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Golf has never changed as fast as the world around it.
The game has stayed grounded in its roots for generations, evolving at a snail's pace to keep up with the times only when necessary. Now, golf is modernizing more quickly than at any time in its history. Technology is forcing the game to keep up with modern tastes or get left behind.
The golf boom following the pandemic is changing the landscape of who's playing and starting to prioritize what these younger, more casual golfers want from the game. These new players aren't necessarily married to rules or traditions. They just want to have a good time.
I can't blame them. I've always thought golf was too stuffy, too rigid. Traditionalists and purists are probably freaked out about what the future of golf might bring, but I'm a fan of what's coming. These are the five hottest trends in modern golf affecting daily life for amateurs like you and me.
Are you a fan or foe of this coming golf evolution? Let us know in the comments below.
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Indoor simulators
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Imagine being able to play golf at home. It's more doable, and perhaps more affordable, than you think these days. Pictured: A Full Swing residential setup. Courtesy of Full Swing This January's PGA Merchandise Show felt like it should be renamed the "Indoor Golf Simulator Show." The number of new (at least to me) simulator companies was staggering. If I were rich enough to afford one, the thought of researching which brand would be right would feel overwhelming. My inbox is stuffed with simulator press releases right now.
The January 2025 launch of the TGL simulator golf league - backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy - will only expedite the popularity of simulators.
Like flat-screen TVs before them, simulators seem to be dropping in price. Could they soon be affordable for the masses? The competition and the improving technology are making ownership slightly more affordable. Until then, businesses with indoor simulators are springing up everywhere - golf clubhouses, health clubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and standalone businesses like X-Golf. There's a new one near me - Sauced BBQ & Spirits in San Jose. I can't help but wonder: How many simulators is too many? I guess we'll eventually find out.
Which of these modern trends are you for or against? Let us know in the comments below.
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Music on the golf course
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Speakers that look like rocks bring music to the range at Grayhawk Golf Club. Courtesy photo LIV Golf is the most controversial topic in golf these days, but if we're talking strictly about the amateur game, then it's music. Is playing music on the golf course good or bad? It depends who you ask. Whenever we write about the subject, people get angry. Most golfers seem against it. Or maybe that's a reflection of the average age of our readers? Whatever side of the debate you support, music on the golf course will only continue to get louder and more frequent.
Personal speakers with Bluetooth compatibility make it so easy to connect to your smart phone's Spotify playlist. The same goes for the Shark Experience, which turns the golf cart into a mobile golf party bus. Courses are even adding permanent speakers to short courses (The Cradle at Pinehurst Resort and QuickSands at Gamble Sands), driving ranges (Grayhawk and Diamante) and putting courses (The Hay at Pebble Beach). Architect Forrest Richardson is building a course that will have its own soundtrack. What's next? I'm hoping it's a golf course with a speaker system on the first tee where you can plug in your iPhone and broadcast your favorite walkup song. Now that would be cool.
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Short courses
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The Chain's 4th hole plays back toward the Lodge. Tim Gavrich/GolfPass The trend of building short courses has been going on for a decade now, but the pandemic golf boom really kicked it into high gear. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail had the right vision in adding short courses to its Trail stops in the 1990s, although the execution was lacking. They were built too long and too hard, which also made them too expensive and take too much time to play. The best short courses are more affordable, take less than 90 minutes to play and encourage beginner and family golf, while, at the same time, providing enough enjoyment and challenge for more serious golfers.
Florida's Streamsong Resort, which opened its 13-hole The Chain for preview play late last year; and Cabot Citrus Farms, which opened The Wedge in January, are the latest editions to this trendy genre. Farther north, Michigan's The Highlands resort will debut its nine-hole, night-lit Doon Brae Course later this year. The successful formula for the short course craze is simple: You pay less money and take less time to shoot lower scores. That's a winning combination.
A note on trendy golf fashions
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Recent years have seen the golf glove turn from equipment into fashionable apparel, courtesy of companies like Asher. Brandon Tucker/GolfPass We could have included the fashion trend toward more casual attire in this story. Ultimately, we decided it's hard to call anything fashion related a "trend" because much of it fades away as a fad. Regardless, professional golfers who wear high-top shoes (Rickie Fowler), joggers (Justin Thomas) and hoodies (everybody else) are proving that comfortable clothes can still look classy enough for the golf course.
Considering Loudmouth Golf turns 25 next year, loud colors and bold fashions are not new. That look, though, is moving more mainstream because: 1, Golf is getting younger; 2, Virtually anybody can launch a unique golf clothing line and gain traction through social media; and 3, the age of Instagram and social media requires you stand out from the crowd. Golfers can peacock wild colors and wacky patterns on anything from sunglasses to golf gloves and shoes. To be honest, we don't care what you wear, as long as you keep pace and have fun on the course.
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Golf range technology
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Toptracer Range provides a hangout experience like Topgolf. Courtesy photo We wrote about the coming wave of golf range technology in a recent story. Trackman, Toptracer and Inrange are all trying to change the way golfers look at the range and practice. These tracking technologies aim to make hitting balls more fun, interactive and educational. As long as the costs to install the technology and use the range doesn't weigh too heavily on the customer's wallet, we're all for it. The chance to compete in different games, "play" a famous course, dial in carry distances or track data is definitely an upgrade from just banging balls.
![Trackman Range at the Club at Boulder Ridge]()
7 Min ReadMarch 18, 2024Golf ranges - at clubs and standalone facilities - are turning to technology to engage golfers to practice more and turn a profit.![jasondeeganga.jpg]()
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Night golf
![Capital One's The Match IX]()
The Park West Palm was the most compelling venue The Match has visited so far.. Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images Night golf is no longer just some wacky, once-a-year experience with glow balls. Don't believe me? This year's two biggest televised golf exhibitions - Capital One's The Match in Florida and the Good Good Desert Open in Arizona - were held under the lights. The Park West Palm, home to one of the dozen of really good night golf courses that have opened within the past five years (The Lit 9), hosted The Match. Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills, site of the Good Good Desert Open, has plans for nationwide expansion. I've been an advocating for this swell of interest, writing extensively about night golf the past 5 years. Try it. You'll love it like I do.
Comments (6)
My "Fave 5"
(from "first to worst")
#1 - Short courses
#2 - Indoor simulators
#3 - Night Golf
#4 - Golf range technology
#5 - Music on the golf course
Indoor golf seems to be a perfect addition to the ultimate garden den. A great way to entertain friends whatever the weather or time of day.
I like the older golf traditions , sometimes I think there (whoever there is) are trying to turn golf into cage boxing atmosphere, for more revenue
I agree!
Golf use to be a place of solitude, a communion with nature and a place to get away with some business associates, good friends, fellow members and family. What gives? Take your "COOL" somewhere else.
Yes golf was a sport where you could get away form it all...leave all the loud noise levels, and hype at the Driving range