New Year, SAME Rules, Vegas Winds & Smarter Amateur Golf Decisions

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The new year is here, and it’s time for amateur golfers to stop giving strokes away. In this episode of Golfweek Amateur Tour - The Podcast, Tim Newman and Chris Rocha kick off 2026 with a deep dive into the most misunderstood USGA rules, smart competitive golf strategy, and a Vegas tour update that every serious amateur golfer should hear.

We start with Roger breaking down the USGA rules that trip up even experienced players, from embedded ball relief outside the fairway cut to red penalty area options, nearest point of relief versus the nicest lie, and what really happens when a practice swing moves your ball. If you play Golfweek Amateur Tour tournaments, these are the rules mistakes quietly wrecking scorecards every weekend.

Then we head west with Las Vegas Tour Director Kevin Durant, who gives a candid update on the Vegas Golfweek Amateur Tour, including why Paiute plays completely different when the wind kicks up, how practice rounds and single-day tune-ups can sharpen your game, and why the Golfweek Amateur Tour continues to deliver elite competitive golf events at fair prices. Kevin also shares his transition into A-Flight, mindset shifts, and how regional events prepare players for the National Championship.

We wrap with mindset, travel strategy, and consistency, because the Golfweek Amateur Tour isn’t just about swing mechanics. It’s about preparation, routine, community, and making smarter decisions under pressure.

This episode is for everyday golfers who want to play better, travel smarter, and compete like pros, without acting like one.

Where Amateurs Play Like Pros!

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