Publication by EssentiallySports |
June 18, 2026 | Edition #314 |
👋 {{readername | Hey golf fans}},
To roll back or not, and when, has been the question for the USGA and R&A for years now. But after facing consistent backlash from the players and tours, the associations have given an essential update that will affect pros and you alike at the same time. Meanwhile, fans have gathered in solidarity to ridicule Jason Day’s outfit, and NBC’s latest idea was not well-received.
Let’s get started…
Inspired by the U.S. Open and the golfing heritage of Long Island, our latest collection celebrates the places that have shaped the game we love.
Coastal Morning Coffee Mug — A reminder of the simple pleasure of coffee before golf.
Essential Golf Towel — A dependable companion designed for the rounds that matter.
Long Island Landmark Towel — Celebrating the iconic lighthouse of Long Island.
The Golfer's Pour Whiskey Glass — Perfect for reliving great rounds with friends.
New York Golf Coaster — A subtle tribute to one of golf's most historic regions.
For those who appreciate the history as much as the competition, this collection celebrates a place, a championship, and the enduring spirit of the game. Explore the collection below.
The decision to push the implementation of golf ball rollback comes a few years late. But tell us…
Do You Think USGA Was Right to Delay the Golf Ball Rollback?
Last Poll Result: 58% of you said Scottie Scheffler’s dry spell will continue at Shinnecock, too. Click here to see what your fellow readers wrote about it.
Fred Herd pictured in 1898.
On June 18, 1898, the first U.S. Open held over 72 holes came to an end, as per the USGA. Fred Herd, who had only recently arrived in America, defeated fellow Scottish golfer Alex Smith by seven strokes. Interestingly, Herd was such a known drunkard that the USGA demanded he make a cash deposit to receive the trophy, worried that Herd would sell the trophy to buy liquor.
3
Number of U.S. Open champs who made 75 or higher in their opening rounds since 1980, as per stats guru Justin Ray. Two of them did it at Shinnecock.
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