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If you want to keep up to date with the latest pro tour news and results, the best of the amateur coverage from the UK regions and further afield, or simply want to find out the latest bit of kit hitting the headlines that could improve your game then our new newsletter The Stroke Index is for you.
Golf is booming with more and more people finding time to pick up their clubs and play a few holes. The major tournaments and international team events obviously steal the lion's share of coverage and draw in huge audiences with so much content to consume it can feel overwhelming.
To be honest, it's almost impossible to keep track of everything - especially the easily missed stories not making national headlines. But what happens when the media caravan moves on? The Stroke Index, written by journalist Simon Payne, is hoping to bridge the gap by providing a digest of the best golf content and trends all in one place, reliably delivered to your inbox - for free.
Our mission is simple: deliver a streamlined, ad-free newsletter with the latest tour previews, results, global golf news, and curated links to equipment, fashion, and travel for every golfer. For expert analysis, the latest stats, and informed commentary, join The Stroke Index and be part of a growing golf community.
Who is Simon Payne - author of The Stroke Index?
Simon Payne has almost three decades of experience working in broadcast and print media. Having started his career at Sky TV before moving on to journalism roles including news and picture editor at Golf Monthly magazine and a number of years as a freelance sports writer, he settled back behind a desk as a sub-editor in the regional press industry where his focus has been on helping to deliver local news across the South East of England.
Yet his passion for all things golf has never diminished and he feels now is the right time to get back in the game. He said: 'I have been playing golf for many years, and watching for even longer. I remember being inspired by Sandy Lyle playing THAT bunker shot on the 18th at Augusta on the way to winning the Masters in 1988. But I must have been interested long before that because I can still recall the crazy footage of Bernhard Langer climbing a tree to play a ball that had lodged in the trunk, back in 1981. The seed was well and truly sown.
'Of course, the sport has moved on tremendously since then and the professional game is bigger than ever, commanding more attention and allowing fans multiple media platforms on which to access the latest news. And that is where The Stroke Index comes in. Rather than trawling through a range of content you want to read behind the main headlines, why not enjoy receiving a regular email with links to some of the best stories out there? It will save time yet still keep you fed with up-to-date news and trends.
'The newsletter also aims to go beyond the professional game, giving amateur golfers a fix of articles from the business of golf to tournament and event news. Added to this will be links to the best stories on equipment, fashion and travel for those looking to expand their game and the experiences that come with it.
'I'm hoping The Stroke Index will in time go beyond just being a platform to source golf news and will actually play its own small part in helping to grow the game.'
The Stroke Index is more than just a newsletter – it's about building a community. A place where people can come together to share ideas, discuss the highs and lows and dissect every key moment from tee to green. If you love golf, this is your new home!
So where and how do I join?
The Stroke Index is published on Substack, an independent platform with no ads. You can read it on the desktop, the Substack app or directly from your inbox. No need to scroll or rely on algorithms - once it's live, the newsletter is sent straight to you. You can join by clicking here or entering your email into the sign up box further up the article.
So what's on our scorecard?
Every newsletter will consist of a number of sections each with just what you need to stay one step ahead on the range, at the course, or sitting in front of the TV.
These will include:
- View From the Tee: Bringing you the best news lines from respected sources inside golf, pre- and post-tournament analysis, the stats that matter, updates from the heart of the professional game, and so much more.
- Around the Greens: News from the UK regions and around the world. Business updates and feature articles to inspire any club or recreational golfer.
