can pga tour caddies use push carts

'You Shall Not Engage In Conduct Unbecoming A Professional Caddie' – The Long List Of Regulations Bagmen MUST Comply With On The PGA Tour

The regulations surrounding what caddies can and can't do on the PGA Tour are numerous, according to the organisation's Player Handbook for 2024...

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Caddies are governed by a strict set of regulations on the PGA Tour, as detailed in the official 2024 PGA Tour player handbook, and "players shall be responsible for the conduct and behaviour of their caddies during tournaments." 

One of the things caddies can't do on the PGA Tour is get fined, however. The players are responsible for their caddies, so any fine falls on them. For example, the PGA Tour rulebook states that “a caddie may enter the locker room during the week to assist the player with retrieving items from his locker. Caddies are not allowed in the locker room at any other time. Players whose caddies enter locker rooms initially (not for reason provided above) will be fined $100. Subsequent fines during a season will be $250 and $500, respectively.”

However caddies can, in effect, be sacked by the Tour as those who “do not comply” with the Tour’s Caddie Regulations will be “subject to losing the privilege to caddie on the PGA Tour. Also, for any violation of these regulations, disciplinary action may be taken against the player for whom the caddie is providing services.”

There have been some famous player-caddie partnerships and anyway caddies are not optional for players are required to employ caddies. The caddie is also required to carry the clubs as pull or push trolleys and carts are not allowed.

Caddies and players alike are required to “present a neat appearance in both clothing and personal grooming.” But whereas “clothing worn by players shall be consistent with currently accepted golf fashion ,” the caddies have a more detailed list of clothing dos and don’ts.

Players cannot wear shorts, unlike caddies; but caddies can only wear “solid-colored khaki-style long pants, which touch the top of the shoe, or solid-colored, knee-length tailored shorts or skorts, and a collared shirt while on club property.” These have to be of “an acceptable colour.” As to what is acceptable colour, this is “determined at the discretion of the PGA Tour Chief Referee.”

More guidance is given on the colour of shoes, where “permissible colours are limited to white and earth tones such as navy, blue, black, brown, tan gray, dark green and the like. Bright colours that are intended to draw attention to a person’s footwear are not acceptable.” Nor are golf spikes , nor open-toed footwear.

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However the Caddie Regulations are not always impositions on the caddies. Although they state that “Caddies shall not falsely register for accommodations or leave unpaid bills,” they also require that “caddies shall be paid promptly.”

Here are some other things caddies must adhere to on the PGA Tour:

– Caddies must conform to the Player Endorsement Policy

– Caddies may not walk on putting greens on any day, at any time, before or after a Pro-Am or official tournament round

– Caddies shall not be permitted on practice greens except to retrieve pitch and run shots or putts

– Caddies shall not hit shots or putts anywhere on the practice areas or course, except in specially approved competitions 

– Caddies shall not engage in any conduct that is prohibited for players under the PGA Tour Anti-Doping Programme

– Caddies shall not engage in any conduct that is prohibited under the PGA Tour's Integrity Programme

– Caddies shall not engage in conduct unbecoming a professional caddie, as determined in the sole discretion of the PGA Tour 

Contributing Writer Roderick is the author of the critically acclaimed comic golf novel, Summer At Tangents . Golf courses and travel are Roderick’s particular interests. He writes travel articles and general features for the magazine, travel supplement and website. He also compiles the magazine's crossword. He is a member of Trevose Golf & Country Club and has played golf in around two dozen countries. Cricket is his other main sporting love. He is also the author of five non-fiction books, four of which are still in print:  The Novel Life of PG Wodehouse ; The Don: Beyond Boundaries ; Wally Hammond: Gentleman & Player and England’s Greatest Post-War All Rounder .

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PGA Tour: When Can Professional Golfers Use Golf Carts? 

PGA Tour Players can't normally use carts, but there are always exceptions

• DESCRIPTION Tiger Woods rides in a golf cart
• SOURCE Ben Jared / Contributor
• PERMISSION license

Golf carts are standard on most courses and help ensure that the game is available to everyone, even those with difficulty walking. Yet on the PGA Tour, professional golfers walk the entire course with their caddy lugging the clubs without so much as a hand cart.

This is because all the major tours, the PGA Tour included, believe that walking is an integral part of the game and requires all golfers to walk the course. And until 2001, that rule was completely unchallenged.

Casey Martin and Golf Carts on the PGA Tour

Today there is an exception to the walking rule, but it took a Supreme Court decision to get the PGA Tour to change their policies. It all started with a professional golfer named Casey Martin. Martin’s career was on the up, and by 2000 Martin had earned a spot on the PGA Tour. However, Martin suffers from Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome, a circulatory disease that causes difficulty walking long distances.

After losing PGA Tour status , Martin was looking to earn his PGA Tour card through Qualifying School (Q School). Martin advanced through the first two rounds, but requested the use of a cart for the final round. When Martin was denied, he decided to sue the PGA Tour under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

By 2001, the case had worked its way up to the Supreme Court, where by a ruling of 7-2 the Court decided to uphold Martin’s right to use a golf cart. The Court essentially rejected the PGA Tour’s claim that walking was integral to golf and ordered the organization to provide a reasonable accommodation for Martin's disability.

Martin never did reach the heights of the PGA Tour again, playing for a few more years on the Web.com Tour (with the use of a golf cart) before transitioning to head coach of the golf team at the University of Oregon. He did make another bit of history, however, as he was allowed to use a cart at the 1998 U.S. Open where he finished tied for 23rd. This was the first time a golf cart had been used at a major. After qualifying for the 2012 U.S. Open through sectional qualifiers, Martin again used a cart at a major tournament.

In 2019, John Daly applied for and was granted an ADA exception from the PGA Tour to play the PGA Championship, becoming only the second golfer to use a golf cart at a major championship.

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Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world. There are plenty of viewers and players who play this as a leisure sport. Moreover, this sport requires a lot of walking under humid conditions sometimes. Hence, most recreational golfers use golf carts to cut down the walking and have fun on the course. 

However, when it comes to professional golfers who compete on the top level, they don’t use carts. And there is a debate going around in the golfing world whether golf carts should be used on the PGA Tour or not. So let us have a look at it. 

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Should professional golfers use golf carts on the PGA Tour?

Golfers need to walk around 10 to 12 km for each round occasionally under extreme weather conditions. Hence, few people are of opinion that professional golfers should use golf carts to reduce this strain. Moreover, they believe this will boost the speed of the game and assist golfers in completing the round quickly. 

Watch This Story: Golf World Reacts to Tiger Woods’ Latest Tweet

However, by doing so, we will cut down one of the challenges in golf. Walking is an integral part of the game that tests the physical toughness of a player. Furthermore, it also has a lot to do with the mental toughness of a player. As walking towards the ball after playing a bad shot is a lot more challenging than zooming towards it in a golf cart. 

