When I was tasked with this task, I wasn’t sure where to start. Why would 2026 be better than 2025? Was 2025 better than 2024? Can I explain even if it was?
Those questions came back into existence and soon led to more – for the greater world of golf, but also for myself. And the truth is, the answer to why 2026 could be golf’s best year ever is always deeply personal. More journal than Excel document.
So to answer the question for you, I stepped back. I zoomed in as wide as it could be. And suddenly there were some pretty clear answers to why now (and next year) is better than ever for golfers, fans, etc. My thoughts are rooted in this truth: golf is everywhere you look.
It’s on Instagram. LeBron James’ Instagramto be precise. The sport has officially captured one of the most famous personalities on the planet and is sure to hold onto it for many years to come. But if you paid attention others athletes and celebrities, golf is kind of everyone’s favorite. Justin Bieber. Kelce brothers. Catherine Zeta-Jones. yes, The President of the United States.
It’s on YouTube. Golf is so much on YouTube that the phrase “YouTube Golf” has become its own industry … and it’s not going anywhere. Sponsor exemptions to professional tournaments are granted to YouTube players. Tommy Fleetwood has suddenly decided to try playing golf with his left hand … exclusively on YouTube. To say nothing of Bryson DeChambeau recently hinting that he may be leaning less towards running LIV Golf and more fully into YouTube Golf.
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It’s on TV … more than ever. It may have felt strange that TGL would push its season forward into greater competition with NFL football, literally starting its year on a Sunday afternoon in the winter, but look around. There aren’t that many spots available to be televised more sports. And golf continues to garner more TV spots than many other sports. There’s TGL on ESPN and (occasionally) ABC. There is increasing television coverage of the Masters seemingly every year. There are opening rounds of PGA Tour play on ESPN+. LIV Golf fills the FOX Sports airwaves frequently during the summer. LPGA Tour broadcasts will be new and improved in 2026 thanks to a recent deal with FM Global and Trackman. To say nothing of the pro game’s longtime guardians, NBC and CBS.
It’s on Reddit a lot. I’m glad you’re here at GOLF.com reading the work with my colleagues. But there are other places where you can find simple companionship, expert advice, travel tips, etc. by everyday players around the world. This one is helluva sports related and you can find it in bulk on places like Reddit’s Golf page. Regulars there post about their latest results, trips, tips, gear finds, etc. There are resources dedicated to the golf pro, LIV Golf, and even talking points on popular golf podcasts. There are many out there. You just have to go find it.
It’s in your imagination. By that I mean it’s customizable. You can print your own wedges just like the pros. You can get whatever color you want to see when you draw sticks from your bag. For the longest time, all you could do was buy weird headgear, but now custom gameplay elements are everywhere. Golf shoes are infinitely customizable. You can just buy sneakers and screw little golf clips on the heels. Whatever golf look you want, you can get it in about an hour online. We didn’t have that five years ago!
Golf is like a college class. Bring your roommate with you. We’ll make this our last note – it’s one I like to mention often when talking about the game. This hobby, recreation, sport, whatever – it’s like going to college. You’re looking for a degree and you’re surrounded by all kinds of others who are trying to do the same. You are probably very close to (and enjoy following along with) several others on campus. It’s all at your disposal, and they’re all at different levels. Maybe you’re cold, wearing the rope around your neck and still figuring out how to move the ball from right to left instead of just left to right.
Maybe you’ve declared your major and are taking entry-level classes in that area—like golf driving. People ahead of you on the travel/course front? They are in the 400 level class, studying Raynor and MacKenzie and Doak. Graduate level stuff in that regard? These are the message boards at Atlas Golf Club. Or diving down YouTube rabbit holes in agronomy.
Maybe you’re more into learning. 900 level classes will teach you about the different “P” positions of the swing and the biomechanics of your body that go along with it. If that’s too much, yes, you can hang out in the squares as much as you like, dealing with a variety of elective classes for whatever strikes your fancy. This is the brilliance of golf now, on the eve of 2026. There are so many ways to get into it. Choose the one you like the most.
