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.
Andrew Novak Matches Tournament Record 61 to Lead by Three
An eagle at the drivable 13th and three birdies in his last four holes put Novak clear of his old Zurich Classic partner Ben Griffin…
Zach Johnson Leads Simmons Bank Championship After Bogey-Free 64
The six-time winner is one clear of Henrik Stenson in Little Rock. A seventh title would equal the PGA Tour Champions rookie record.
Drummond’s Nine Straight Birdies Earn Share of Lead at Portugal Legends Championship
Scott Drummond’s record-equalling run from the 6th to the 14th at Pinheirinho puts him alongside Paul Lawrie and Jean Hugo after the first round in…
Defending Champion Miyu Yamashita Leads Maybank Championship After Two Rounds
A bogey-free 66 puts the world No. 4 two clear in Kuala Lumpur.
Shih Leads at Halfway Stage at Sunrise
The inaugural Wistron champion adds a second 66 to lead on 12-under in Chinese Taipei.
Karl Vilips Fires Career-Low 62 to Lead Mexico Open
Two birdie streaks and 10 birdies in all gave the Australian his first 18-hole lead on Tour at Vidanta Vallarta.
Basingstoke Golf Club Launches New Website Ahead of 2027 Home Internationals
The redeveloped Hampshire club now handles tee times, membership and 1907 Academy coaching in one place, and its new site will be the information hub…
Robinswood General Manager ‘Pro It’ Wins AGIF Young Leaders Award
Seehachet Saifon swapped a Golf Channel producer’s chair for the general manager’s office at Reignwood’s Bangkok club in 2020.
Pauline Roussin-Bouchard Leads Maybank Championship After Closing Birdie Burst
The Frenchwoman, still chasing a first LPGA title, signed for a bogey-free 64 in Kuala Lumpur.
Casandra Alexander Eagles the Last to Lead Wistron Ladies Open
The LET Order of Merit leader shrugged off a stiff back on the range to card a bogey-free 64 at Sunrise.
La Hacienda Links Named Highest New Entry in Golf World’s Top 100 Continental European Resorts
The 36-hole San Roque resort has landed at No.17, with the new five-star Fairmont hotel doing much of the heavy lifting.
Recep Turan Wins Balkan Senior Tour Final as Dalaman Golf Club Makes Its Tournament Debut
Less than two months after opening, Türkiye’s newest course hosted the Race to Dalaman finale, crowning four season champions and giving visiting golfers a first…
Aphrodite Hills Resort Introduces Robotic Mowing in Cyprus First
Nine battery-powered Husqvarna robots are now cutting PGA National Cyprus, steered by satellite boundaries, with the greenkeeping team freed for detailed course preparation.
Tróia Golf Restoration Nears Completion Ahead of Spring 2027 Reopening
RTJ II has rebuilt every green and bunker on Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s 1980 layout, aiming to tie it back into the dunes
Rory McIlroy Confirmed for 2027 Hero Dubai Desert Classic as He Chases Record Fifth Title
The back-to-back Masters champion returns to Emirates Golf Club in January.
Austin Smotherman Wins Butterfield Bermuda Championship in Monday Playoff
Three trips to Port Royal’s par-3 16th settled a wind-shortened, 54-hole event.
Race to Dubai Top Five All Confirmed for Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship
Eugenio Chacarra arrives at Yas Links chasing a Spanish lineage that runs through Seve Ballesteros and Jon Rahm.
Salgados Golf Club Launches On-Course Drone Delivery Service
Golfers at the Troon-managed Algarve club can now order food and drink through an AI concierge on WhatsApp and have it flown to them on…
Madeira Golf Passport Rebrands at IGTM Ahead of Ponta do Pargo Opening
A new logo and a ‘Play. Discover. Connect.’ motto front a wider pitch for the islands, aimed at UK, German, Nordic and French golfers.
Rory Sabbatini Cards 62 to Win Stifel Charity Classic for First PGA Tour Champions Title
Four shots back after 36 holes, the 50-year-old rookie played his last six holes in 6 under at Norwood Hills to edge Darren Clarke.