- Clubhouse Chat: If you're looking for the latest bit of golf kit, technology, clothes to wear, or places to visit, then sit down with a cuppa and find the stories you need to improve your game and, more importantly, enjoy it. There will also be the best of golf socials, things you might have missed and light-hearted moments guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
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Scotsman
41 minutes ago
- Scotsman
'I was a little p***ed off' - Rory McIlroy breaks silence on PGA Championship driver leak
Masters champion talks about his decision to snub media during 'weird week' at Quail Hollow Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Rory McIlroy has admitted he felt 'a little pissed off' about the leaked testing results of a non-conforming driver at the PGA Championship three weeks ago, saying it had contributed to his decision not to conduct any media interviews after all four rounds at Quail Hollow. Though players are not obliged to speak to the media, it was a rare occurrence for McIlroy to decline the opportunity at the end of every round in a tournament and the Masters champion has now confessed that it was partly down to it being reported by SirusXM PGA Tour Radio that his driver had failed a random test prior to the season's second major. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Conducted by the USGA, the testing found that McIlroy's driver had exceeded the point allowed for 'spring-like effect' and, after getting his hands on the Wanamaker Trophy in North Carolina, world No 1 Scottie Scheffler admitted he had been in the same boat. Rory McIlroy speaks to the media ahead of the RBC Canadian Open Pro-Am at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Ontario |'Yeah, look, the PGA was a bit of a weird week,' said McIlroy, speaking at a press conference ahead of his appearance in this week's RBC Canadian Open. 'I didn't play well the first day, so I wanted to go practice, so that was fine. Second day we finished late. I wanted to go back and see Poppy (his daughter) before she went to bed. The driver news broke. I didn't really want to speak on that. 'Saturday I was supposed to tee off at 8:20 in the morning. I didn't tee off until almost 2:00 in the afternoon, another late finish, was just tired, wanted to go home. Then Sunday, I just wanted to get on the plane and go back to Florida. 'Look, the driver stuff… I was a little pissed off because I knew that Scottie's driver had failed on Monday, but my name was the one that was leaked. It was supposed to stay confidential. Two members of the media were the ones that leaked it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I didn't want to get up there and say something that I regretted, either, because I'm trying to protect Scottie. I don't want to mention his name. I'm trying to protect TaylorMade. I'm trying to protect the USGA, PGA of America, myself. I just didn't want to get up there and say something that I regretted at the time. 'With Scottie's stuff, that's not my information to share. I knew that that had happened, but that's not on me to share that, and I felt that process is supposed to be kept confidential, and it wasn't for whatever reason. That's why I was pretty annoyed at that.' Masters champion says that 'this is a two-way street' McIlroy's decision to snub the media in his first major appearance since becoming just the sixth player to complete a career grand slam came after two-time major winner Collin Morikawa said earlier in the year that he 'didn't owe anything' in terms of media interviews. 'From a responsibility standpoint, I understand, but, if we all wanted to, we could all bypass you guys and we could just go on this and we could go on social media and we could talk about our round and do it our own way,' said McIlroy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We understand that that's not ideal for you guys and there's a bigger dynamic at play here, and I talk to you guys and I talk to the media a lot. I think there should be an understanding that this is a two-way street. We understand the benefit that comes from you being here and giving us the platform and everything else.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Rory McIlroy reminds media he doesn't have to talk
June 4 - Rory McIlroy admits he took it personally when a media leak led to widespread reporting of his driver failing inspection prior to the PGA Championship. McIlroy said he was thinking about all of the others he would have to protect -- including World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler -- when he made the decision to call off media availability following all four of his rounds at Quail Hollow in North Carolina. He shared his thoughts on Wednesday after he touched down for the Canadian Open, a final tuneup before the U.S. Open next week. "The PGA was a bit of a weird week. I didn't play well. I didn't play well the first day, so I wanted to go practice, so that was fine," McIlroy said of why he decided to ditch media at the PGA Championship. "Second day we finished late. I wanted to go back and see Poppy before she went to bed. The driver news broke. I didn't really want to speak on that. Saturday I was supposed to tee off at 8:20 in the morning. I didn't