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.
How TurfRad Is Shaping The Els Club Vilamoura for the Portugal Invitational
Luís Pinto’s greenkeeping team is using detailed soil-moisture mapping and targeted irrigation to prepare Ernie Els’ Algarve course for a 78-player field and its first…
Peter Malnati Shoots Career-Low 61 to Lead Rocket Classic
Seven birdies on the front nine sent Malnati to the lowest opening-round score on the PGA Tour this season, two shots clear of Rickie Fowler…
Jeeno Thitikul Fires Bogey-Free 64 to Lead 2026 AIG Women’s Open
The world number two made seven birdies at Royal Lytham & St Annes, opening a two-shot advantage over Haeran Ryu and Shiho Kuwaki.
R&A Adds Digital Fan Tools and Broadcast Hours for AIG Women’s Open
Spectators can locate players around Royal Lytham, follow personalised recommendations and watch six additional hours across the opening two rounds.
Robinswood Membership Connects Bangkok Golfers With Reignwood’s Global Clubs
Three-time club champion Chaiyatat Ben Bunjapamai will represent Robinswood at Wentworth.
Galvin Green Launches Great Wide Open Golf Apparel Collection for 2026
The 2026 Part Two range combines new waterproof colourways, recycled insulation and nature-inspired prints across men’s and women’s garments.
Jackson Koivun Wins 3M Open in Third Pro Start, Holds Off Scottie Scheffler
The 21-year-old rookie closed with a bogey-free 66 at TPC Twin Cities, setting a tournament scoring record and resisting a final-round 63 from the world…
Lucas Herbert Sets LIV Scoring Record as Ripper GC Complete UK Sweep
Herbert closed with a bogey-free 62 to win by six shots at JCB Golf & Country Club, while the Australian Ripper GC secured its third…
Jerry Kelly Wins ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Gleneagles
The American held off Matt Gogel, Cameron Percy and Darren Fichardt to win by two shots on the King’s Course, securing the third senior major…
Jenny Shin Ends 10-Year Wait With Two-Shot Women’s Scottish Open Win
The Korean held on through a difficult final round at Dundonald Links to claim her second LPGA Tour title and first LET victory.
Jackson Koivun Takes Three-Shot 3M Open Lead After Record Back Nine
The 21-year-old PGA Tour rookie surged to 20-under with two eagles in a closing 28, leaving Emiliano Grillo and Ben Kohles as his nearest challengers.
Jerry Kelly & Cameron Percy Share 54-Hole Lead at Senior Open
Percy eagled Gleneagles’ closing hole to catch Kelly at 8-under, leaving the final pair three shots clear ahead of Sunday’s final round.
Jenny Shin Holds Five-Shot Lead Before Scottish Open Final Round
A one-under 71 kept Shin firmly in control at Dundonald Links, where Pajaree Anannarukarn produced Saturday’s only bogey-free round to remain her nearest challenger.
Michael Kim Shoots Historic 59 to Lead 3M Open by Three
Kim closed with four consecutive birdies and holed a 24-foot putt at the last, securing the 16th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history.
Jenny Shin Builds Five-Shot Lead at 2026 Women’s Scottish Open
The Korean followed her opening 66 with a five-under 67 at Dundonald Links, using sharp putting and 13 birdies across two rounds to separate herself…
Cameron Percy Takes Three-Shot Senior Open Lead Into Weekend
The Australian recovered from two early bogeys to shoot 68 on a demanding King’s Course, with Jerry Kelly his closest challenger after 36 holes.
Golf Pride’s New CP Grip Focuses on Soft Feel and Lighter Pressure
The latest model in the CP collection combines targeted traction, impact cushioning and a larger lower-hand profile.
Trump Doonbeg sets the stage for the 2026 Irish Open
A firsthand review of the spectacular Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg as it prepares to host the star-studded 2026 Amgen Irish Open. Simon Bale discovers…
Ben Kohles Fires First-Round 62 to Lead 3M Open, Scheffler Three Back
A closing eagle gave Kohles a career-low round and his first outright lead after 18 holes in an individual PGA Tour event.
Jenny Shin & Lauren Coughlin Share Women’s Scottish Open Lead
The co-leaders shot six-under 66s in testing conditions at Dundonald Links, with A Lim Kim one stroke behind and defending champion Lottie Woad facing work…