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The most viral golf moments of 2021
We all know that Tiger moves the needle in the world of golf, but there were plenty of other moments in 2021 that sent us all into a frenzy. I’m here to remind you of the stories you forgot about and the stories that the pros probably wish they could forget about. Without further ado, here’s the funny, the heartwarming, the good and the bad viral moments of 2021.
January
The year in golf started off on an interesting note. Was mercury in retrograde? Are golfers just strange sometimes? Tom Watson somehow came up with a new way to wear headphones, and thus the first Golf Meme of 2021 was born.
February
The golf world stood still on February 23 when Woods was involved in a serious car crash in Los Angeles. There was an outpouring of love and support from across the globe, and many pros chose to wear Sunday red in honor of Woods the following Sunday.
Most people have a tough time pulling off the red-and-black look. Tommy Fleetwood is not most people. This man looks glorious pic.twitter.com/z0phrtvHFa— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) February 28, 2021
Seemed fitting for tomorrow after the kind of week we’ve had… Black and red on Sunday for TW! pic.twitter.com/TOUcWnUf1p— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) February 28, 2021
Sunday red ❤️@ANNIKA59 | @PGATOUR | @GainbridgeLPGA pic.twitter.com/o2FHDPPUGf— LPGA (@LPGA) February 28, 2021
It’s a @TigerWoods Sunday for the maintenance staff at the @PuertoRicoOpen. @PGATOUR pic.twitter.com/OheyF4o1N8— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) February 28, 2021
?#NEW: Jason Day, Justin Thomas, Min Woo Lee and Sebastian Munoz arrive on Sunday red ?⚫️ pic.twitter.com/ZPa3dMtlLT— TWLEGION (@TWlegion) February 28, 2021
A last-minute shopping trip to buy a red shirt with a logo he never thought he’d wear. All worth it in support of Tiger. pic.twitter.com/KAqDYD0ArW— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) March 1, 2021
It is hard to explain how touching today was when I turned on the tv and saw all the red shirts. To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time.— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 1, 2021
March
Love him or hate him, Bryson DeChambeau’s drives are fun to watch. At Bay Hill, DeChambeau took an outrageous line on the 565-yard, dogleg par-5 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational not once, but twice. It’s safe to say the fans were excited over his two 370-plus-yard drives.
370 yards. ??
The longest drive on the 6th hole since 2003.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/zkL2jlU8S3— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 6, 2021
Drive: 377 yards.
Distance to the pin: 88 yards.@B_DeChambeau does it again at No. 6.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/HYSyDvQCMm— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 7, 2021
On to the Players Championship. Call it the fifth major or whatever you want, the event is one of the most exciting of the year. That combined with the Twitter star that is Ben An, and you’ve got yourself this funny viral moment.
@ByeongHunAn https://t.co/BqQcee3cwo— Byeong Hun An (@ByeongHunAn) March 11, 2021
Thank you https://t.co/0EWKvRFU8T— Byeong Hun An (@ByeongHunAn) March 12, 2021
Ok, ok. Perhaps it wasn’t funny for An in the moment. Carding an 11 anywhere is no laughing matter … until a few hours later. An handled it perfectly.
April
We’ve always had the Masters to look forward to in April, but now we have the Augusta National Women’s Amateur as well. Before we get into that, we must address the two former World No. 1’s who re-entered the winner’s circle.
After 1,351 days, he’s back in the winner’s circle. ?
Jordan Spieth earns his 12th PGA Tour victory and first win since the 2017 Open Championship at the Valero Texas Open. pic.twitter.com/WBGEcDeZAv— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) April 4, 2021
On to Masters week. After breaking the color barrier at the Masters in 1975, Lee Elder made history at Augusta once again in 2021 when he joined Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as an honorary starter.
Will Zalatoris turned heads all week at the Masters, not just because he was contending. People noticed that he resembles one of the caddies from Happy Gilmore, and even Adam Sandler got involved in the bit.
If you’re ever in need of a caddie again let me know. I’ll be better this time. I’m always available for you, Mr. Gilmore. https://t.co/R1e8awZIvh— Will Zalatoris (@WillZalatoris) April 12, 2021
There were a handful of humorous moments at the 2021 Masters, but this moment from Hideki’s caddie was as wholesome as they get.