tee off until almost 2:00 in the afternoon, another late finish, was just tired, wanted to go home. "Then Sunday, I just wanted to get on the plane and go back to Florida." Coming off of a Masters win that completed his career Grand Slam, McIlroy was a favorite at the PGA Championship. Scheffler's driver was ruled nonconforming before his five-stroke victory at Quail Hollow, which didn't help McIlroy's mood. "I was a little pissed off because I knew that Scottie's driver had failed on Monday, but my name was the one that was leaked. It was supposed to stay confidential. Two members of the media were the ones that leaked it," McIlroy said Wednesday. "Again, I didn't want to get up there and say something that I regretted, either, because there's a lot of people that -- I'm trying to protect Scottie. I don't want to mention his name. I'm trying to protect TaylorMade. I'm trying to protect the USGA, PGA of America, myself. I just didn't want to get up there and say something that I regretted at the time." Scheffler was forthright in discussions about the driver being ruled nonconforming and said he felt like the decision was coming far earlier than it did. McIlroy joined the chorus of players reminding media the PGA Tour doesn't require post-match interviews. Whereas most pro sports leagues mandate a limited amount of access, several golfers have been clear there are no such bylaws for tour participants. "From a responsibility standpoint, look, I understand," McIlroy said. "But if we all wanted to, we could all bypass (press conferences), and we could go on social media and we could talk about our round and do it our own way. We understand that that's not ideal for you guys, and there's a bigger dynamic at play here. "I talk to the media a lot. I think there should be an understanding that this is a two-way street. We understand the benefit that comes from you being here and giving us the platform and everything else, so I understand that." --Field Level Media
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
Rory McIlroy reveals anger over driver testing leak that led to media silence
Rory McIlroy was left 'p----d off' at the US PGA Championship last month after the news his driver failed testing leaked while Scottie Scheffler's same result stayed private. The Masters champion declined to speak to the media after all of four rounds at Quail Hollow last month, where he finished in a tie for 47th after a poor opening day driving performance saw him hit just two fairways. News broke during the US PGA second round that McIlroy's driver was found to be 'non-conforming' during testing before the tournament, which brought a cloud over the euphoria of finally completing the career grand slam by winning the Green Jacket. Scheffler stormed to a five-shot victory at the US PGA to land his third major before revealing he, like McIlroy, was forced to change his driver after it also failed testing. 'Yeah, look, the PGA was a bit of a weird week,' McIlroy said ahead of this week's RBC Canadian Open. 'I didn't play well. I didn't play well the first day, so I wanted to go practice, so that was fine. 'Second day we finished late. I wanted to go back and see Poppy before she went to bed. The driver news broke. I didn't really want to speak on that. Saturday I was supposed to tee off at 8:20 in the morning. I didn't tee off until almost 2:00 in the afternoon, another late finish, was just tired, wanted to go home. 'Then Sunday, I just wanted to get on the plane and go back to Florida. Yeah, look, and also the driver stuff, there was -- I was a little p----d off because I knew that Scottie's driver had failed on Monday, but my name was the one that was leaked. It was supposed to stay confidential. Two members of the media were the ones that leaked it.' Non-conforming driver testing is a complex issue in golf with professionals unaware their drivers no longer meet requirements until they are tested. A driver is invariably considered non-conforming if it deviates from the specifications set by the governing bodies and this can include exceeding limits on springiness. When used extensively, drivers can experience 'CT creep' – characteristic timing – where the face flexes on impact causing wear which makes it illegal. McIlroy explained the frustrations over his testing result not remaining confidential led him to skip media as he did not want to say something he would later regret. 'Again, I didn't want to get up there and say something that I regretted, either, because there's a lot of people that – I'm trying to protect Scottie,' the five-time major winner added. 'I don't want to mention his name. I'm trying to protect TaylorMade. I'm trying to protect the USGA, PGA of America, myself. 'I just didn't want to get up there and say something that I regretted at the time. 'With Scottie's stuff, that's not my information to share. I knew that that had happened, but that's not on me to share that, and I felt that process is supposed to be kept confidential, and it wasn't for whatever reason. That's why I was pretty annoyed at that. 'From a responsibility standpoint, look, I understand, but if we all wanted to, we could all bypass you guys and we could just go on this and we could go on social media and we could talk about our round and do it our own way.'
