Things That Have to Change in Golf in 2025

I love this game of ours - have done so almost all my life. I first picked up a golf club when I was about five. I am sure that my grandfather had visions of me picking up the Claret Jug. In that respect, I am certain that I was a bitter disappointment to him.

I actually reached a pretty decent standard as a teenager but then I discovered the opposite sex. And then work got in the way. I didn’t play from the age of 18 until 25, when I worked with somebody who played off seven and persuaded me to reach for my clubs again. I managed to get back down to five but my focus was on my career and golf took a back seat for many years.

But I cannot get enough of this sport, whether it be writing about it, playing it or following the professional game. I read as much as I can and am able to bore people to tears with all sorts of golf-related trivia.

However, as much as my passion runs high, I am the first to admit that there are all sorts of things I would change. 

So, as we enter a new year, these are the resolutions I would like to see golf make - and keep - in 2025.

Peace

I simply hate the way that the professional side of golf has been ripped apart by LIV.  As you will know, I am no fan of the circuit or of the golfers in their prime who opted to sign for the breakaway tour because they were offered untold millions. We have heard much about a potential framework deal and rumours of PIF investing in the PGA Tour refuse to go away. Listen guys, just get it sorted out once and for all. I have to say that I believe the disappearance of Greg Norman as LIV CEO can surely only help matters.

Money

Is anybody else fed up about hearing how much money is now floating around on the PGA Tour and LIV? I know that I am. Can we please just get back to focusing on the glory of winning golf tournaments? I don’t want to know how many sports cars my favourite golfers have in their garages or much much their custom-built mansion cost. Ian Poulter recently posted an image of his latest Ferrari on X - I expected him to be panned but only a tiny minority took him to task. We know you’ve got loads of money Poults, but please don’t ram it down our throats. Let’s just take all that as read. We know they are wealthy young men but we watch them because of their ability to hit a little white golf ball, not because of how much money they have in the bank.

Career Grand Slam

This is a plea to the golf media. Can we please get to The Masters without each and every one of you telling us all that Rory McIlroy still needs to win at Augusta to finally complete the career grand slam? Let’s just take it as read that we know, he knows it and everybody with any interest in golf also knows it. 

PS: I hope that Rory finally does it. I REALLY hope he finally does it.

Ryder Cup

You do not need me to tell you that the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black has the potential to become a thoroughly unpleasant affair. Let’s just say that New York golf fans have a certain reputation. Now you might think that if somebody paid around $700 to attend a day’s golf then they might be on their best behaviour. Don’t believe a word of it. I still cannot quite get my head around how much spectators are being charged to attend the event. I am certain that things will be made to feel incredibly uncomfortable for the Europeans, especially if they have the temerity to get on top. My wish is that common sense prevails. The Ryder Cup has come a long way since the unsavoury scenes we witnessed in 1999. Good-natured jeering is all well and good but PLEASE let’s keep it at that.

Player Behaviour

Most of us reading this article would give their eye teeth to be able to earn a living playing professional golf at the highest level. They play the best courses on the planet; they spend their lives following the sun; and they are handsomely rewarded for their efforts. Would somebody please remind Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm and Matt Fitzpatrick of this? The temper tantrums thrown by Hatton and Rahm are a shocking example to young golfers. They behave like spoilt children. And Fitzpatrick needs to be reminded that he is allowed to smile.

World Rankings

The world rankings are not fit for purpose. I am sorry but it is true. How else do you explain Brook Koepka being rated as the world’s 84th-best golfer? I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Some kind of a compromise needs to be found.

Joining Fees

I hope that all UK golf clubs will come together in 2025 and agree that the time has come to abolish joining fees once and for all. There is no possible justification for them.

Websites

You knew this was coming, didn’t you? And it will keep coming until golf clubs the length and breadth of the country finally waken up to the fact that we are in 2025 and clunky, old-fashioned websites are just not acceptable. And the same goes for communication. Designing eye-catching websites is not rocket science. Using social media to communicate is something that almost every single one of us does on a daily basis. Why can’t golf clubs do the same thing?

Dodgy Claims

Everybody who plays this game, at whatever level, wants to hit the ball as far as their physique and technique allows them. Is it too much to ask that club manufacturers stop making ridiculous claims about massive sweet spots, 25,000 sweet spots and drivers that will hit the ball 15 yards further. We all know it simply isn’t true. And we will buy your new drivers regardless of any claims you may make.

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