When I was offered this job, I wasn’t sure where to start. Why would 2026 be better than 2025? Was 2025 better than 2024? Can I even explain it if that’s the case?
These questions turned and quickly led to others – in the greater golf world but also for me. And the truth is, the answer to why 2026 could be golf’s best year ever is personal. More of a diary than an Excel doc.
So to try to answer the question for you, I took myself back. I procrastinated as much as I could. And suddenly there were very obvious answers as to why now (and next year) is better for golfers, golf fans, etc. than before. My thoughts are focused on this one fact: golf is everywhere you look.
It’s on Instagram. LeBron James’ Instagram, to be exact. This game has officially hosted the biggest celebrities in the world and will definitely do so for years to come. But if you’ve been paying attention the rest athletes and celebrities, golf is a catch for everyone. Justin Bieber. Kelce brothers. Catherine Zeta-Jones. Yes, the President of the United States.
It’s on YouTube. Golf is on YouTube so much that the phrase “YouTube Golf” has become its own industry … and it’s not going anywhere. Sponsorship exemptions from professional tournaments are gifted to YouTube golfers. Tommy Fleetwood suddenly decided to try playing golf left-handed … only on YouTube. Not to mention Bryson DeChambeau who recently revealed that he may be leaning less on LIV Golf and more on YouTube Golf.
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It’s on TV … more than ever. It may sound strange that TGL would push its season ahead of the NFL’s biggest football competition, kicking off its year on a winter Sunday afternoon, but look no further. There are not that many places available for viewing on television More sports. And golf continues to command more TV spots than most other sports. There is TGL on ESPN and (occasionally) ABC. It seems like every year there is more and more TV coverage of the Masters. There are opening rounds of PGA Tour play on ESPN+. LIV Golf fills the FOX Sports airwaves every summer. LPGA Tour coverage will be new and improved in 2026 thanks to a recent deal with FM Global and Trackman. Not to mention the pro game’s longtime bosses, NBC and CBS.
It’s on Reddit a lot. I’m glad you’re here, on GOLF.com reading the work that my colleagues and I have put together. But there are other places where you can find easy friendship, expert advice, travel tips, etc. for everyday golfers around the world. This is in a helluva connected game, and you can find that in abundance in places like Reddit’s Golf page. Residents post their latest scores, trips, tips, equipment finds, etc. There are feeds dedicated to pro golf, LIV Golf, and even talking points on popular golf podcasts. There is a lot out there. You just have to go find it.
It’s in your imagination. By that I mean custom. You can get your wedges printed just like the pros do. You can get any color grip you would like to see when you take the clubs out of your bag. For the longest time, all you could do was buy head covers, but now custom game features are everywhere. Golf shoes can be endlessly customized. Don’t just buy sneakers and wrap golf clubs around the soles. Whatever golf course you are looking for, you can find it in less than an hour online. We didn’t have that five years ago!
Golf is like a college class. Bring a roommate. We’ll make this our last note – which I like to call whenever I talk about the game. This is for hobbies, entertainment, sports, whatever – it’s just like going to college. You’re pursuing a degree and you’re surrounded by all kinds of others trying to do the same. You are probably very close to (and love to pursue closely) others on campus. Everything you have, and everyone is at different levels. Maybe you’re the one with snow, wearing a rope around your neck, still figuring out how to move the ball from right to left instead of left to right.
Maybe you’ve declared yourself a major and are taking entry-level classes in that field – like the golf swing. People ahead of you on the trip/courses ahead? They are in a 400 level class, studying Raynor and MacKenzie and Doak. Degree level stuff in that major? Those are the message boards at Golf Club Atlas. Or go down YouTube rabbit holes in agronomy.
Maybe you read too much. The 900-level classes will teach you about the different “P” positions of swing and the biomechanics of your body that goes with it. If that’s too much, of course, you can hang out on the quads as much as you like, playing with a wide selection of classes in whatever catches your eye. That’s the beauty of golf right now, on the eve of 2026. There are many ways to achieve it. Choose whichever you like best.