Should we allow an injured player to compete with a golf cart on the PGA Tour?

What’s your perspective on:, have an interesting take.

Meanwhile, even though this sounds great, allowing players with injuries to use golf carts seems unfair. The challenge on the Tour should be the same for all players on the field. Hence, by giving a golf cart to a particular player, the challenge doesn’t remain the same for everyone.

  Moreover, in other sports, when a player gets injured, he either continues to play in the same condition or withdraws from the game. Hence, even golf should be no different and use the same template. So many believe that professional golfers should not use golf carts on professional tours like PGA Tour. 

But what are your views on this whole issue? Do let us know. 

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Golf Trolley Buying Guide – Everything You Need To Know About Push Carts

The definitive guide to golf push carts.

As doctors continue to stress more exercise for individuals of all ages, there’s no better time than to use a day at the course as your primary source of exercise. Walking 18 holes has become a popular way for golf lovers to get more activity plus a great reason for getting out to the club more often.

There are two popular ways to play golf as you walk. The first is by carrying your clubs from shot to shot. While this is the primary form of play for young amateur golfers participating in tournaments, it may not be feasible for older recreational golfers.

And that brings us to the alternative, a golf push cart . Whether it be of the push or electric type, walking golf carts have exploded in popularity and as a result, increased in the quality of their features.

So what do you need to look for in a walking golf cart? What features are essential? All of those answers are here in this definitive guide to golf carts.

Types of Golf Cart

Golf push cart.

Push or Pull carts are manual carts that hold the golfer’s bag . The biggest difference between the two carts is the number of wheels. Push carts typically have three wheels, while pull carts have two.

Push carts also differ from pull carts by being bigger with more storage and additional features like hand brakes that allow the golfer to use the push cart on rough terrain without worrying that the cart will roll away.

Older golfers use push carts because they are easier on the body because the weight is moving forward rather than having to hold a cart behind their body and pulling for the entire round.

Electric Golf Push Pull Cart

Electric carts , or trolleys, utilize a battery to power the cart via a remote control or through a setting on the display of the cart that allows the cart to follow the golfer as they walk. Electric carts offer a wide variety of features that the golfer can enjoy from extra storage to changing the rolling speed to match the rate of your walking.

Electric carts are easier to use than push or pull carts because all the work is done by the cart’s battery. These carts are great for golfers who suffer from long-term injuries who just want the exercise without pushing or pulling their clubs along the course.

Why you Should Use a Golf Push Cart

Walking 18 holes can burn close to a 1,000 calories according to Harvard’s Dr. William Kormos. If you hold the opinion that you want to exercise without feeling like you are exercising, then golf is a terrific platform for keeping your heart healthy while playing a game you love.

Relief on the Body

Rather than carrying your clubs and causing stress to your back and legs, walking with a push cart is relatively easy on the body. Whether you are using an electric or manual cart, all you’ll have to do is focus on walking, making it a non-stressful approach to playing the great game of golf.

Storage Space on the Cart

Push golf carts are strong and offer all of the nooks and shelves required to hold a golfer’s personal items. Most push carts are equipped with designated areas for immediate access to your GPS devices and cellphone.

Play Golf With a New Perspective

When golfers use a push cart, they discover they are more conscious of the nature that surrounds them while they play golf. Many golfers welcome this newfound perspective and also enjoy how much better they feel when walking the course.

Folding a Push/Pull or Electric Cart

Golfers must understand that folding a push golf cart demands some muscle and flexibility. Companies have taken significant measures to make the carts fold simpler, but they still can be tricky to break down, especially when you are first folding the push cart.

Some golf pull carts offer an easy, one-step answer to folding and unfolding the cart for storage. That said, most of these carts are usually unsophisticated and possibly do not provide the qualities and conveniences that golfers expect from their push golf cart .

When unfolding a push cart, the golfer has to be aware of the locking mechanisms that need to be freed before the cart can unfold. It is essential the golfer takes time to read and understand the instructions so that they can comprehend the physical demand that the cart will put upon them. However, as the golfer grows comfortable with the cart, they should find that the cart is uncomplicated to prepare for a day at the course.

Traveling with a Golf Cart

After you have collapsed your golf pull cart for travel, the golfer has to decide to how to transport the cart in their vehicle. Push carts typically break down tightly so they can easy be placed in the back seat of a four-door sedan.

Finding the right area of the vehicle to avoid damage is also a crucial choice that must be determined by the golfer. For example, putting the cart in the bed of a truck makes the cart vulnerable to weather such as rain.

Fixing Your Golf Cart

As the golf cart ages, you can expect the cart will need maintenance from time to time. From changing the wheels to greasing the locking mechanisms to replacing the straps that hold the bag to the cart, it is vital to know how your golf cart works so you can handle issues when they arise.

Here are a few of the most common problems that occur with the push cart:

After owning the golf cart for a few years, you may notice the wheels have become unevenly worn, or if you have inflatable wheels, you see a noticeable decrease in air pressure. Wheels on a cart are crucial for keeping the cart level and supporting a smooth roll.

Changing the wheels is an easy process that includes removing the affected tire and replacing it with a new one. If the tire is inflatable, you may be able to patch the tire from the inside so that it can hold air again.

Another problem to look for is if your bag is too big or the pedestal is loose, then it is possible that the bag rubs against the front tire and causes friction that wears down the wheel and damages the bag. A slight adjustment of your bag or by replacing the pedestal can make that issue go away.

Brakes also wear down over time on a manual push cart. You may have to replace the brake line from the wheel to the handle to restore the stopping power of the cart’s brakes. Another area that can malfunction is the handle and possibly needs replacing if you notice it failing to stop the cart.

Locking Mechanisms

Golfers may find a problem with the locking mechanisms that allow a cart to fold. Normally, if there is an issue, it involves the locks sticking and not permitting the frame to unfold. A test of the lock with a tool, like a screwdriver, can fix the issue by popping out the lock. If the lock is rusted and hard to move, then some WD-40-type oil will help slide the slow lock.

Golf Bags on Your Cart

How to place a golf bag on your golf caddy cart.

Golf bags are secured on a push cart by using straps to fasten the bag against the frame of the cart. The golf bag also is reinforced by a stand located toward the end of the cart that assists in locking in the bag. By stationing the bag on the pedestal, the golfer can balance the bag on the cart to allow smooth rolling of the push cart as you play your round.

For the golfer, it is wise to ease the sole of the bag down onto the pedestal first then prop the bag against the frame of the cart. Usually, some guides hold the upper section of the bag so the golfer can secure the bag using straps.

