The Equipment Challenge That Kept J.J. Spaun Out of Ryder Cup Foursomes Play
LeBron James Opens Up: Why Golf Is ‘The Most Complex Mind Game Ever’
LeBron James has recently caught the golf fever in a major way. The NBA superstar, known for his dominance on the basketball court, has been sharing clips of himself practicing relentlessly both on the driving range and out on the course via his social media channels.
At 40 years old, LeBron only started playing golf this past summer, and his fascination with the sport has quickly deepened. Speaking on the "Mind the Game" podcast, he described golf as "the most complicated mind f**k ever," which is quite a statement coming from someone with a career as intense and strategic as his in the NBA.
LeBron explained, "I actually wanted to challenge my mind with something different, so I picked up golf. The unique thing about golf is that it’s the first individual sport I’ve really played. There’s no teammate to rely on or coordinate with — it’s just me against each hole. And that mental battle? It’s incredibly tough. I love that it’s so uncomfortable and demanding."
What’s even more interesting is that LeBron’s passion for golf has grown so much that he’s been getting swing advice from his Lakers teammate Austin Reaves during game timeouts! Imagine that — a basketball timeout doubling as a golf lesson.
Here’s a glimpse of LeBron getting some quick golf tips from Reaves during a timeout:
LeBron getting some golfing tips from Austin Reaves during a timeout ???????? pic.twitter.com/MmjTTZfyfM
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) October 6, 2025
Your Thoughts?
Do you think LeBron’s transition from a team sport to an individual one like golf will influence how other athletes approach mental challenges? Or is golf’s mental complexity truly in a league of its own? Share your views below!
Collin Morikawa Defends His Ryder Cup Crowd Comments: ‘Taken Out of Context’?
The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black was nothing short of electric, with the crowd’s energy reaching levels that some might call hostile, especially toward the European team. Videos from the event captured the intense atmosphere and the barrage of heckling the Europeans faced.
Before the tournament began, Collin Morikawa described the crowd during practice days as "tame" and expressed his hope for "chaos" once the competition started. He said, "I’ll be honest, I think it’s kind of tame so far, Tuesday and Wednesday… I hope Friday is just absolute chaos. I’m all for it."
However, after the event, Morikawa was asked if he regretted those words given how intense and sometimes rude the crowd became during the matches. Speaking at the Baycurrent Classic, he clarified his stance:
"I think what I said has been taken a bit out of context. Ryder Cups are supposed to be full of energy, right? When I said ‘chaos,’ I didn’t mean for the crowd to be disrespectful or rude. That’s not on me. I wanted the fans to be passionate and proud of their countries."
He continued, "I don’t have the power to control what fans say or do. Sometimes, they cross the line, and that’s unfortunate. It wasn’t in my group, but I definitely heard some things that were over the top."
Morikawa, 28, also reflected on the unique nature of golf crowds compared to other sports:
"Golf is different because fans are so close to the players — you hear almost everything. In other sports, you don’t really catch all the chatter. So, it’s important to find the balance between what’s acceptable and what’s not."
Morikawa tees off at 7:35 p.m. ET on Thursday as the PGA Tour heads to Japan this week.
What’s Your Take?
Was Morikawa’s comment about wanting "chaos" just a call for passionate support, or did it unintentionally encourage unruly behavior? How should players and fans navigate the fine line between enthusiasm and respect? We’d love to hear your opinions!
Brooks Koepka Reveals His Toughest Club to Fit and Why He’s Eyeing GolfWRX Classifieds
Brooks Koepka has long been loyal to certain clubs in his bag, notably his TaylorMade M2 HL 3-wood and Nike Vapor Pro 3-iron. Despite the constant evolution of golf technology, these two clubs have remained fixtures in the five-time major champion’s setup.
In a recent interview with Today’s Golfer at St. Andrews, Koepka opened up about why these clubs have stood the test of time and why the 3-wood, in particular, is notoriously difficult to fit properly.
Regarding the TaylorMade M2 HL 3-wood, Koepka said, "The 3-wood is probably the hardest club to get dialed in. I’ve never really found anything that feels quite right off the tee or from the fairway. The ball flight I get with this one is just perfect, and I haven’t found anything better in over a decade. I think I’ve been using this club for 10, maybe 11 or 12 years now. I don’t tinker much — when I find something that works, I stick with it. Occasionally, I swap out the shaft due to wear and tear, but the clubhead stays the same."
On the Nike Vapor Pro 3-iron, Koepka shared, "I currently have this one and maybe one more as a backup. I’m not one to experiment with different clubs. I tried a 5-wood once, but the ball flight just didn’t feel right. Luckily, I’m not at the stage where I need extra help from additional woods, but I imagine in five or six years, I’ll be open to anything that helps. This 3-iron has been my reliable go-to. The original one actually broke on the 18th hole at Portrush this year, but thankfully I wasn’t playing the weekend rounds, so I had a backup ready. I’ve been carrying that spare for months, knowing the original was nearing its end."
With only one Nike Vapor Pro 3-iron left in his arsenal, Brooks might want to check out the GolfWRX Classifieds soon. Interestingly, just two months ago, a similar 3-iron in excellent condition was listed for sale in the forums.
For those curious, you can explore Koepka’s full "What’s In The Bag" (WITB) here.
Your Reaction?
Do you think sticking with older clubs is a smart move for consistency, or should players embrace new technology more aggressively? And how important is club fitting in today’s game? Let’s get the conversation going!
What do you think about these stories? Are LeBron’s mental challenges in golf relatable? Was Morikawa’s comment misunderstood or a catalyst for crowd behavior? And is Koepka’s club loyalty a sign of wisdom or resistance to change? Drop your thoughts and join the debate below!
