Gary Van Sickle

'All Carry' proves to be a long, enjoyable tale

Author Gene Wojciechowski, known for his writing chops in Los Angeles and Chicago and TV work at ESPN, takes readers on an enjoyable — albeit far-fetched — journey that any golfer would like to take.

Apr 28 26April 28, 2026

Article at firstcallgolf.com

When 1 swing, 1 shot proves to be enough

Rory McIlroy may not have played his best golf to win a second successive Masters, but he showed again why he's a cut above anyone not named Scottie Scheffler — and even that is debatable.

Apr 13 26April 13, 2026

Article at firstcallgolf.com

A sobering journeyman's tale

Former tour pro Steve Wheatcroft bares his darkest moments and sees a light of hope in his memoir, “Cocktails and Range Balls: One’s Too Many, Ten’s Not Enough.”

Apr 05 26April 05, 2026

Article at firstcallgolf.com

Brian Rolapp's major move

How a simple slogan for this year's Players Championship reignited the debate over whether the PGA Tour's signature event should be elevated to golf's fifth major.

Feb 18 26February 18, 2026

Article at firstcallgolf.com

Brooks Koepka’s savvy business move

Say what you will about the five-time major champion, but the jump he made to LIV Golf in 2022 was right for him. And so is his PGA Tour return.

Jan 28 26January 28, 2026

Article at firstcallgolf.com

Being square in a rounded world

The time for Square Line Golf's new putter grip may be now.

Jan 08 26January 08, 2026

Article at firstcallgolf.com

LIV Golf: It's here to stay — in some form

The league continues to evolve with the move to 72-hole tournaments and larger fields, but it still has an awkward feel about its existence.

Nov 16 25November 16, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

The national championship that isn't

There is a beef to be had with the USGA. Missing from its robust schedule is the U.S. Parent-Child Championship, which would be immensely popular if it weren't for the logistical nightmares.

Nov 09 25November 09, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

The business side of Peter Jacobsen

Best known as a player and analyst — and, yes, leader singer for Jake Trout and The Flounders — the 71-year-old believes he's on to something with the Skechers World Championship Cup ... and more.

Oct 23 25October 23, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

Lanny Wadkins speaks out on Ryder Cup

The eight-time U.S. Ryder Cup team member and 1995 captain earned his right to voice an opinion, and the Hall of Famer didn't mince words about the recent edition — from chemistry to crowds.

Oct 08 25October 08, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

The Ryder Cup's GOAT influencers

Winning matters, but there is more that impacts this United States-Europe rivalry that reaches a crescendo every few years. Gary Van Sickle looks beyond the Ws to find the biggest difference makers.

Sep 24 25September 24, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

How the Ryder Cup became so white hot

Author Hank Gola's new book, “Ryder Cup Rivals: The Fiercest Battles for Golf's Holy Grail,” explains, through the lens of 13 Ryder Cups, how controversies and rivalries have shaped the matches.

Sep 11 25September 11, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

A ranking of major proportions

Gary Van Sickle went the extra mile to compile the ultimate review of golf's entire 2025 major schedule — along with one that might require as asterisk.

Aug 28 25August 28, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

Are the FedEx Cup Playoffs too flawed to fix?

Do you care that Jake Knapp finished outside the top 50 in the playoffs' first round? If the answer is no, then it's likely a sign that the current system is not generating enough excitement.

Aug 12 25August 12, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

The stuff of Hollywood — kind of

Jay Delsing was more than a PGA Tour journeyman. He was a collector of insider golf stories and now he's sharing them in his new book, "You Wouldn’t Believe Me If I Told You.”

Jul 29 25July 29, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

The century's best Open Championships

Though the 21st century is barely a quarter old, the British major has already produced a dozen worthy outcomes. TFC contributor Gary Van Sickle ranks the finest.

Jul 15 25July 15, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

Ranking Oakmont's 9 U.S. Opens

The rough-hewn brute of a course just outside of Pittsburgh has a way of identifying true major champions and it is a select company.

Jun 11 25June 11, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

The long and shorts of Forrest Fezler's 1983 U.S. Open

Oakmont Country Club is rich with U.S. Open memories, having hosted nine prior to this year's, but one stands out for its particular uniqueness.

Jun 09 25June 09, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

Was Jack Nicklaus better than Tiger Woods, or vice versa?

New book, “The Golf 100,” seeks to answer that question and ranks 98 other notable men and women players — but not Scottie Scheffler.

May 28 25May 28, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

Rory McIlroy to win PGA? Not so fast

While a lot of pre-tourney talk concerns the newest member of the career Grand Slam club, there remain plenty of unanswered questions about this week. Don't worry, though, the Answer Man is here.

May 14 25May 14, 2025

Article at firstcallgolf.com

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