Type of Bags to Use on an Electric or Golf Push Cart

Two types of bags are commonly used with electric or push golf carts . The stand bag uses two collapsible legs that push out when the bottom of the bag makes contact with the ground. Stand bags are light, easy to hold and are made for simple carrying over the golf course.

The second bag is a cart-style bag that is heavy and created with several pockets for storage. Although you’ll see pros on the PGA Tour use cart bags, their caddies carry the burden by toting the bag around the course. Cart bags have a heavy-duty sole on the bottom of the bag making them easy to place on a push cart.

How do Electric Golf Push Carts Work?

Electric golf carts are sophisticated machines that use either a remote control or a control panel to set speed and determine direction when the cart is moving. Powered with either an Lithium Ion or Acid battery, electric golf trolleys draw power from the battery to move the wheels in the direction and pace that the golfer feels best serves his round.

For carts with remote controls, golfers can easily send the cart ahead to the golf ball so that the clubs are waiting, ready for the next shot. Other electric carts that use control panels must have their path set by the golfer before they can roll toward the golf ball.

It is vitally important for the golfer to understand and test out their electric trolley before they hit the course so that they don’t have any problems that could delay their round.

Types of Batteries for Electric Golf Cart

Batteries are the power source of the electric golf caddy. They provide electricity to the motors that move the wheels and guide the caddy in either forward or reverse as the golfer needs. Batteries can differ in weight and add a large load to the cart because of the requirement to supply additional power to the caddy to carry the extra weight.

Lithium-Ion Battery

Lithium Ion batteries weigh less and are more environmentally conscious than other batteries like the acid battery. These Lithium-Ion batteries add around 12 pounds to the total weight of the electric caddy. Lithium-Ion batteries are expensive but maintain their full-charge capacity for over 500 charges, a storage capacity that should last a golfer for many years.

Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Battery

Sealed Lead Acid batteries are the heavy-duty behemoths that most of us commonly imagine when we think of car batteries. These batters are large and extremely heavy as most SLA batteries clock in at close to 25 pounds. They are less expensive than their Lithium-Ion competition but take a very long time to charge. The positive thing about Sealed Lead Acid batteries are that they are relatively cheap. If the SLA battery goes bad, then you can expect to pay only a fraction of the cost of the Lithium Ion battery.

Battery Power Display

One of the essential features of an electric caddy is a battery charge meter that is located on the display screen. This meter gives golfers an approximate percentage remaining on the life of the battery. This feature is very helpful when the golfer is doubtful if the battery can last after a quick nine holes.

Golf carts , whether they be a three-wheel push, two-wheel pull or electric, serve a necessary purpose for golfers who are looking to get some exercise without the strain of carrying their clubs all over the course.

Push or pull cart offers a manual alternative to walking the course while keeping your bag freely accessible. Most push carts have three wheels and can easily handle any terrain that you may need to navigate during your round.

Pull carts are less sophisticated and must be towed behind your body, but they are easy to fold and store in your vehicle when traveling to the course.

The most expensive option, but overwhelmingly the most popular among golfers is the electric cart. The electric cart comes in either a remote control or control panel version and is adjustable to provide a smooth ride for your clubs.

With a host of features that offer storage and simplicity, golf carts are affordable ways to keep your feet moving, your heart pumping and your clubs secure and safe from damage.

Clicgear 3.5 Golf Push Cart

This is a golf cart that I wish I had found earlier, I used to rent a golf push cart at the course that would topple over at the first sign of a hill and it would take considerable effort to pick it back up.

The Clicgear 3.5 is lightweight, ergonomic and dynamic, it folds up very compactly and it comes with all the features you could ever want or expect from a golf push cart and it comes in a range of different colours.

This is a premium design that comes in at around $200, it never falls over, easy to push and pull, it has a bottle holder, an umbrella mount, storage net, it weighs only 18 lbs and the aluminium frame is incredibly durable.

Check out the reviews here:

The bat caddy x4r electric push cart.

The X4R or is the leading electric push cart on the market today and you can control it easily with the remote control provided. This one has got nothing but positive reviews and we were terribly impressed with our fun and easy to use it was on the course.

You can control this one up to 120 yards allows you to get some good exercise in on the course without having to drag your bag or push cart around especially if you have a bad back, like me.

It comes with a 12-volt, 400w battery give me a good power and while steering is with the control provided might take a little time to get used to, we thought this was an excellent purchase even at $800.

It weighs 25 pounds, performs well on Hills and it has all the storage that you need on a pushcart. If you have the budget, this is definitely one worth considering.

Check Out Our Top Ten Best Golf Push Carts Reviewed Here:

Check out our top ten best electric golf push carts of 2020 reviewed here:.

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Mike Guillen, AKA “The Golf Author” is a former professional golfer turned freelance writer and self-published author. His books include Professional Golf for the Rest of Us, Stitched: A Novel, and The Ultimate Guide to Playing “Money” Golf, all of which are available on Amazon. His goal is to provide golfers with an entertaining and unique perspective on the game he loves most. You can learn more about Mike Guillen at his website: www.thegolfauthor.com. Check Out Mike’s books on Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/mikeguillen

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9 Best Golf Push Carts: Pros, Cons, Reviews

Benefits of investing in a golf push cart, 1. the best 3-wheel golf pushcart – serenelife golf pushcart, 2. quickest folding – qwik-fold 3-wheel push pull golf cart, 3. best lightweight pushcart – caddytek superlite explorer, 4. caddytek caddylite v2 deluxe quad-fold golf push cart, 5. tangkula golf push cart, 6. qwik-fold 3-wheel push-pull golf cart, 7. macgregor titanium mactec 3-wheel folding golf cart, 8. sun mountain golf pathfinder px3 cart, 9. spin it golf products easy drive cart, what is a golf push cart and how is it different from a pull cart, the braking system, the back support, the handle , 3-wheelers,  4-wheelers, storage & material/weight, video transcript:, are golf push carts worth it, are push carts allowed on the pga tour, do golf courses allow push carts, what should i look for in a push cart, can you use a stand bag on a push cart, how do you store a golf push cart, what is the easiest cart to push, is a 3 or 4 wheel push cart better, are the wheels replaceable on a golf push cart, why choose a push cart over an electric model, wrapping it up.

What are the best golf push carts? Read on to find the best golf push cart for your needs.

at a glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Golf Push Carts

• Our Top Pick: SereneLife 3-wheel golf pushcart
• Qwik-Fold 3 Wheel Push Pull Golf CART
• CaddyTek Superlite Explorer
• Caddytek Caddylite V2 Deluxe Quad-Fold
• QWIK-FOLD 3-wheel push-pull golf cart
• Shave points off your overall score by avoiding exhaustion.
• Avoid Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) if you’re a frequent golfer.
• Get more exercise than using a club car.
• Increase overall physical fitness with a walking round, without the potential issues associated with carrying a bag.
• Carry more clubs than what you could with a carry bag.

