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The most viral golf moments of 2021

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There were a handful of humorous moments at the 2021 Masters, but this moment from Hideki’s caddie was as wholesome as they get.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Check out that hair. Next up, we have some golf action in Tokyo.

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.

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.

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.

Bryson got a lot of attention in September, as he competed in the World Long Drive after the Ryder Cup.

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.

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.

And just when we thought that would be the biggest golf moment of the day, Tiger posted this.

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.

Three days later, Tiger committed to the PNC Championship, and the golf world once again exploded.

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.

This article originally appeared on Golf.com.

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The History Behind Augusta National

Home to The Masters, is a symbol of golf’s beauty and tradition—but its history also tells a story of exclusion, evolution, and progress.
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January 2, 2025

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Augusta National Golf Club, nestled in the heart of Georgia, is one of the most famous and storied venues in golf. Its lush fairways, blooming azaleas, and towering pines have made it synonymous with elegance and tradition. But behind the iconic beauty of this golf sanctuary lies a complex and, at times, contentious history.

The Beginnings of Augusta National

In 1931, famed amateur golfer Bobby Jones, alongside investment banker Clifford Roberts, founded Augusta National on the grounds of a former indigo plantation in Augusta, Georgia. The course was designed by Alister MacKenzie, a visionary architect whose intent was to create a course that tested both physical skill and strategic thinking. By 1934, Augusta National was ready to host its first tournament, which would later be known as The Masters—an event that would grow to become one of the four major championships in golf.

The Masters and Its Traditions

From the beginning, The Masters was a tournament like no other. Its traditions—such as the Green Jacket awarded to winners and the honorary tee shots by legendary golfers—were designed to set it apart. However, the exclusivity of Augusta National extended beyond its traditions and into its membership policies, shaping a more complicated legacy.

A History of Segregation

For decades, Augusta National adhered to strict segregationist policies, reflecting the prevailing social norms of the American South. African American golfers were barred from playing in The Masters until Lee Elder broke the color barrier in 1975, becoming the first Black golfer to compete in the tournament. While Elder’s participation was a watershed moment, Augusta’s issues with inclusion persisted.

The club’s membership remained exclusively white until 1990, when businessman Ron Townsend became its first Black member. This milestone came after years of external pressure and public scrutiny, highlighting the tension between tradition and progress.

“Men Only” and the Fight for Gender Inclusion

Similarly, Augusta National maintained a “men only” policy for its members well into the 21st century. This policy became a flashpoint for criticism during the early 2000s when activist Martha Burk publicly challenged the club’s exclusion of women. It wasn’t until 2012, under mounting societal and corporate pressure, that Augusta National admitted its first two female members—former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and business executive Darla Moore.

A Legacy in Transition

Today, Augusta National continues to evolve, balancing its historical traditions with a more inclusive approach to the future. While its past is marked by exclusivity, its efforts to embrace diversity are gradually reshaping its identity. The Masters remains a symbol of excellence in golf, drawing players and fans from around the world, while the club’s history serves as a reminder of the work required to make the game of golf truly inclusive.

Augusta National is more than just a golf course; it is a cultural institution that mirrors the complexities of the society around it. As The Masters continues to captivate audiences, the story of Augusta National reflects both the beauty and the challenges inherent in preserving tradition while striving for progress.

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Swinging into the New Year

Golf Resolutions You’ll Probably Break by February
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December 26, 2024

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Ah, New Year’s resolutions—that time-honored tradition where we make promises to ourselves, armed with nothing but good intentions and the fleeting optimism of January 1st. For golfers, this is when we vow to fix our slices, improve our short game, and finally learn how to use the driver properly (instead of just blaming it for our poor aim). But let’s be honest: golf resolutions are like bunker shots—great in theory, but tricky to pull off.

Still, hope springs eternal, and the New Year is the perfect time to dream big. Let’s tee it up and take a swing at the golf resolutions we’d love to keep… but probably won’t.

This Year, I’m Hitting the Fairway.

Every golfer’s dream. You stand on the tee box, stare down the fairway, and picture your ball landing gracefully in the middle. You know, instead of careening into the trees or ricocheting off a sprinkler head into the clubhouse parking lot. But by the second round of the year, you’re back to muttering, “Play it where it lies,” while wading through knee-high rough. Hey, it’s the thought that counts.

I’m Going to Practice My Putting… Seriously This Time.

Every year, we promise ourselves that the short game is where we’ll shine. “No more three-putts!” we say, convinced that with just a little practice, we’ll master those pesky 10-footers. Fast-forward to March, and your putting practice has been reduced to rolling balls across the living room carpet, dodging the dog and hoping no one notices your “training” involves a coffee mug as the hole.

I’ll Stay Calm on the Course.

Ah, the noble resolution to embrace serenity. You’re a zen master, calmly accepting every mishit and bad bounce with grace. That is, until you chunk a chip shot into the bunker you just escaped, and suddenly serenity is replaced with creative combinations of four-letter words. Golf is a test of patience, after all, and nothing says personal growth like learning to love double bogeys.

No More Buying Clubs to Fix My Game.

