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.
Aphrodite Hills Opens PGA National Golf Academy and Wins Family Dining Award
The Cyprus resort’s new academy brings together a 28-bay TrackMan Range, indoor coaching studios and a six-hole course. Its family dining offer has also won…
Yuna Nishimura Wins First LPGA Tour Title by Five Strokes in Arkansas
After a season of missed cuts, Nishimura took a five-shot lead into Sunday.
United States Overturn Three-Point Deficit to Win 11th Straight Presidents Cup
The Internationals began Sunday ahead at Medinah, but a 9½-2½ singles session turned the contest. Jackson Koivun recovered from two down before Jacob Bridgeman secured…
Casandra Alexander Rallies to Win Ladies Italian Open by Three Shots
Four shots off the pace after five holes, Alexander fought back with an eagle at the ninth and pulled clear on the closing stretch.
Matt Fitzpatrick Wins 2026 FedEx Open de France by Three Shots
Eugenio Chacarra cut a five-shot overnight gap to two, but Fitzpatrick’s late birdies settled the contest.
Yuna Nishimura Takes Five-Shot NW Arkansas Championship Lead With Consecutive 63s
Three challengers shot 64 on Saturday, but each remains five strokes back.
International Team Leads US 10½-7½ Into Sunday Singles
Conners and Taylor overturned a three-hole deficit, while Fox and Lee won the last match on the course to protect the Internationals’ lead at Medinah.
US Wins Saturday Morning Four-Balls, Internationals Lead 8½–5½
Scheffler and Burns won their final three holes to give the Americans the session, but Si Woo Kim kept the International Team three points ahead.
Folke, Forsterling & Alexander Share Ladies Italian Open Lead
Folke birdied her last three holes to reach the top. Alexander took a less direct route, making an eagle before two late bogeys set up…
Matt Fitzpatrick Leads Open de France by Five After Third-Round 65
Fitzpatrick equalled Seve Ballesteros’s 54-hole tournament mark, while home favourite Tom Vaillant moved into second place.
SEVE Collection Launches Heart of SEVE Apparel for 2027 Ryder Cup
A hidden Ballesteros silhouette takes its cue from a tribute worn by Europe’s 2025 Ryder Cup team. Existing customers have early online access to the…
Pin Vision Enters US Market Through CourseRev.ai Partnership
The deal aims to connect live flag positions and pace-of-play information with tee-time booking.
Yuna Nishimura Shoots Career-Low 63 to Lead NW Arkansas Championship
A closing eagle put Nishimura one ahead of Yu Liu, while a crowded group at 65 remains within two shots at Pinnacle Country Club.
International Team Sweeps Friday Foursomes to Lead 7-3
Fox and Lee came back from one down with four holes left, while Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim beat Cantlay and Schauffele again. The…
Matt Fitzpatrick Leads FedEx Open de France by One After Bogey-Free 64
An eagle at the 14th and a 27-foot birdie putt gave Fitzpatrick the lead. A slip on his approach to the last left him needing…
Four Share Ladies Italian Open Lead After Opening 67s in Monza
A closing eagle for Noora Komulainen and a hole-out for Patricie Mackova helped create a four-way tie at Golf Club Milano. Home favourite Alessandra Fanali…
Bernardus Welcomes Golfers Back After Europe’s 2026 Solheim Cup Victory
Around 80,000 spectators watched Europe reclaim the trophy in the Netherlands. With the crowds gone, Bernardus is offering golfers the chance to play its championship…
United States Take 3-2 Presidents Cup Lead After Opening Four-Balls
Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns delivered the first point at Medinah before Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim kept the International Team within one.
Michael Kim Opens With 63 to Lead FedEx Open de France by Two
The defending champion made eight birdies without a bogey on his first competitive round at Le Golf National, with Matt Fitzpatrick among seven players sharing…
Rockliffe Reopens After Multi-Million-Pound Transformation
The Hurworth-on-Tees resort has reopened with a renovated championship course, rooms and suites, a spa and a new restaurant from James Close.