Read more: The Best Golf Courses in the USA and the World

Quick Overview: Our Top Picks for Golf Push Carts

The 9 Best Golf Push Cart Reviews

Based on our extensive research, these are our top picks for the best golf push carts:

• Lightweight aluminum frame
• Detachable umbrella holder
• Adjustable height
• The accessory console can hold scorecards and drinks
• Quick release folds the cart down very quickly and easily
• The front wheel does not swivel
• Only available in one color combination (black and blue)

The black and blue heavy-duty frame of this lightweight SereneLife folding golf pushcart is manufactured from aluminum and it is equipped with upper and lower brackets enabling you to load your golf bag. Elastic straps can tie down any size of a golf bag.

There is space for a scorecard, a place for your liquid refreshments, and you can attach an umbrella holder to the storage compartment.

It weighs a respectable 19.62 pounds and can carry a load of up to 33 pounds. This should be sufficient to carry most golf clubs used by amateurs.

A padded handle is height-adjustable for multiple pushing positions and height.

There are 3 non-inflatable clip-on wheels with quadruple ball bearings to provide ultra-smooth movement in a variety of terrains. The rear wheels are 11 ½ inches in diameter.

Stopping the cart is done via an easy-to-use quick braking system to prevent the cart from rolling away when parked.

Loading the bag into your vehicle is a straightforward process as it folds flat into a compact size measuring 23.2″ x 7.3″ x 27.8″. To unfold, you simply lift the handle and in moves into place.

This is the best push cart for golf in this price range.

•   The cart folds in one second 
• Aluminum frame that makes the cart sturdy and durable
• Umbrella holder 
• Lightweight
• Foot-brake system for uneven surfaces
• Requires a decent-sized budget but reasonable for this quality
• Wheels sometimes are not aligned correctly

Qwik-Fold has made a push/pull cart that is made of quality material with its aluminum frame. When most people think of durable, they think of bulky and a pain to transport. That is not the case at all with this product.

For any avid golfer who can invest in top-quality products, this pushcart will be worth checking out. Not too many carts have a foot-brake system and that certainly makes this one stand out.

With over 300 reviews and almost a 5-star rating, why wouldn’t you check out this incredible pull cart?  We have included a link for your convenience here too!

• The wide wheels enable ease of movement and stability
• Adjustable handles
• Extra storage
• Built-in cooler
• Simple folding and unfolding feature
• Strong, durable aluminum framework
• Features patented folding design; portable and travel-friendly
• Removable umbrella holder bracket
• Wheels have brakes
• Lack of locking mechanism in a folded position
• No brake control on the handle
• Its handle is divided into 2 parts
• Brakes sometimes don’t unlock as easily as they lock
• Bottom of the cart is quite low to the ground

The frame of the Superlite Explorer 4-wheeler is constructed from strong aluminum and set on a wide base with expandable front wheels for increased stability and is easy to roll on different terrains. It weighs an extremely light 14 pounds.

The handles are adjustable to multiple pushing positions and padding making for a soft touch. The foot brakes are easy to use with push-to-brake and push-to-release features. A patented 2 latched mechanism allows the cart to fold into a compact package through only 2 steps.

There is a mesh net for the balls, a storage compartment for your scorecard, a well-sized beverage holder, and an umbrella holder.

Setting the pushcart for loading is quick and easy as it can be brought downwards by pushing a button under the handle. The back wheels can be removed for decreased storage requirements and the front wheel can rotate 180 degrees either way at the click of a switch. To reduce the storage requirements even further, the umbrella rack can be removed.

This is a well-priced pushcart with some good features but is up against some strong competition.

• The hand brake operated from the handle
• Bag strap storage clip
• Umbrella Holder
• Slide lock handle
• Airless wheels
• Dual front brakes
• Stylish, sleek, and sturdy design
• Extremely stable
• Easy to fold making use of patented designs
• The brake handle can be a bit inflexible
• Not as reliable as the V8 model from the same manufacturer

The Caddylite V2 is the follow-up of the ever-popular predecessor. This is one of the finest push carts you can find today. It has great features and makes use of technology to ensure that you get the absolute maximum assistance and feedback from one of the most advanced four-wheel carts available. It is also designed to minimize the maintenance requirements throughout its lifetime.

The Caddylight V2 made of lightweight materials and built on an extra-wide base for increased stability. It is provided with loads of features and smoothly glides over the grass with little resistance. This all weighs in at a remarkably lightweight of 10 pounds.

The console houses built-in storage for your scorecard and a mount for your Umbrella and Cup Holders. The brake system is controlled from the handle and effectively stops the powerful front wheels.

Folding this beauty for storage is easier than you would ever imagine through the use of the patented V-slide feature resulting in a folded-up package of 28″ x 16.5″ x 16.1″.

It is one of the most durable, yet light pushcarts on the market and is laden with technology. The features available on the Caddylight v2 outshine its mid-range price point.

• Easy to assemble
• Sturdy steel framework construction
• Folds easily
• Removable wheels
• Height and angle adjustable handle.
• Net bag and beverage holder.
• Ball-bearing wheels
• Seating stool with storage compartment
• People with short legs may struggle with the brakes

The Tangkula Golf Push Cart is a 3-wheel pushcart with the frame constructed from steel and it can take on the heaviest of bags. As Tangkula is not aluminum like most of the competitors, it weighs in relatively heavy 19 pounds.

The handle can move and turn in every angle possible and is height adjustable to suit your requirements and the moveable handles make it easy to carry. A great feature of the handle is that it is flexible and can be used by either left-handed or right-handed golfers without any adjustment required.

The wheels have ball bearings thus making it very smooth and easy to push and change direction.

The brakes are effective but not linked to the handle. Unfortunately, you will have to operate them with your feet.

On the console, you will find the usual space for accessories such as your scorecard, umbrella, net bag, and beverage holder.

Slow play has become a hot topic and is found at all levels of the game. A feature that you will find on a few of the competitors and that makes this a stand-out option is the adjustable stool for those difficult days when you have to wait for the group ahead to complete their hole.

The Tangkula folds into a 65” x 27” x 48” package making it easy to store. If it still takes up too much space you can remove all 3 of its wheels effortlessly to squeeze it into the tightest spaces.

Weighing in heavier than the competition as a result of the steel construction does not affect the workability and performance of the Tangkula. It’s easy to assemble and features a stool to assist when you get tired of waiting.

