junior Tour and Autumn Events Across All Three Courses
The Portuguese archipelago will stage professional, amateur and junior tournaments from September to October 2026.
Viktor Hovland Wins Travelers Championship in Monday Playoff
A 7-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole gave Hovland his eighth victory.
Haeran Ryu Overcomes Record Deficit to Win 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for First Major Title
Ryu sat T70 after an opening 73, ten shots off the lead. Four days later she lifted the trophy at Hazeltine, completing the largest first-round…