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.
Chris Kirk Fires Bogey-Free 63 to Lead in Mexico
Kirk leads Nick Dunlap and Zac Blair by one at El Cardonal while he fights to stay inside the FedExCup Fall top 100.
Faldo’s Ponta do Pargo Drives Madeira Interest at IGTM 2026
Madeira’s delegation held more than 200 trade meetings in Cannes, double its total in Malaga in May, as a clifftop Sir Nick Faldo design on…
Elevate Golf 2026 Celebrates Record Success in Northern Ireland and Scotland
A 230-supplier edition, more than 9,400 business meetings in St Andrews and an award for the woman who brought The Open back to Royal Portrush.…
Francesco Laporta Fires 62 to Lead by Three
The Italian came to Yas Links 57th in the rankings and outside the Dubai cut. A bogey-free 62 has him three clear of Jon Rahm,…
Fuller, Heath & Zeng Share Aramco China Championship Lead
Two Englishwomen and a Chinese CLPGA player are tied on 8-under at Mission Hills, with amateur Yujie Liu a shot behind.
Yamashita Shares First-Round Lead in Bid for Back-to-Back Wins
Fresh from defending her Maybank title, Miyu Yamashita opened with a bogey-free 66 to sit alongside Aki Iwai and Sayaka Takahashi.
Nelly Korda Clinches 2026 Rolex Player of the Year With Three Events Remaining
The award takes Korda’s LPGA Hall of Fame tally to 26 points. She is one short of induction, with The ANNIKA and the CME Group…
Verdura Resort Hosts Golf for Autism Weekend for Young Golfers
Eighteen children and young people from across Italy head to Sicily this month for four coached sessions designed to test how golf is taught to…
SYNLawn UK Completes Golf Installations at The Grove, Turnberry, Aphrodite Hills and Basingstoke
Synthetic turf now sits behind every tee on Trump’s Twelve, across TaylorMade’s fitting base at The Grove and along a Cyprus academy range that needs…
Championship Links, Grand Hotels and Capital Nights. Northern Ireland has it all in abundance.
Four days in Northern Ireland playing four very different golf courses, including a look at Portstewart’s newly upgraded Strand. From Galgorm Castle’s thermal spa village…
Andrew Novak Wins by Five for First Individual PGA Tour Title
A bogey at the 10th cut his lead to three, before birdies at the 12th, 13th and 14th settled it.
Darren Fichardt Eagles Final Hole to Win Simmons Bank Championship
The 51-year-old South African rookie birdied the 17th and holed a 10-foot eagle putt on the last to beat Zach Johnson by one.
Jean Hugo Fires Course-Record 62 to Win Portugal Legends Championship
Five straight birdies and an eagle at the 11th carried the South African clear of Greg Owen and Johan Edfors at Pinheirinho.
Miyu Yamashita Holds Off Yan Liu to Defend Maybank Championship Title
The Japanese star closed with a 68 in Kuala Lumpur for her third LPGA win of 2026.
Casandra Alexander Wins Wistron Ladies Open and Seals LET Order of Merit
A bogey-free closing 64 at Sunrise gave the South African a three-shot win over Hannah Screen and an unassailable lead at the top of the…
Andrew Novak Follows 61 With 62 to Lead by Six
A bogey-free Saturday at Vidanta Vallarta sets 54-hole records for the event.
Darren Fichardt Takes One-Stroke Lead at Simmons Bank Championship
The South African rookie went out in 28 at Pleasant Valley on his way to a bogey-free 61. Zach Johnson, chasing a seventh win of…
Paul Lawrie Takes One-Shot Lead into Final Round of Portugal Legends Championship
The 1999 Open champion goes bogey-free at Pinheirinho, with season winners Johan Edfors and Jean Hugo one behind and set to join him in Sunday’s…
Defending Champion Miyu Yamashita Keeps Two-Shot Lead at LPGA Malaysia
Yan Liu’s 63, capped by a hole-out eagle from 100 metres, and a steady Pauline Roussin-Bouchard set up a Sunday chase in Kuala Lumpur.
Huang Leads With One Round Remaining
Ching Huang’s 7-under 65 in strong wind at Sunrise took her from a share of seventh to the top of the leaderboard.