• Wonderfully comfortable ergonomic handle grip
• Simple console with sufficient golfing conveniences
• Extremely stable under heavyweight due to a wide base
• Sometimes veers to the side
• Comes in only one color (black)

At first sight, the Qwik-Fold 3-wheel push-pull golf cart appears bland with its stripped-down style. You will not find too many gimmicks on this product, which can be considered a shortcoming.

But the pushcart is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and weighs in at only 17 pounds — making it lightweight and easy to load into your vehicle.

Being super strong and sturdy, it can carry a load of 38+ pounds with ease. Tying down the bag is a breeze with expandable straps.

The height-adjustable handle will prevent strain on your back and shoulders and is extremely comfortable

The rear wheels measure in at 10 inches in diameter and the non-swiveling front wheel at 9 inches in diameter. All 3 ball-bearing wheels have treads that grip firmly, allowing them to effortlessly climb over varying terrain but are small enough not to be cumbersome. The front wheel is mounted on a downward curving leg for enhanced control while the rear wheels are wide set for increased stability.

Patented bullet-system technology makes it straightforward to collapse the cart to load into your vehicle is done by simply pushing a button and erecting it by lifting the handle for it to snaps into shape.

There is a detachable umbrella holder for those unpredictable days.

A patented foot brake system is engaged by simply tapping the break with your foot and to release ali you have to do is tap it with your foot again.

The Qwik-Fold 3-Wheel push-pull golf cart is competitively priced for what it offers.

• Umbrella holder
• The front wheel can sometimes swivel awkwardly
• Only available in one color combination (black and gray)

The Mactec 3 has a sturdy frame weighing in at a competitive 15 pounds but it can fold up into a tight bundle. The folding mechanism can fold into the smallest of spaces during transportation, with a folding lock to secure it into place.

Pushing the cart via the height-adjustable handlebar will prevent strain on your back and shoulders.

Securing your bag to the cart via the adjustable bag supports is quick.

The accessory console and under-handle storage net cater to a storage compartment, drinks holder, scorecard holder, as well as tee and ball holders. Furthermore, the console caters to a removable umbrella holder.

Non-inflatable, friction-free, oversized rubber wheels enable the trolley to traverse all terrains with no problem. The front wheels swivel freely but sometimes a little too much.

Folding it into the bundle is a straightforward two-step folding process that will compact it into a small package.

To keep the pushcart in place while you are playing your shot, or on sloping ground, there is an easy-to-operate foot parking brake.

• Sturdy base
• Multi-functional accessory console, velour pouch, and mesh storage
• A manual operation is required for collapsing the cart

The Sun Mountain Golf Pathfinder PX3 cart is a lightweight pushcart weighing in at a mere 17 pounds on a sturdy base of 4 wheels.

You cannot place this in the bland category. The Pathfinder PX3 is available in a variety of 8 color combinations, enough to coordinate with almost any bag on the market.

The accessory console is designed to hold your cell phone, scorecard, golf balls, and tees. On the rear of the accessory console is a velour-lined pouch for safe storage of electronic equipment. Below the console, you will find a mesh basket.

On the side of the push arm is a detachable umbrella holder for days you play in inclement weather.

Charging your cell phone while you are playing golf is not a problem. There is a charging plug slot in the cell phone holder to charge your phone.

The golf bag is strapped to the cart using the adjustable bungee cords on the upper and lower bag brackets.

Collapsing the Pathfinder PX3 into a compact size measuring 26 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 14 inches high, is done by simply unlocking the bottom locking mechanism, and then unlocking the top mechanism.

• Easy of assembly
• High-quality construction
• Swiveling front wheel
• Lightweight and compact
• Folds well for convenient storage
• Great stability
• Console storage options
• Strong, durable and lightweight aluminum frame
• Automated folding initiated by the push of a button
• Adjustable bag clamps
• It does not lock when folded

This is another three-wheeler that we’ve tested and it comes up trumps.

The low-maintenance aluminum frame is strong enough to carry any fairly weighted golf bag and durable enough to be your loyal servant for many years of hassle-free golf. A key feature offered by the Easy Drive is the stability that it offers in all ground conditions and all weather conditions.

The automatic folding mechanism found on Easy Drive is a highlight when seeing it in action. Push the button, and it will fold itself smoothly into a very compact, easy-to-transport package. The Easy Driver weighs in at quite a sturdy weight of 16.5 pounds although this does not have any impact on the maneuverability on the course.

Attached to the sturdy aluminum frame you will find airless wheels with the from wheel able to swivel 360 degrees making the change of direction no problem. The front wheel of the cart swivels in tandem with the two back wheels making the Easy Drive one of the easiest push carts available.

The handle is adjustable to your specific settings and has the brake control attached. It also makes provision for all necessities such as a scorecard holder, drinks holder, and umbrella holder.

The Easy Driver is one of the Best Golf Push Carts, which is reflected in the fact that it is one of the bestselling pushcarts online. The lightweight construction makes it equally easy to transport and use as your caddy. No sacrifice in either department is required.

Push golf carts allow you to move around the course easily but are a little different from golf pull carts.

A pushcart should be easy to push and light. Carts, as with all golfing equipment, provide you with choices galore. Even before you decide on which brand you want to buy there is a decision to be made on whether a push or pull cart will work best for your circumstances.

Even the best golf pull cart is no good for pushing along the course and vice versa, so we’ll cover them both a bit to help you decide.

The main difference between the two golf walking cart options is the number of wheels. Essentially pull carts have 2 wheels, while pushcarts have either 3 or 4 wheels.

What To Consider When Buying A Golf Push Cart

There is much debate about who coined the phrase, ‘Golf is a good walk, spoiled?’. Many attributed this to Mark Twain but it’s more likely that novelist Harry Leon Wilson used the phrase in his novel, The Boss of Little Arcady.

Who made the phrase popular doesn’t matter as much as the fact that more than one golfer has felt that way while carrying their heavy golf bag for 18 holes of golf.

A study completed by Dr. Wolkodoff found that carrying a bag consumes far more energy than pushing a cart and that it could increase your score by up to 2+ strokes per round.

Ensure that your golf bag and push cart are compatible since there is a large community of golfers that believe that stand bags do not go well with pushcarts. This, however, is not true for all carts as some employ a clip system to lock in your stand bag.

As with your car, the braking system on your cart is important. Imagine playing on a hilly course and fighting to keep your cart stationery while planning and executing your shot.

It is possible to replace the brakes rather cheaply but by taking care of your brakes you can extend their lifetime. Look for flatter surfaces on which you can park your cart without unnecessarily engaging the brakes.

With golf courses being longer to change the increased distances that golfers can hit the ball, golfers often have to add more drinks and food to their bags to counteract the additional time spent on the course. This has an even worse impact if you carry your bag.

Not having to carry your bag for 18 holes by using a cart already reduces the strain on your back which is so important for your swing. Some golfers have noted that it benefits the back as they have something to press or lean on while walking if the stress on the back gets too much.

