Major Changes to Come in the Golf World

Major Changes to Come in the Golf World

James Caughlin

It was a fun year as golf descended into its own version of civil war, with the cashed up LIV Tour merging with the PGA bodies to unify the sport (allegedly).

Barbs had been traded on both sides of the divide with the LIV participants accused of selling out while the PGA players have been blamed for defending a broken product.

However after a big cash settlement, golf is back on the same page with a new, unified format and everyone hoping to make a lot more money.

As is the case with any of these deals, there will be compromise on both sides of the aisle with aspects of both tours set to feature heavily.

We’ve been able to get a sneak peek at the merger documents and have found some interesting features to expect from the unified game in 2024.

Rory and Tiger Have Every Right to Be Angry

Both of these guys turned down a LOT of money to stay with the PGA Tour, and now they have to watch as the departed players are welcomed back with open arms… and much fatter wallets.

The LIV Guys Pick Up the Dinner Cheque…. Every Single Time

Rory and Tiger weren’t the only ones to turn down the money, not that either is short of a dollar, but for the average joe on tour there has to be some sort of make good.

Whenever a group of pros head out to dinner at an event, there’s one simple rule for the foreseeable future, anyone who took the cash from LIV picks up the bill.

Especially if they can rack up a tab like some NFL teams do at the expense of the rookies.

Party Holes at Non-Major Events

We can leave the big events like the Masters and British Open as is, but at some of the second tier tournaments we can spice things up and make it interesting.

One of the highlights of the year comes in February at the Waste Management Open in Phoenix with the infamous Party Hole at the 16th.

Fans flock to the tee and line the fairway because unlike just about every other golf event, you can go wild here.

Maybe we can liven up some of the other domestic events by bringing in more party holes.

After all, who doesn’t love having a bunch of half cut New Yorkers screaming obscenities while some local DJ plays Daft Punk’s One More Time on an endless loop.

Minimum One Happy Gilmore Swing Per Round

This one is pretty self explanatory, every golf event is better with a Happy Gilmore shot off the tee.

https://twitter.com/AdamSandler/status/1361791030757007360?s=20

More Pro-Am Events

While we’re taking suggestions from a top five sports movie of all time, we need more Pro-Am events where golfers are paired up with celebrities.

Who wouldn’t like to see Bubba Watson get the crap kicked out of him by Drew Carey in the modern remake of this scene?

Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau Paired Together Once Per Month

And if the celebrities don’t want to get in on the on-course pugilism, restarting the rivalry between Koepka and DeChambeau will certainly bring in the viewers.

Patrick Reed Doesn’t Have to Play Out of Bunkers Anymore

No reason in particular, this was just a weird and oddly specific clause in the merger contract.

If he does hit it into the sand, he can just go the route most of us do on a Sunday morning and just launch it out with his arm.

Friday Rounds Must Be Played in One of Ian Poulter’s Shirts

He’s got a wide range of shirts to chuck on during a round and it’s pretty hard to miss him in his chosen attire, although some are a lot more fashionable than others.

But there’s surely one in his wardrobe he would be happy to hand out to whoever was willing to take it.

A Punching Bag with Greg Norman’s Face to be Installed at PGA HQ

As the face of the LIV Tour, Norman has caused plenty of grief for PGA officials so to alleviate those frustrations, they have asked for the LIV to fund a replacement for the original punching bag which was destroyed not long after the defection of Aussie Cameron Smith.

Turns out time does not heel all wounds.

Maybe when Norman meets with the PGA they can play this SNL clip from almost 30 years ago.

You can find some of Greg Norman’s best Instagram pics here.

All Fan Submitted Accusations of Cheating to be Treated with the Respect They Deserve

Which is quite frankly none.

It takes a special brand of pedantic to be sitting on your couch at home, rule book in hand, notice some minor infraction and decide to contact the officials because they apparently missed it.

That’s not to make it a free for all but let the game police itself.

This sort of stuff isn’t a good look for anyone.

Everyone Gets One “Give Up” Per Season

Ask any golfer on a public course on a weekend morning, some days you just don’t have it.

It even happens to the pros and once per year, before hole 6 in a round the golfer can just say “it’s not my day” and have the rest of the weekend off.

You might find a few of them taking those offers up in the Hawaiian events.