Hideki Matsuyama’s caddie, Shota Hayafuji, removing his hat and bowing his head after returning the pin.
Quite an image. pic.twitter.com/chUVA9XRTF— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) April 11, 2021
Masters week ended with two Japanese winners: Hideki Matsuyama and Tsubasa Kajitani.
The morning after his Masters victory, Mastuyama was photographed looking like any old guy at the airport … with the addition of a green jacket, of course.
The Masters may have ended on the 11th, but there were still a handful of big golf moments later in the month. For instance, the birth of the famous LPGA hoodie.
The Player Impact Program news broke in April, as well. Golf Twitter hasn’t been the same since.
PGA Tour’s new incentive plan is schoolyard math, and it makes perfect sense — cool kids keep their lunch money. https://t.co/Zts9apfnFq via @golfweek— Eamon Lynch (@eamonlynch) April 21, 2021
And finally, Tiger posted his first photo since his accident on April 23.
May
The PGA Championship provided a plethora of viral moments, starting with Phil and the drone. Hey, when you’re on your way to becoming the oldest major champion of all-time, you can request whatever you want.
“Can you please move that drone from my flight?
“Not only is it annoying, but it’s gonna hit it.”
SICK pic.twitter.com/XYT13yjH31— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) May 22, 2021
It wouldn’t be a proper golf tournament without some sort of Brooks and Bryson interaction, which is exactly what we got at Kiawah. That came in the form of a leaked video. It’s been taken down from most platforms, but I was able to find one living copy of it here.
I could’ve dedicated this entire article to viral Brooks and Bryson moments from 2021, but you can learn all about that here. And for our last PGA Championship viral moment, Phil took to Twitter to celebrate his win.
June
June got off to an unfortunate start when Jon Rahm tested positive for COVID-19 with a six-shot lead at the Memorial.
Jon Rahm was forced to withdraw from the Memorial seconds after completing his third round due to a positive Covid-19 test. https://t.co/7sQN6CLWbT— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) June 5, 2021
Then things took an interesting turn when the Premier Golf League published this open letter to the world of golf. I’m still not entirely sure what to make of it.
An open letter to the world of golf from the PGL team
Find out more ? https://t.co/rXO4jz389C pic.twitter.com/NuJYKf4ZrJ— Premier Golf League (@premgolfleague) June 8, 2021
On to the U.S. Open. First, Viktor Hovland withdrew due to sand in his eye and then wrote a hilarious Instagram caption to explain the situation.
And then outgoing USGA executive Mike Davis caddied for marker Jason Gore in Round 3.
We can’t forget the two insanely clutch putts that earned Rahm his first major title.
Last but not least, Phil Mickelson spent some time with Kelley Cahill Rahm and Kepa Rahm while Jon hit balls in case of a potential playoff.
Phil bringing over a chair for Kelly and the baby to sit and watch Rahm hit balls is the sweetest ? @PhilMickelson @usopengolf pic.twitter.com/aE4x09AVl3— Kira K. Dixon (@KiraDixon) June 21, 2021
“I didn’t sign up for a Phireside chat” pic.twitter.com/bVtqvQRdBt— claire rogers (@kclairerogers) June 21, 2021
Nelly Korda capped off the month of June by winning her first major at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and becoming the World No. 1.
MAJOR CHAMPION.
Nelly Korda makes history in Atlanta at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship ? pic.twitter.com/AWncpUzsGG— LPGA (@LPGA) June 27, 2021
July
Ah, Open Championship month and the start of the Olympics. July delivered a handful of viral moments. Let’s start with Paul Larsen, head greenskeeper at Royal St. George’s.
This is Royal St. George’s head greenskeeper ? pic.twitter.com/kIMiuH6EMV— LKD (@LukeKerrDineen) July 14, 2021
Check out that hair. Next up, we have some golf action in Tokyo.
Went into the Olympic village for a nice workout last night. Safe to say there weren’t many athletes fighting me for the 20 lb dumbbells ?— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) July 26, 2021
Relatable. And although Patrick Reed got a late start, he arrived to the games in style.
