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.
Daniel Hillier & Marco Penge Share British Masters Lead Before Marathon Sunday
The co-leaders face 30 holes at The Belfry, with Tom McKibbin one shot behind and several challengers still close after a weather-disrupted week.
Casandra Alexander Takes Three-Shot Lead Into Women’s Irish Open Final Round
The LET Order of Merit leader survived a rain delay at The K Club, while Sara Kouskova, Kajsa Arwefjall and Leona Maguire strengthened the Sunday…
Mikael Lundberg Defies Storm to Take Control at Chart Hills
A bogey-free 65 carried the Swede three shots clear of Stephen Gallacher, while Lee Westwood’s challenge faded over a punishing closing stretch.
Marco Penge Takes One-Shot British Masters Lead Into Third Round
The Englishman completed a second-round 65 on Saturday morning to reach 10-under, with former champion Daniel Hillier leading the pursuit at The Belfry.
Miyu Yamashita Takes Share of TPC Boston Lead Days After Record Win
The Japanese star remained at the top of an LPGA leaderboard after her nine-shot victory in Canada, while Allisen Corpuz and Hyo Joo Kim moved…
Vaughn Taylor Opens With 63 to Lead The Ally Challenge
The PGA TourChampions rookie birdied his final four holes at Warwick Hills, setting a personal scoring best and moving one stroke clear of John Rollins.
Ryan Gerard & Viktor Hovland Share Tour Championship Lead at East Lake
Gerard and Hovland reached 10-under at the halfway stage, but Collin Morikawa, Chris Gotterup, Cameron Young and Scottie Scheffler remain within two shots.
Stephen Gallacher Takes Two-Shot Lead at Staysure English Legends
The Scot opened with a bogey-free 65 at Chart Hills, while Lee Westwood and Mikael Lundberg emerged as his nearest challengers in Kent.
Casandra Alexander Takes Five-Shot Lead Into Women’s Irish Open Weekend
The South African followed her opening course record with a six-under 66, reaching 15-under.
Marco Penge Storms Into British Masters Lead After 32-Hole Marathon
The Englishman reached 11-under at The Belfry before another lengthy weather delay halted play, leaving the second round far behind schedule.
Loch Lomond Whiskies Raises £14,230 for The R&A Foundation
Golf fans bought 1,423 Golden Tickets across The Open and AIG Women’s Open, with a rare 50-year-old single malt awarded to a winner from Liverpool.
Sei Young Kim Shoots Record 64 to Lead FM Championship
Kim needed only 24 putts at TPC Boston, while Miyu Yamashita followed her victory in Canada with a birdie-filled 65 to share second place.
Min Woo Lee Matches Career-Best 62 to Lead TOUR Championship Debut
A subtle equipment change helped Lee rediscover his best golf at East Lake, where he leads by two shots after a low-scoring opening round.
Casandra Alexander Shoots Course-Record 63 to Lead Women’s Irish Open by Four
The LET Order of Merit leader made nine birdies in wet conditions at The K Club.
Tom McKibbin Leads Weather-Hit British Masters Opener at The Belfry
The Northern Irishman reached 5-under through 13 holes before storms halted play for a third time.
2026 TOUR Championship Preview: Scheffler Leads a Level Start at East Lake
The FedExCup finale gives all 30 qualifiers an equal starting score, leaving four rounds to decide who claims the trophy and its $10 million prize.
Clutch Pro Tour Sets £50,000 Slaley Hall Finale With Double Points
The Tour Championship will give eligible players one last opportunity to climb the Tier 1 standings and press their claims for HotelPlanner Tour promotion.
Angela Stanford Completes 2026 US Solheim Cup Team With Captain’s Picks
Lindy Duncan will make her event debut in the Netherlands, while Megan Khang and Rose Zhang return with strong records in American colours.
Michael La Sasso Becomes Youngest LIV Golf Winner as Legion XIII Retains Team Title
The 22-year-old rookie birdied the final hole to beat Jon Rahm by one shot, while Rahm’s Legion XIII completed a second consecutive title-winning season.
Miyu Yamashita Matches LPGA 72-Hole Record in Wire-to-Wire CPKC Women’s Open Win
The Japanese star finished on 23-under 257 at Royal Mayfair, breaking the Canadian championship record after leading from the opening round.