Most of the contact with your cart will be through the handle. You will be pushing up and down hills and therefore flexible handles are superior to fixed handles. Twisting and turning your wrists to keep your cart aligned cannot positively impact your golf game.

In addition to being flexible, look for height-adjustable handles that enable you to control the brakes. Why would you use a cart to save your back but bend down to put the brakes in place every time you stop?

Fortunately, the majority of carts have airless wheels. It would be quite catastrophic to have a puncture while playing the game of your life! Along with the airless nature of the wheels, you will find a large majority have textured anti-skid wheels enhancing the grip on wet and very dry surfaces.

The question then arises: are 3 or 4 wheels a better choice? Let’s look at both options and then you can make the right choice.

Three-wheelers are shaped like a V with one wheel in the front and two in the back. The front wheel could either be fixed or can swivel. The swivel option creates more flexibility and less stress on the course when you have to turn it around.

Having only one wheel in the front makes it much easier to steer than a four-wheeler. The V shape makes it easier to push in all conditions, whether on the fairway or over some clumps in the rough.

On the negative side, we must be mention that three-wheelers tend to become top-heavy and they are easier to topple over when fully loaded. So, it may not be the best push golf cart style for senior golfers with bad backs.

On the opposite side of the coin, four-wheelers have two wheels in the front and are more stable and less likely to topple over no matter the load. However, as with any vehicle you load, ensure the load is distributed as evenly as possible or you could still find yourself picking it up off the ground.

What they gain in stability is offset the maneuverability. They are not difficult to move around, but compared to the three-wheel competitors, they tend to be more difficult to turn.

You will often be able to replace the wheels if you damage it beyond repair. It is highly recommended that you obtain the replacement from the supplier directly to ensure that you don’t lose any of the benefits you have become accustomed to.

The overall experience that most golfers have with pushcarts is that they work well. An area that creates some problems is the cart’s storage and the cart’s storage after the round.

It is advisable not to overload your cart with beverages, snacks, and other commodities for the round. To ensure that the cart stays stable, you should spread the weight evenly around your bag so it’s easy to push and will help you save energy for your shots.

Your golf cart should enable you to carry and make all of your essentials easily available. Look for a place to store your scorecard and writing utensils, your umbrella on those rainy days, and a reasonable amount of liquid refreshments. Other options that could play a big role in your decision are whether the storage compartment is waterproof and whether it is lockable.

The pushcart should fold up into a sufficiently small package to fit into the vehicle you use most often for your golfing trips. It should be easy to fold up and/or dismantle should that be required before loading it.

Most have manual operations to fold up but some of the higher level pushcarts have automated the folding action. You will pay more for the automated options but it could be well worth the additional costs when you are tired after a long walk.

Video Guide on Golf Push Cart Shopping

The team at Golfspan also made a vide on how to shop for a golf push cart. You can watch it here.

“A push cart can make walking a golf course much easier, which is a great way to get your steps in for the day. This poster hit the nail on the head when he said he’s looking for a pushcart that is durable and affordable. Because I would rank those features as the top two for anyone shopping for a golf pushcart.

A sturdy frame and durable wheels are essential for a long-lasting pushcart. You don’t want to spend money on a cart that will fall apart after a few uses, right? So make sure you do your research and read reviews from other golfers and other websites like Golfspan.com before making a purchase. You may also want to consider the size and weight of the pushcart.

Trust me, you don’t want to struggle with a heavy and bulky push cart up and down hills. Look for a cart that is compact and can easily fit in the trunk of your car. Look for a push cart that has plenty of storage compartments and holders for your golf tees, gloves, water bottles, and other accessories.

Last but certainly not least, make sure the push cart is easy to maneuver. You don’t want to struggle with a cart that consistently tips over or is difficult to pull or push on uneven terrain. Look for carts with adjustable handles, and advanced braking systems for better control and stability.

When looking for the best golf push cart, prioritize durability and price. Beyond that, consider size, weight, storage, and maneuverability. With these features in mind, you’ll be able to find the perfect push cart that will make your time on the course more enjoyable and hassle-free. Thanks for watching.

I’m Clint McCormick, resident Golf professional for golfspan.com.”

Best Golf Push Cart 2022 FAQs

That depends on whether you are using golf as a workout or to improve your score. Studies show that using a pushcart improves the average player’s overall score by around 2 strokes for the round. On the other hand, you lose some of the physical strain from carrying around your clubs.

Well, PGA golfers have their own caddies, so they have no use for a push cart. However, many current and former PGA golfers disagree with college players using push carts in amateur tournaments so they’d probably be frowned upon.

Some private clubs don’t allow push carts, but you’ll find that most do. You should check with your regular course before making a purchase.

Some things to look for when buying a push cart include:

• Maneuverability
• Folded up size

Yes, you can use a stand bag on a push cart. You may need some extra straps or something to protect the underside of your bag depending on the cart and bag models.

Most modern push carts fold into tiny bundles, so they can be stored easily. Just make sure to keep them dry and out of direct sunlight to ensure the longevity of your push cart.

In terms of the ease of pushing, we like the CaddyTek Superlite Explorer .

Neither is better than the other. 4 wheel carts are more efficient for long straight walking while 3 wheel push carts are easier to turn around in tight spaces. You just have to decide which is more important to you.

That depends on the model. Many brands have their wheels bolted on and you could contact the manufacturer for a replacement. However, some models have their wheels welded in place which would require buying a whole new cart.

A manual push cart has the following three benefits over an electric golf cart:

• They are lighter
• They take up less space
• They are significantly cheaper

Golfers are spoilt for choice when it comes to pushcarts. There are so many options and you have to prioritize upfront what will be your major selection criteria. The type of courses that you frequent and their layout will play a big role in your selection.

Hilly courses will require a good braking system and could play a big role in the decision.

While all the pushcarts we reviewed are popular and quality options, the Serenelife 3-wheel Push Cart stood out as the best golf push cart for the money. It is a great combination of versatility and durability while still being light and easy to move around (and is not too expensive).

You may also like these related articles:

• The Best Electric Golf Push Cart
• Best Golf Cart Bags
• Best Women’s Golf Bags

Chris Daniel

Chris's love for golf is only rivaled by his wanderlust. A globetrotter at heart, He’s played courses throughout Europe and Asia and at home in NSW, Australia. With a writing style as smooth as his golf swing, he’ll help you find the right gear to match your skill level and style. You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn .

Clint McCormick

Clint is PGA-certified and was a Head Teaching Professional at one of Toronto's busiest golf academies. He was also featured on Canada's National Golf TV program, "Score Golf Canada," twice. He graduated with a degree in Golf Management from the College of the Desert in California and studied under Callaway's co-founder, Tony Manzoni. He has a handicap index of 6.2 and spends the winters near Oaxaca, Mexico, where he plays twice a month at the Club de Golf Vista Hermosa. He's written over 100 articles at GolfSpan since 2021. You can connect with Clint at   LinkedIn , FB , his website , or [email protected] .

• Clint McCormick https://www.golfspan.com/author/clint-mccormick 9 Best Golf Push Carts: Pros, Cons, Reviews

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Envelopes, Please: The ‘Other’ Awards From Highs and Lows of the 2024 PGA Tour Season

Gary van sickle | sep 4, 2024.

ATLANTA — We were a country divided. It was Coke vs. Pepsi, Ford vs. Ferrari and Tastes Great vs. Less Filling all over again.

Was Scottie Scheffler your Player of the Year in 2024 or was it Xander Schauffele? 

It was too close to call until Scheffler finally tipped the scales by winning the 30-man corporate picnic known as the Tour Championship last week.

Purists favored Schauffele because he had a 2-1 edge in major championships. It was Schauffele’s PGA and British Open titles versus Scheffler’s Masters. Although Scheffler also won the Players, which ought to count as at least half a major by now. 

But the Tour Championship was win No. 7 for Scheffler. He also snagged the Olympic gold medal. He was golf’s dominant force this year. He even set the all-time Tour scoring average for a season at 68.00.

You could argue for Co-Players of the Year because of this: Would Scheffler or Schauffele trade their year for the other guy’s? Not likely.

Thankfully, a seventh Scottie win seems to end debate, which is good because if we had to come up with a combo nickname for the duo such as Bennifer (Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez), Schauffeffler edged Scander and X-Scot in staff voting. 

Crisis solved. As luminaries Peaches and Herb once noted, “Reunited and it feels so good.” Here are some other major award winners from The Year of Schauffeffler Scheffler: 

The Winston Churchill Champion Orator

Rory McIlroy discussing the Olympics and Ryder Cup: “With how much of a sh-t show the game of golf is right now, we don’t play for money (in) the two tournaments that might be the purest form of competition.”

(Second shot: We need a “sh-t show” logo on golf shirts and hats. They’ll sell like … sh-tcakes!)

Most Arresting Event 

Nobody has ever been charged with a felony during a major championship and gone on to win it but Scheffler had the chance. He was arrested for not obeying a traffic cop’s directions near the Valhalla Golf Club entrance in the early morning hours. Louisville police arrested Scheffler, booked him downtown and charged him with a felony. He somehow got back to Valhalla for his morning tee time and shot 66, the Round of the Year under the circumstances. Video evidence later exonerated Scheffler and all charges were dropped. The Scheffler Incident made this PGA Championship unforgettable but the event got even better thanks to a thrilling finish in which Schauffele holed a clutch putt on the last green to edge Bryson DeChambeau and Viktor Hovland. 

(Second shot: Great golf, great drama, great police work. Well, two outta three ain’t bad.)

Revisionist History Cup

Awarded to the PGA Tour, which said University of Alabama sophomore Nick Dunlap’s AmEx win made him the youngest amateur to win on Tour since Chick Evans at the 1910 Western Open. 

(Second shot: Geez, the PGA Tour wasn’t founded until 1968 but it’s taking credit for those old Western Opens? Is it also claiming responsibility for Portugal ending its monarchy that year?)

The Stroke of Genius Award

If the hardest shot in golf is the long bunker shot, try it from 55 yards on the 72nd hole at Pinehurst’s No. 2 Course to win the U.S. Open. Bryson DeChambeau floated a beautiful sand shot with his 55-degree wedge that trickled to a stop 4 feet below the hole. Then he holed the putt to win his second Open title. “That bunker shot was the shot of my life,” DeChambeau said.

(Second shot: It was close but that bunker shot possibly was bigger than the final-hole birdie putt holed by President Donald Trump in DeChambeau’s Internet episode of “Break 50” that gave the duo a score of 50 at Trump Bedminster.)

The Green Bib

Given to caddie Ted Scott, who has two Masters wins on Scottie Scheffler’s bag and two with Bubba Watson. That means only legendary Augusta caddies Willie Peterson (five with Jack Nicklaus) and Pappy Stokes (five with four players) have looped for more green jacket winners than Scott. “I’m pinching myself,” Scott said after Scheffler’s April win.

(Second swing: Pinch away, man. You’re aboard Secretariat. Enjoy every ride.)

The Golden Slide Rule

Beau Hossler bounced a shot off the back edge of the famed 17th green at TPC Sawgrass in the Players opening round the same day Ryan Fox made an ace there. Only one of those made history. Oddly, it was Hossler’s, whose shot was the 1,000th ball hit into the water at 17 during The Players, ShotLink reported. 

(Second shot: This is fake math, people. ShotLink didn’t start tracking water balls at 17 until 2003. Sawgrass became the Players home in 1982, so that’s another 21 years and using historical average of 46 dunks per Players week, that 966 more sunken balls. Hossler’s shot was actually closer to being No. 2,000. And that’s not counting Angelo Spagnolo’s 27 water balls en route to a 66 on that hole in Golf Digest ’s ignominious 1985 World’s Worst Avid Golfer contest.)

The Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics Trophy

Awarded to Tiger Woods. The pros and cons of his year:

Pro: He played all four majors for the first time since 2019. 

Con: He missed the cut in three; shot a cumulative 44 over par and averaged 75.6 strokes per round. 

Pro: He set a Masters record by making his 24th consecutive cut, moving ahead of Fred Couples and Gary Player.

Con: His 304 total was his highest in 26 Masters appearances.

Pro: He shot 156 at Royal Troon in the Open, tying his highest score as a professional, but it was one stroke lower than his highest score ever, 157 at Bay Hill in 1994 when he was a high school senior. Take that, kid!

Con: He played the final round with amateur Neil Shipley, who shot 73 to Tiger’s 77.  In a match of cards, Shipley wins, 2 and 1.

Pro and Con: Tiger is now a PGA Tour Policy Board player director and heavily involved in the tedious, never-ending (doomed?) negotiations with PIF (the Saudi money funding rival LIV Golf).

Pro: He got a $100 million loyalty bonus/equity share from PGA Tour Enterprises Inc., the Tour’s new for-profit venture.

Con: Figuring the highest IRS personal tax rate of 37%, he kept only $63 million of that bonus.

(Second shot: Only $63 mill? C’mon, a private jet’s gotta eat, too.)

Best Farewell Tour

Take a bow, personable club pro Michael Block. He had his 15 minutes of fame in 2023 after his star turn at the PGA Championship that featured a final-round ace while paired with Rory McIlroy. Block cashed in well. He even snagged a Charles Schwab commercial—surely a club-pro first—and three more invites to PGA Tour events this year, which ended as three more missed cuts. 