August
It’s safe to say it was REALLY hot at the women’s Olympic golf tournament. So hot, in fact, that some players wore cooling vests to combat the extreme temperatures.
Some golf moments seem like they happened just yesterday. Rory throwing his 3-wood at Liberty National is one of those moments.
Why did Rory McIlroy spend so much time hitting 3-woods on the range yesterday?
“I threw my 3-wood onto the New Jersey Turnpike off the 9th hole on Monday, so I was without a 3-wood coming here,” he said.
“If someone wants to go get a 3-wood, there’s one in there somewhere.”— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) August 25, 2021
September
The month of team golf. Let’s kick things off with a look back at the Solheim Cup. It’s safe to say it was a fun time, and the European Team went back-to-back.
Macarena dance time with @carlotagolf on the first tee ? pic.twitter.com/Wep5o22j0j— The Solheim Cup (@TheSolheimCup) September 6, 2021
.@SolheimCupEuro wins back-to-back Solheim Cup! ? pic.twitter.com/264saO1vEl— The Solheim Cup (@TheSolheimCup) September 6, 2021
Up next: iron covers. I know most of the golf world shuns them, but we found one exception in September. Pro Aaron Rai uses them, and for good reason.
And now over to the Ryder Cup. There were a lot of viral moments that occurred at Whistling Straits, so for time’s sake, I’ll present each without comment.
No. 23 at the 43rd Ryder Cup. ? pic.twitter.com/EHnPrfBEa4— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) September 24, 2021
Teammates hug. pic.twitter.com/KfIUrJRzEg— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) September 26, 2021
Bryson got a lot of attention in September, as he competed in the World Long Drive after the Ryder Cup.
403 yards.
Bryson WINS heat 3. He’s going nuts on the tee box pic.twitter.com/AL6aevkDQP— James Colgan (@jamescolgan26) September 28, 2021
October
On October 16, K.H. Lee, a golfer who I previously knew very little about, became my hero.
Next up is Brian Morris, the head pro at Ocean View Golf Course in Bermuda, who is battling inoperable brain cancer and teed it up in the Bermuda Championship.
For nearly two years, Brian Morris has undergone chemotherapy every three weeks.
He has terminal cancer.@Bermuda_Champ granted the 53-year-old Bermudian pro a sponsor’s exemption.
He’ll live out his lifelong dream this week. pic.twitter.com/VyDUxWTMkb— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 25, 2021
“My outlet is golf and I think that I’m better for it.”
Brian Morris’ dream of playing on the PGA TOUR becomes a reality today @Bermuda_Champ.
The local pro has been battling stage IV cancer for nearly two years. pic.twitter.com/nPHphxhtrP— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 28, 2021
And finally, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen dressed up as Phil Mickelson for Halloween.
November
First up is Rory’s ripped shirt at the European Tour finale.
Frustrations boiled over for Rory after a final-round 74.
(Via @tourmiss) pic.twitter.com/adHruD8T7u— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) November 21, 2021
And just when we thought that would be the biggest golf moment of the day, Tiger posted this.
Making progress pic.twitter.com/sVQkxEHJmq— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) November 21, 2021
A week and a half later, Tiger had his first press conference in nine months in November at the Hero World Challenge.
December
The Hero World Challenge was still underway when the calendar turned to December, and all of Golf Twitter lost their minds when Tiger was seen hitting balls in Sunday red.
Missed that Sunday Red.pic.twitter.com/DD0AOIJ6y1— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) December 5, 2021
Three days later, Tiger committed to the PNC Championship, and the golf world once again exploded.
Although it’s been a long and challenging year, I am very excited to close it out by competing in the @PNCchampionship with my son Charlie. I’m playing as a Dad and couldn’t be more excited and proud.— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) December 8, 2021
Nelly Korda won a major and an Olympic gold this year. She might be the best female golfer in the world! So watching her geek out over meeting Tiger Woods was the best thing I saw today pic.twitter.com/c2HPOMhs3C— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) December 19, 2021
Nelly Korda won a major and an Olympic gold this year. She might be the best female golfer in the world! So watching her geek out over meeting Tiger Woods was the best thing I saw today pic.twitter.com/c2HPOMhs3C— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) December 19, 2021
❤️pic.twitter.com/UsfLTtULnG— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) December 19, 2021
And finally, I’ll leave you with this PGA Tour-DP World Tour collab that is so, so good. Happy New Year, everyone. Here’s to more golf virality in 2022.
