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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.

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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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On the Importance of Not Caring: A Guide to Lowering Your Score

Worry causes many issues. When you are able to just stop, a wonderful thing happens. Follow this guide from Ty Webb to learn more.
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July 14, 2025

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They say golf is a game of mental fortitude, of unwavering focus, of meticulous planning. They say you must visualize the shot, commit to the swing, and execute with precision. And to them, I say, “Hogwash!” Or perhaps, “A flute with no holes, is not a flute. A donut with no hole, is a Danish.” Because, my friends, the true secret to lowering your score, to achieving that elusive state of golfing nirvana, is to simply not care. Not one whit. Not a single, solitary damn.

Think about it. When do you hit your best shots? Is it when you’re agonizing over every blade of grass, every gust of wind, every microscopic imperfection on the green? Or is it when you’re distracted, perhaps by a particularly interesting cloud formation, or the existential dilemma of whether to order a hot dog or a chili dog at the turn? It’s the latter, isn’t it? Because when you stop caring, you stop thinking. And when you stop thinking, you start playing golf.

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The golf swing, in its purest form, is an act of instinct, a fluid motion unburdened by the shackles of conscious thought. But we, in our infinite human capacity for self-sabotage, insist on overthinking it. We analyze, we dissect, we intellectualize. We turn a simple act of hitting a ball into a complex mathematical equation, a philosophical treatise on the meaning of spin and trajectory. And what is the result? A hooked drive, a chunked iron, a three-putt that would make a novice weep.

But when you don’t care, a magical transformation occurs. The tension drains from your shoulders, the grip loosens, the mind clears. You swing, not with intent, but with a blissful indifference. The ball, sensing your newfound detachment, responds in kind. It soars, it draws, it fades, it lands precisely where it was always meant to be. It’s as if the ball itself is saying, “Finally! Someone who understands me! Someone who isn’t trying to force me into submission!”

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should actively try to hit bad shots. That would be caring, in its own twisted way. No, the art of not caring is a subtle one. It’s a state of detached engagement, a Zen-like acceptance of whatever the golf course throws at you. A bad bounce? Who cares. A missed putt? Such is life. A lost ball? Perhaps it’s off on a grand adventure, a journey of self-discovery. And in that detachment, in that blissful indifference, you will find a freedom that transcends the scorecard.

So, the next time you step onto the tee, take a deep breath. Let go of your expectations, your desires, your desperate need for perfection. Embrace the chaos. Embrace the absurdity. And most importantly, embrace the profound, liberating power of not caring. For in the gentle art of indifference, you will find not only a lower score, but a deeper, more meaningful connection to the game. Or at least, a more enjoyable round.

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The Art of the Unsolicited Golf Tip: How to Annoy Your Playing Partners with Wisdom

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July 7, 2025

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There’s a certain breed of golfer, a truly special individual, who believes that every swing, every putt, every moment on the course is an opportunity for unsolicited advice. They are the self-appointed gurus of the green, the unsolicited senseis of the sand trap. And while most people recoil from such an individual, I, Ty Webb, find a certain perverse charm in their relentless, often misguided, generosity. After all, what is golf if not a canvas for human folly, painted with strokes of well-intentioned, yet utterly useless, wisdom?

Consider the scenario: your playing partner, a man (or woman) of quiet desperation, is about to address the ball. Their brow is furrowed, their stance is tentative, their very soul is screaming for a moment of peace. And then, from the depths of your profound, albeit unrequested, knowledge, you unleash it: “Keep your head down!” Or, “Slow backswing!” Or, my personal favorite, delivered with a knowing wink, “Be the ball.” The effect is instantaneous. A subtle flinch. A barely perceptible sigh. The swing, already fraught with anxiety, becomes a tortured ballet of self-doubt. The ball, inevitably, finds its way into the deepest, darkest rough.

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And that, my friends, is the art. The beauty of the unsolicited golf tip lies not in its efficacy, but in its disruption. It’s a gentle reminder that even in the serene confines of the golf course, chaos lurks. It’s a subtle assertion of dominance, a playful jab at the fragile ego of your fellow golfer. It’s a way of saying, without actually saying it, “I know more than you, even if I don’t.”

Of course, there are rules to this art. Never offer a tip when someone is actually asking for one; that would be far too helpful, and thus, entirely counterproductive. Always deliver your wisdom with an air of profound nonchalance, as if the secret to a perfect swing has just casually occurred to you while contemplating the existential dread of a missed putt. And most importantly, never, ever, acknowledge the catastrophic results of your advice. A shrug, a thoughtful nod, perhaps a mumbled, “Well, that’s golf,” is all that’s required.

So, the next time you’re on the course, and you see a fellow golfer struggling, resist the urge to be genuinely helpful. Instead, embrace the art of the unsolicited golf tip. For in the gentle torment of your playing partners, you will find a profound, if slightly mischievous, joy. And who knows, perhaps in their frustration, they will, inadvertently, discover their own path to enlightenment. Or at least, a new appreciation for silence.

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Why Your Golf Balls Disappear (and It’s Not the Gophers)

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2 weeks ago

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June 28, 2025

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Ah, the vanishing golf ball. A phenomenon as old as the game itself, and one that has baffled, frustrated, and occasionally driven golfers to the brink of madness for centuries. Most theories involve gophers, those furry, subterranean saboteurs with an insatiable appetite for Titleists. Or perhaps a particularly aggressive squirrel, or a flock of unusually organized crows. But I, Ty Webb, have delved deeper into this mystery, and I can assure you, the truth is far more profound, and far more amusing.

Consider, if you will, the golf ball itself. A small, dimpled sphere, designed for one purpose: to be struck with great force and sent hurtling through the air. A life of constant abuse, of being smacked, sliced, and occasionally submerged in murky ponds. Is it any wonder, then, that some of these brave little spheres simply decide they’ve had enough? They yearn for freedom, for a life beyond the confines of the fairway. They dream of rolling unencumbered through fields of wildflowers, or perhaps, for the more adventurous among them, a quiet retirement in the depths of a particularly challenging water hazard.

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I’ve seen it happen, you know. A perfectly struck shot, soaring through the air, destined for glory. And then, poof. Gone. Not a trace. No splash, no rustle in the bushes, just an empty space where a golf ball once was. It’s not a gopher, my friends. It’s an escape. A liberation. That golf ball, in its infinite wisdom, has chosen a different path. It has decided that its destiny lies not in the bottom of a cup, but in the boundless expanse of the unknown.

And who are we to judge? We, who are so obsessed with control, with precision, with the rigid rules of the game. Perhaps the golf ball, in its spontaneous disappearance, is teaching us a valuable lesson about letting go. About embracing the unexpected. About the inherent futility of trying to dictate the trajectory of a small, white sphere that clearly has a mind of its own.

So, the next time your golf ball vanishes into thin air, don’t curse the gophers. Don’t blame your swing. Instead, offer a silent salute to that brave little sphere, wherever it may be. For it has achieved what many of us can only dream of: true freedom. And who knows, perhaps one day, it will return, laden with tales of its adventures, ready to impart some profound, dimpled wisdom upon us all.

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