Golf Digest May 2015

MALE 14-hdcp ● LPGA TOUR ● Avg. swing speed (mph) 93.4 / 94 Avg. driving distance (yds) 228 / 250 SOURCE: TRACKMAN FIRST, LET ME DISPENSE with the details of this historic Golf Digest cover, although I might point out that Rory McIlroy wasn’t wearing a shirt on last month’s cover, either. (No, not a trend—just a sign of the fitness of today’s top players.) I was not there. Lexi Thompson’s mother, Judy, was. The editors had cleared the room during what were called the delicate moments. But Lexi wasn’t the least bit self-conscious. When our Photographer-at-Large, Walter Iooss Jr., a veteran of 43 years of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues, began working with Lexi, someone asked Judy if she was OK with the shoot. Mom’s response was, “I am, but her middle brother won’t be!” That’s Curtis, the…

I PLAYED MY FIRST FULL YEAR on the PGA Tour in 2008, and by 2012 I felt like I needed to make some improvements in my swing to take the next step and win some tournaments. I’ve always been fascinated with golf history, and I see Ben Hogan’s swing as the ultimate model of athleticism and efficiency. It’s impossible to look at Hogan’s action and not think there are things you could use in your swing. The equipment might have been different then, but what Mr. Hogan did with those clubs is timeless. I’ve worked with teacher Wayne DeFrancesco in kind of a new-school way to merge some of Hogan’s classic technique into my game. Wayne and I trade video back and forth of my swing and Hogan’s, and it’s made me…

There are all kinds of shots I could teach you from a greenside bunker, but I’ll bet you’d be happy with just one: A shot that puts you somewhere on the green—every time. I know you’re feeling some nerves when you climb into the sand, so I’m going to keep this simple. It’s mostly about the setup. Holding your sand wedge in front of you, turn the face open about 20 degrees, then take your grip. Get into your stance with the ball way forward—opposite the heel of your front foot. Then set a little more weight on your front side, but don’t push your hands toward the target. You want the shaft to be straight up and down. Make a half backswing, then really spank the sand two to three inches behind…

“On a long par 5, your tee shot dictates how you play the hole.” Hilton Head’s Harbour Town Golf Links and I have a long history. It was the first course I was involved in designing, back in 1969. I was at the height of my playing career when the owner, Charles Fraser, asked me if I had any interest in designing courses. I thought it would be fun, and suggested Pete Dye and I work together on Harbour Town, site of the RBC Heritage April 16-19. I made 23 site visits and realized course design would be one of my greatest joys. Harbour Town’s 588-yard 15th is a good par 5. The dogleg-left to a small green requires clear thinking, especially with a tournament on the line. Harbour Town’s big finish COURSE…

AGE 31 RESIDES Lakewood, Wash. STORY Turned to golf after breaking his neck at age 11 while diving into a shallow lake. Finished 11th on the Web.com Tour in 2014 to earn his PGA Tour card. NO RAZOR REQUIRED Facial hair wasn’t allowed on the golf team at UNLV. As a pro I grew it out as a joke and still have it. BACKWARD APPROACH If you look at my bag, you’ll see I have the clubs set in reverse. When I was young I didn’t want to dig through the headcovers to get to the irons and wedges, so I put those on top. I tried switching but kept putting clubs in the wrong spot, so I went back to doing it. —WITH E. MICHAEL JOHNSON FAIRWAY WOOD SPECS Callaway Big Bertha V Series 3-wood, 16˚…

For more than 10 years, Jimmy Walker had plugged away as a professional golfer before winning the 2013 Frys.com Open at age 34. It was his 188th start on the PGA Tour. Then it all fell into place. He won two more times in his next seven events. “He’s definitely a late bloomer,” says Butch Harmon, his teacher since 2011, “but he’s also going to be around a long time.” His performance so far this year suggests he will. Walker got into a playoff at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, won the Sony Open in Hawaii and finished two back at the Farmers Insurance Open to take an early lead in the FedEx Cup standings. Last September, he was one of the U.S. team’s few bright spots in his first Ryder…