It’s year-end review time… pic.twitter.com/6GhXaI6127— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) December 27, 2021
This article originally appeared on Golf.com.
Blog
The Unofficial Rules of Golf: A Gentleman’s Guide to Not Being Judge Smails
The official rulebook is thicker than a dictionary and twice as boring. Let’s talk about the rules that really matter on the course: how to have fun, respect the game, and not be a stick-in-the-mud. Hint: It involves less plaid and more cosmic harmony.
You’ve seen him. I’ve seen him. The guy who quotes the USGA rulebook like it’s scripture. He’ll happily tell you your ball moved a quarter of an inch when you addressed it, costing you a penalty stroke. He’s got a plumb bob for a three-foot putt and the personality of a rake. He is, in spirit, Judge Smails. And let’s be honest, nobody wants to be Judge Smails.
The real game of golf, the one that keeps us coming back, isn’t played by those rules. It’s played by a higher law. An unwritten code of conduct that’s all about flow, friendship, and the pursuit of that one perfect shot. It’s a gentleman’s agreement with the universe.
So, let’s talk about the rules that actually matter.
1. The Cosmic Readjustment (aka The Mulligan). Your first tee shot is a mess. It goes sideways into the woods where the gophers play. The Smails of the world would tell you to take a penalty and hack it out. I say the universe is just getting warmed up. The “breakfast ball” isn’t cheating; it’s a course correction. It’s an agreement among friends that a round of golf shouldn’t be ruined before it even begins. Take another. The Dalai Lama would want you to.
2. The Art of Flow (aka Pace of Play). This isn’t about rushing. Rushing is a fool’s game. This is about flow. It’s about being ready to hit when it’s your turn. It’s about watching your friend’s shot so you can help them find it. It’s about moving with a purpose, not like you’re searching for your car keys in a dark parking lot. Don’t be the anchor that drags the whole group down. See the line, hit the ball, walk on. Nanananana.
3. The Circle of Friendship (aka Gimmes). Is the putt inside the leather? Good enough. Pick it up. Life is too short to watch your buddies sweat over an 18-inch putt for a double bogey. A gimme isn’t just a time-saver; it’s a gesture of goodwill. It says, “I trust you, you trust me, and neither of us needs the anxiety of missing this tiny putt.” It’s good for the karma, and even better for the pace of play.
4. The Final Verdict (aka The 19th Hole). The most important rule is this: no matter what happened out there, you shake hands on the 18th green and settle things over a cold drink at the 19th. The guy who shot an 82 and the guy who shot a 102 are equals in the clubhouse. The stories get better, the putts get longer, and the bad shots fade away. This is where the real game is won.
So, forget about the fine print. Focus on the feeling. Be a good playing partner, enjoy the walk, and don’t be a Smails. You’ll find your score starts to take care of itself.
Did this speak to your soul? Pass it along to your foursome to make sure everyone is on the same page. For more deep thoughts from the fairway, be sure to follow us on social media. It’s the right thing to do.
Blog
When Golf Gadgets Fail: Navigating Common Tech Mishaps on the Golf Course
A Look at What Happens When Modern Golf Gadgets Go Wrong
Imagine this: you’re on the golf course, teeing off on a beautiful, sunny day. With the help of your trusty golf gadget, you’re confident you’ll hit a birdie or even an eagle. But just when you’re about to swing, your gadget malfunctions. Suddenly, your perfect game is thrown into chaos. Welcome to the world of technology fails, where even the most advanced golf devices can sometimes let you down. In this article, we’ll explore some common tech fails and provide some tips on how to handle them.
When Golf Gadgets Let You Down
Modern golf devices, from smart clubs to digital scorecards to GPS-enabled watches, have revolutionized the game. They provide golfers with real-time data, helping them refine their swing, choose the right club, and navigate the course. But what happens when these devices fail?
