Van Sickle has covered golf since 1980, following the tours to 125 men’s major championships, 14 Ryder Cups and one sweet roundtrip flight on the late Concorde. He is likely the only active golf writer who covered Tiger Woods during his first pro victory, in Las Vegas in 1996, and his 81st, in Augusta. Van Sickle’s work appeared, in order, in The Milwaukee Journal, Golf World magazine, Sports Illustrated (20 years) and Golf.com. He is a former president of the Golf Writers Association of America.
His knees are shot, but he used to be a half-decent player. He competed in two national championships (U.S. Senior Amateur, most recently in 2014); made it to U.S. Open sectional qualifying once and narrowly missed the Open by a scant 17 shots (mostly due to poor officiating); won 10 club championships; and made seven holes-in-one (though none lately). Van Sickle’s golf equipment stories usually are based on personal field-testing, not press-release rewrites. His nickname is Van Cynical. Yeah, he earned it.
At TPC Sawgrass’s Famous Island 17th Hole, No Good Story Stays Untold
Isaiah Salinda is playing in his first Players Championship this week but already has a 17th hole ace story for the ages, Gary Van Sickle writes.
Golf
Golf’s ‘Deal or No Deal’ Keeps Dragging on, but the PGA Tour Doesn’t Need One
While Jay Monahan addressed the media Tuesday with no updates on unification talks, Gary Van Sickle wonders why the PGA Tour doesn't just walk away from the table altogether.
Golf
Hunting the Best New Golf Gear at the PGA Merchandise Show
Companies big and small in the golf equipment world gathered in Orlando for the annual PGA Show and Gary Van Sickle checked out gear worth considering for your game in 2025.
Golf
2024 Golf Awards: A Memorable (and Wild) Year That Deserves Its Own Hall of Fame
How do you quantify such a strange year in golf? Gary Van Sickle creates a new Hall of Fame for the brilliant and not-so-much in 2024.
Golf
This Waterproof Bag Keeps Everything Dry (Even Through Hurricane Remnants)
Helene was still spitting rain when it got to Gary Van Sickle's part of the country, but he was able to play on thanks to Sun Mountain's water-fighting H2NO LiteSpeed bag.
Golf
This James Bond Golf-Themed Golf Grip Is Worth Getting Your Hands on
Golf Pride teamed up with the popular movie franchise for a 007-themed limited edition that's meant to be gripped, not shaken or stirred.
Golf
Envelopes, Please: The ‘Other’ Awards From Highs and Lows of the 2024 PGA Tour Season
Gary Van Sickle looks back at the year in golf with admiration for Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Nick Dunlap and creative orange T-shirts.
Golf
Ranking the Contenders in a PGA Championship Worthy of Another Kentucky Classic
Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele co-lead with a stable of capable players behind them, and Gary Van Sickle handicaps the Sunday horse race in store at Valhalla.