Every golfer knows the allure of shiny new gear. You tell yourself that this club is the one—your magical Excalibur that will fix your swing and lower your scores. This year, you swear off impulse buys and commit to working with the clubs you already own. By April, you’re drooling over the latest driver that promises an extra 10 yards and a straighter ball flight, credit card in hand. Resistance is futile.

I’ll Finally Learn the Rules of Golf.

Sure, you know the basics: don’t cheat, yell “fore,” and never talk in someone’s backswing. But when it comes to the finer points—like how to drop a ball after it lands in the drink—you’re winging it. Every year, you promise to read the rulebook. And every year, it sits on the shelf, pristine and untouched, because let’s be honest—Google exists for a reason.

This Year, I’ll Play More Rounds.

The ultimate resolution for any golfer. “I’ll hit the course every weekend,” you declare, imagining endless sunny days and perfect swings. Then life gets in the way—work, family, weather, and the realization that golf takes five hours, plus a nap to recover. Suddenly, “more rounds” turns into “well, I’ll watch the Masters.”

Why Resolutions Matter (Even If They Don’t Stick)

Here’s the thing: golf is a game of eternal hope. Every round begins with the belief that today will be different. Your drives will be straighter, your putts will drop, and your scorecard will look less like a math problem. New Year’s resolutions are the same. They’re not about perfection—they’re about the optimism that keeps us coming back, swing after swing, year after year.

So go ahead, make those resolutions. Dream big. Promise to break 80 (or just 100). Swear off the slice and commit to fixing your tempo. Will you keep them? Probably not. But in golf, as in life, it’s not about the end result—it’s about the pursuit. And hey, if all else fails, there’s always 2025.

Now get out there and start the year strong… even if it ends with a mulligan. Happy New Year, golfers!

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Exploring the World of Indoor Simulators

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December 23, 2024

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Imagine teeing off at St. Andrews, tackling the iconic Amen Corner at Augusta National, or conquering Pebble Beach’s breathtaking oceanfront holes—all without leaving your home. Thanks to indoor golf simulators, this dream is now a reality. Modern technology has revolutionized how we experience the game, making it possible to play courses from around the world in stunning detail. Let’s dive into the world of golf simulators, their incredible realism, and how you can bring one into your home.

Play the World from Anywhere

Golf simulators offer players the chance to experience legendary courses without hopping on a plane or even driving to the local range. Using high-definition visuals, advanced sensors, and real-time feedback, simulators recreate the experience of playing on real-world courses. You can virtually stand on the first tee at courses like Royal Troon or Bethpage Black, with every bunker, green contour, and hazard accurately represented.

The experience is immersive and highly customizable. Want to adjust the wind, weather, or difficulty? No problem. Simulators allow you to practice specific shots, refine your swing, or just enjoy a casual round with friends—all while enjoying the comfort of being indoors.

How Far Technology Has Come

Gone are the days of pixelated graphics and clunky interfaces. Today’s simulators use cutting-edge technology, including:

  • Ultra-HD Graphics: Simulators now feature breathtaking visuals that mimic the exact look of the course, down to individual blades of grass.
  • Advanced Ball Tracking: Using radar, infrared sensors, or cameras, these systems capture every detail of your shot, including ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, and more.
  • Swing Analysis: Simulators like TrackMan or SkyTrak provide instant feedback on your swing mechanics, making them invaluable tools for improvement.

The realism is so advanced that professional golfers use simulators to train during the off-season. From the feel of the turf to the precise replication of putting greens, the gap between real and virtual golf is closing fast.

Bring the Course Home

Installing a golf simulator at home has never been more accessible. Whether you’re a casual player or a serious enthusiast, there’s a setup for every budget and space.

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  • Basic Setups: Portable systems like the OptiShot 2 are affordable and easy to set up in small spaces. They provide a solid introduction to indoor golf.
  • Mid-Range Systems: Options like SkyTrak offer more detailed data and a wider range of courses, perfect for improving your game.
  • High-End Simulators: TrackMan and Foresight Sports simulators are the gold standard, offering unmatched accuracy and realism. These setups require more space and investment but provide a premium experience.

Many setups include a projector, impact screen, and turf mat, creating a dedicated golf space in your home. Got a spare room, basement, or garage? You’re halfway there.

The Rise of VR in Golf

Virtual reality is taking indoor golf to a whole new level. Using VR headsets like the Meta Quest or HTC Vive, players can immerse themselves in a fully 3D environment. With VR, you can physically walk the course, interact with the environment, and feel as though you’re truly there.

VR-based golf simulators like “Golf+” or “Pro Putt by Topgolf” are gaining popularity, combining realistic physics with a fun, interactive experience. It’s an exciting frontier that brings a fresh, futuristic dimension to the game.

Indoor golf simulators and VR technology have transformed how we play and practice golf. Whether you’re a weekend warrior looking for some off-season practice or a passionate golfer dreaming of playing bucket-list courses, simulators offer something for everyone. So why not bring the game you love into your home? The future of golf is here, and it’s more accessible and exciting than ever.

Ready to play? Your dream course is just a swing away.

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