Unreliable Data
One of the most common golf gadget fails is inaccurate or unreliable data. GPS devices might show the wrong distance to the pin, swing analyzers might give incorrect feedback, and digital scorecards might miscalculate your score. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re relying on these devices to improve your game.
Battery Drain
Another common issue is battery drain. Many golf gadgets require a significant amount of power, and if they’re not properly charged, they can die in the middle of a game. This leaves you without the data you need to make informed decisions on the course.
Technical Glitches and Malfunctions
Sometimes, golf devices just stop working. They might freeze, crash, or refuse to turn on. These technical glitches can be caused by software bugs, hardware issues, or even user error.
Preventing Golf Gadget Fails
While it’s impossible to prevent all golf gadget fails, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk.
Regular Updates
Keeping your devices updated can help prevent software-related issues. Regular updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can enhance the performance of your device.
Proper Charging
To avoid battery-related problems, make sure to fully charge your devices before hitting the course. Some devices also have power-saving modes that can help extend battery life.
Backup Plan
It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case your devices fail. This might mean carrying a traditional scorecard or having a basic understanding of how to calculate distances without a GPS.
When Gadgets Go Wrong: The Bottom Line
Golf gadgets are a fantastic tool for any golfer looking to improve their game. However, like all technology, they can sometimes fail. By understanding the common issues and how to prevent them, you can ensure you’re prepared for any tech-related hiccups on the course. After all, golf is about more than just the gadgets—it’s about the experience, the skill, and the love of the game.
Blog
Mastering the Art of Overcoming Choking under Pressure: Strategies for Peak Performance
Learn the skills needed to stay calm under pressure.
Imagine this: you’ve spent countless hours honing your skills, preparing for that big presentation, important meeting, or decisive sports match. But, when the big moment arrives, instead of performing at your best, your mind goes blank, your hands shake, and you flub it. The dreaded phenomenon of ‘choking under pressure’ can strike anyone, from the seasoned professional to the eager amateur. So, how do you overcome this common mental roadblock? In this article, we’ll explore effective strategies to help you conquer the fear of choking and elevate your performance under pressure.
Understanding Choking under Pressure
Before you can overcome choking, it’s crucial to understand what it is. Psychologists define choking as performing below your ability under pressure. This can be due to heightened anxiety, overthinking, or fear of failure. The irony is, the more you care about performing well, the more likely you are to choke.
Why Do We Choke?
Several factors contribute to choking under pressure. Here are a few:
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- Fear of Negative Evaluation: The fear of being judged negatively by others can cause significant anxiety, leading to poor performance.
- High Stakes: When the stakes are high, and the outcome is important, the pressure can cause you to underperform.
- Overthinking: The tendency to scrutinize every detail in high-pressure situations can divert your focus from the task at hand.
Strategies to Overcome Choking
Now that we understand why we choke, let’s delve into strategies to prevent it:
- Practice Under Pressure: Simulate high-pressure situations during practice to acclimate yourself to the stress.
- Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome: Concentrating on the process helps keep your mind focused and prevents overthinking.
- Use Positive Affirmations: Positive self-talk can boost your confidence and reduce anxiety.
Case Studies: Athletes Overcoming Choking
Many successful athletes have overcome choking to deliver exceptional performances. Take Michael Jordan, for example. He often missed crucial shots early in his career but used these failures to fuel his determination and eventually became renowned for his clutch performances. Similarly, Serena Williams has bounced back from choking in several matches to claim victory, demonstrating her mental toughness.
Choking under pressure is a common phenomenon, but with the right strategies, it can be overcome. By understanding the causes of choking and implementing techniques like practicing under pressure, focusing on the process, and using positive affirmations, you can learn to perform at your best when it counts the most. Remember, it’s not about never feeling pressure; it’s about learning how to thrive within it.
As Michael Jordan said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” So, next time you face a high-pressure situation, think of it as an opportunity to grow, not a threat to be feared.
If you’ve enjoyed this article and want to learn more about mastering your mental game, subscribe to our newsletter for more tips and strategies. Or, if you’re ready to take your mental toughness to the next level, check out our other articles designed to help you conquer pressure and perform at your peak.
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