Fairways & Legends: Your Guide to the Greens

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or just enjoy the quiet beauty of a Sunday final round, golf season is officially here. From its humble 15th-century beginnings on the rough Scottish links to the global stage of 2026, the game remains the ultimate test of skill, strategy, and—most importantly—patience.

As we gear up for a big year on the course, here is everything you need to know to follow the action like a pro.

The 2026 Major Championship Calendar

The "Majors" are the peak of the sport. This year, the schedules are packed with historic courses and high stakes.

The Men’s Majors (The Big Four):

• The Masters (April 9–12): The tradition begins at Augusta National.

• PGA Championship (May 14–17): Hosted this year at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.

• U.S. Open (June 18–21): A true test of grit at the iconic Shinnecock Hills in New York.

• The Open Championship (July 16–19): Crossing the pond to Royal Birkdale in England.

The Women’s Majors (The Elite Five): Did you know the women’s tour features five major opportunities?

• The Chevron Championship (April 23–26): Moving to Houston's Memorial Park.

• U.S. Women’s Open (June 4–7): Taking place at the legendary Riviera Country Club in CA.

• KPMG Women’s PGA (June 25–28): Heading to Hazeltine National in Minnesota.

• Amundi Evian Championship (July 9–12): A stunning backdrop at Evian Resort in France.

• AIG Women’s Open (July 29–Aug 2): Finishing the major season at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Save the Date: Don't miss the Presidents Cup (USA vs. The International Team) at Medinah near Chicago, September 22–27!

The GOAT Debate: Who is the Greatest?

If you want to start a friendly argument at the 19th hole, just bring up the "Top 10" list. While every era is different, most experts agree on the heavy hitters:

1. Jack Nicklaus: The "Golden Bear" holds the gold standard with 18 majors.

2. Tiger Woods: The highest peak in sports history. 82 wins and 15 majors.

3. Ben Hogan: The legendary ball-striker who came back from a near-fatal accident.

4. Bobby Jones: The dominant amateur who founded the Masters.

5. Arnold Palmer: "The King" who brought golf to the masses.

Rounding out the top tier: Sam Snead, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Walter Hagen, and Byron Nelson.

Local Spotlight: New York’s Finest

We have a lot to be proud of in the Empire State when it comes to golf history! Two names stand above the rest:

• Walter Hagen (Rochester, NY): The greatest male golfer New York has ever produced. With 11 majors and 44 wins, he is in the "inner circle" of all-time greats.

• Dottie Pepper (Saratoga Springs, NY): A local, modern legend. Dottie won 17 LPGA events and 2 majors, and she remains one of the most respected voices in the sport today.

A Quick Refresher on the Scorecard

If you’re new to watching, remember: The lower the number, the better.

• Par: The expected number of strokes for the hole.

• Birdie: One under par (Great!)

• Eagle: Two under par (Amazing!)

• Bogey: One over par (It happens to the best of us!)