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.
Toptracer Adds Royal Birkdale to Virtual Golf Portfolio, Launches Global Challenge Ahead of The 154th Open
Golfers can now play Royal Birkdale virtually, with a closest-to-the-pin challenge on the venue’s new par-3 15th running during Open championship week.
Madeira to Host Faldo Junior Tour and Autumn Events Across All Three Courses
The Portuguese archipelago will stage professional, amateur and junior tournaments from September to October 2026.
Viktor Hovland Wins Travelers Championship in Monday Playoff
A 7-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole gave Hovland his eighth victory.
Haeran Ryu Overcomes Record Deficit to Win 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for First Major Title
Ryu sat T70 after an opening 73, ten shots off the lead. Four days later she lifted the trophy at Hazeltine, completing the largest first-round…
Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland Set for Monday Playoff at Travelers Championship After Darkness Delays Finish
World No. 1 and Viktor Hovland will return Monday morning for a sudden-death showdown after fading light prevented extra holes Sunday evening.
Eugenio Chacarra Wins Italian Open and Secures Open Debut at Royal Birkdale
The Spaniard closed with a bogey-free 64 at Circolo Golf Torino to claim back-to-back DP World Tour titles and book his place in The 154th…
Tim Wiedemeyer Wins European Amateur Championship in Finland, Earns Royal Birkdale Spot
The 21-year-old German recovered from a first-round 73 to win by two at Linna Golf.
Ryu Leads Henderson by One as Korda Stays in Range at Women’s PGA
Four contenders with four different pressure profiles head into Sunday at Hazeltine. The leaderboard is tight, the greens are slick.
Viktor Hovland Leads Scottie Scheffler by One at Travelers Championship
A 6-foot birdie on the final hole flipped Saturday’s script at TPC River Highlands, giving Hovland a one-shot edge over the world No. 1 heading…
Eugenio Chacarra Takes Italian Open Lead as Niemann Stumbles
A late run of three straight birdies carried the Spaniard to 17-under at Circolo Golf Torino.
Ina Yoon Takes Five-Shot Lead Into Weekend at KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
The 23-year-old South Korean followed her record-setting opening 63 with a 69.
Scottie Scheffler Shoots 60 to Take Two-Shot Lead at Travelers Championship
World No. 1 narrowly missed out on becoming the second player in PGA Tour history with multiple sub-60 rounds.
Joaquín Niemann Fires 64-63 to Open Two-Shot Lead at Italian Open
The Chilean reaches 15 under par through 36 holes at Circolo Golf Torino, where Matt Wallace’s course-record 62 and Angel Ayora’s matching 63 kept the…
Ina Yoon Ties Women’s PGA Championship Record With 63 at Hazeltine
The 23-year-old South Korean fired nine birdies to match the lowest round in championship history.
Eric Cole Takes One-Shot Lead at TPC River Island
A year after illness forced him out of the Travelers, Cole posted a bogey-free 63 to lead Scottie Scheffler and five others by one.
Edoardo Molinari Sets Course Record to Lead Italian Open at Home Club
The 45-year-old birdied four of his last five holes to post an eight-under 63 at Circolo Golf Torino, a course he has played thousands of…
De Bock and O’Keefe Fight Through to Women’s Amateur Quarter-Finals at Muirfield
Belgium’s Savannah De Bock rallied from four down, while top-ranked Farah O’Keefe scraped past 16-year-old Lauren Crump on a brutal day at the 123rd Women’s…
LIV Golf Cites Niemann, Kim and Puig as Evidence Its Pathways System Is Working
Nine events into the 2026 season, LIV Golf pointed to major championship exemptions, a career-best US Open finish, and a comeback victory as proof that…
Jordan Spieth Tests L.A.B. VZN.1i Putter at Travelers Championship
The three-time major champion brought a black L.A.B. Golf mallet into Wednesday’s pro-am at TPC River Highlands, a sharp departure from the blade putters that…
Farah O’Keefe Survives Extra Hole as Defending Champion Martín Sampedro Exits Women’s Amateur at Muirfield
World number three O’Keefe fought back from one down after 17 to beat fellow American Kacey Ly, while Canada’s Ann-Sophie Bourgault stunned the defending champion…