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Quick question: Among Ben Hogan, Tiger Woods, and Bryson DeChambeau, who has a physics degree? Yes, Bryson. And who’s called ‘robotic’ for being too technical? Bryson again. But the Crushers captain says a lot of it — trying to perfect every part of the game and being stoic on the course — has come from Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods.

They made being ‘robotic’ a desirable trait. Now, Hogan was ruthlessly clinical. As the story goes, before the U.S. Open, Hogan got a shipment of dozens of golf balls. He inspected them with a magnifying glass, then chucked many. Too much paint in the dimples!

Hogan tried to “perfect the game,” even when he couldn’t. Perhaps that dedication is what made him the “Father of Modern Day Golf Swing.” Check out this rare video of Hogan breaking down the art of it.

Tiger, on the other hand, is revered for his ability to block noise. In the final round of the 2019 Masters, cameras and fans swarmed as he inched closer to his 15th major, but he was ice-cold. No fist-pump till the putt dropped.

Little wonder that almost every pro golfer of Bryson’s generation hero-worshipped Tiger. In his words, “I swung so far one way trying to be the stoic person, I realized I couldn't be that person.” What Bryson was hinting at was a criticism often bandied around.

It rarely looks like golfers are having fun. A 60-foot putt goes in; the crowd goes wild, but all you get is a mere putter-raise. DeChambeau, in recent years, has dramatically changed himself. The roars and the banter with fans are as much part of his game as his floating golf balls in Epsom salt water before a round. The way he has been welcomed says a lot about what golf fans were missing.

So, yes, there is no harm in golfers being a little less stoical.

As we near the year’s end, it’s time to review some of the great and not-so-great golf moments of 2025. Today, we look at the top rule controversies of the year.

Uncertain: In the second round of the 2025 Open Championship, Shane Lowry incurred a two-stroke penalty on the 12th after moving his ball during a practice swing and not replacing it in its original position. But… we could barely see the ball moving. So was it even a correct decision? You be the judge after watching the clip below.

Callous: At the Nexo Championship, Sam Bairstow faced a Lowry-like situation — his ball moved during a practice swing. He should've replaced it, but no, he played it from there. Confronted, Bairstow denied any deliberate rules breach. But let us present to you the incriminating video evidence that refutes his claim of innocence.

Honesty: On the 17th hole at the Memorial Health Championship R1, Nelson Ledesma’s caddie flashed four fingers at Cole Hammer, asking if he had hit a 4-iron. Hammer flashed four back, confirming the club choice. Rule 10.2a prohibits these exchanges, and Hammer felt guilty. So the next day, he called an official, but what happened afterward made him regret it even more.

Bizarre: Cedric Gugler was DQed from the Raiffeisenbank Golf Challenge after playing from the wrong spot on multiple occasions in R1. As if that ended the matter. Months later, an independent disciplinary panel handed him a harsher penalty that could potentially change his career path.

Integrity: At the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Davis Riley used his rangefinder on the 17th for yardage, which was okay. But the slope function was also turned on, which is a big no. Riley self-reported, but he was definitely not prepared for the brutal consequences.

One thing ruining your rhythm is rushing through the swing. A key reason this happens is when you fail to complete your backswing, resulting in a botched drive like this one from Rickie Fowler. You probably already know that. But what you don’t know is this simple drill from top noted golf teacher, Danny Maude, that will fix the issue.

1. Take a deep breath through your nose on your backswing. Fill your lungs fully to slow the motion, and complete the backswing.

2. That way, you will be able to store the energy and generate the power to pull on your downswing. That’s crucial for distance off the tee.

3. Now, exhale through your mouth as you start the downswing. Accelerate through impact while pulling with your lower body for smooth power transfer. Watch Danny Maude demonstrating this below.

Practice this a few times until you’ve a good feel for it. Then, try these drills to ensure a smooth swing.

We know it’s winter, but imagine hitting the range for once. The splatter of balls popping down into the bucket. The gentle clatter as you shift through the clubs. The patter when you roll the balls on the tray. Thanks to Hally Leadbetter, you can hear all the “music” while sipping morning coffee.

The famed broadcaster hit a nearby range, ignoring the cold, and created this gem of a golf ASMR video — watch (and listen) here. Yes, that also included kvetching about the driving range's bias against lefties. The best part, of course, is the crescendo of a crisp shot.

In case you haven’t checked her other clips, do yourself a favor and check out this Christmas special one, where she offers a $100 PGA Tour Superstore gift card to random strangers on the range. And here you can read our exclusive interview with Hally covering the Ryder Cup, Bryson’s YouTube, and more.