The afterglow of his fantastic, clutch up-and-down on the 72nd hole at Oak Hill that earned him a return invite to the PGA Championship didn’t last long at Valhalla last May. He made a quad on the second hole and missed the cut. Probably only Scottie Scheffler had less fun in Louisville. 

(Second shot: Looks like Blockie’s Eras Tour is over. But he’s 48 and the senior circuit is not far off. He might be able to beat a few of those guys. His more realistic long-term outlook? Social Security.)

The Pet Rock Merchandising Award (Gold Medal)

T-shirt featuring jailbird Scottie Scheffler mug shot) during PGA Championship week: “Making orange great again.”

(Second shot: Hey, it’s always been great in sherbet and Hostess cupcakes.)

The Francis Ouimet Giant-Killer Cup

This prestigious award Dunlap, the reigning U.S. Amateur champ. He shot a third-round 60 and holed a 6-foot putt on the 72nd hole to win the American Express, the tournament long known as the Bob Hope Desert Classic. Dunlap became the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event since Phil Mickelson in 1991, a special feat. 

Said Dunlap: “If you told me Wednesday night that I would have a putt to win this golf tournament, I wouldn’t believe you.”

(Second shot: Nick, what if we also told you via email how to sell your timeshare and buy life insurance in case of a robot attack? Would you believe that?)

Rookie Card of the Year

It’s another award for Dunlap, who looks like the real deal. Dunlap turned pro after winning the AmEx in January, jumped onto the PGA Tour and came from behind to win the Barracuda Championship in July—the first player in Tour history to win as an amateur and a pro in the same year. “I never thought I would have my name next to that,” Dunlap said after his victory in Truckee, Calif. The triumph was worth $720,000, nearly half as much as the $1.5 million check he couldn’t accept for winning the AmEx, money that went instead to runner-up Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

(Second shot: Pay the man, Shirley.)

The Nick Dunlap Honesty Cup

This Dunlap guy is everywhere. So let’s name an award after him for offering the Most Honest Quote of the Year. After winning the AmEx as an amateur, the Alabama sophomore was asked if he had homework from school.

“Yes,” Dunlap answered. “Probably won’t do it, though.”

(Second shot: Wait, athletes at SEC schools have homework?)

The Nick Dunlap Honesty Cup, non-Dunlap Division  

The winner is Akshay Bhatia, who left his 32-foot putt on the Rocket Mortgage Classic’s 72nd green 4 feet short, then missed the next one, handing the title to a surprised Cam Davis. Said Bhatia: “Just a little bit of nerves, honestly. I’m human.”

(Second shot: You’ve gotta respect that admission. Not to make excuses for Bhatia’s miss but we did notice some clouds moving carelessly during his backstroke.)

The Shlabotnik Cup

This award, which goes to former Ryder Cup star Anthony Kim, is named in honor of “Peanuts” character Charlie Brown’s favorite baseball player, Joe Shlabotnik, who had a career .004 batting average. Kim, 38, stepped away from golf in 2012 (when the award-winning Dunlap was 10 years old) for undisclosed reasons. Kim returned in March and joined LIV Golf.  “Eleven years is a long time,” admitted Kim. His results reflect the layoff. His average finish in 10 54-man events is 47.0. He has a 47-477-6 mark, based on how many players he finished ahead of (47), behind (477) or tied (6). That gives him a won-loss average of .094. 

(Second shot: Well, his last LIV finish was 36th so he’s trending upward. But at least his average is way better than Shlabotnik, who later tried managing, fyi, but was fired by the Waffletown Syrups.)

The Glenfiddich Award

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre had a remarkable summer. He scored his breakthrough first PGA Tour victory at the RBC Canadian Open with his dad, Dougie, the greenskeeper at Glencruitten Golf Club, as his caddie. They shared an emotional embrace after the win. Barely a month later, he was in contention at the Scottish Open. With the vocal galleries supporting him, MacIntyre delivered his best golf and watched a 22-foot birdie putt barely topple into the cup on the final green for a one-shot win over Adam Scott. “It’s the one I wanted and the one I got,” Robert said. The ensuing celebration was reportedly also award-worthy. “I’m not a big drinker but when you get a moment like that—a childhood dream and a lifetime goal—and you’ve got family and friends that have backed you since you were a young kid, I think it was quite right to go absolutely wild.” And, he added with a smile, “I think we’ve done a good job of that.” Because of the party, he moved his Open Championship pre-tournament press conference from Monday to Wednesday.

(Second shot: Lang may yer lum reek, lad. Old Scottish toast translated, Long may your chimney smoke.)

The Van de Velde Cup

The “winner” is former Duke University star Max Greyserman, who had one hell of a week during the Wyndham Championship. Greyserman enjoyed a second-round 60 at Sedgefield Country Club and had a sizable lead in the final round until his drive caromed high off a cart path and out of bounds at the 14th hole, causing a quadruple-bogey 8. Then he four-putted for double bogey at the 16th. The double disasters set up England’s Aaron Rai to notch his first win. “Obviously, stuff happens in golf,” Greyserman said. 

(Second shot: When Double Stuf happens, you hope it comes between two Oreo wafers.)

The Pet Rock Merchandising Award (Silver Medal)

T-shirt featuring jailbird Scottie Scheffler mug shot during PGA Championship week: “Orange is the new green.”

(Second shot: Does anyone really want to see the Masters award The Orange Jacket? Anyone? Bueller?)

 The Glen Campbell Memorial “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” Award

It was 8:25 a.m. when Lucas Glover, still in his hotel room, answered his cell phone and was notified by a PGA Tour rules official that he was due to tee off in the WM Phoenix Open’s first round at 8:26, one minute later. Dangnabbit! The rules allow a player to tee off up to five minutes late, which comes with a two-stroke penalty, but Glover couldn’t make it in time for that. He withdrew and admitted he’d read his tee time wrong, a rookie mistake that a 44-year-old Tour veteran wondered how he could have made.

“I'm kicking myself but laughing at myself at the same time,” Glover told Golf Channel.

(Second shot: Glover ranks 14th in Approaching the Green stats. In Reaching the First Tee, pencil him in for DFL—that’s golfspeak for Dead Last.)

The Silver Calculator Award

Xander Schauffele won explaining how he had to factor in Denver’s mile-high altitude during the BMW Championship there to determine yardages before every shot: “I went to San Diego State, so it’s the most math I’ve done in a while.”

(Second shot: Is San Diego State in the Big Ten Conference yet?)

The Dan Rather Memorial Inquisition Chalice

This award for the most inane media question was earned at the FedEx St. Jude Championship after Scottie Scheffler talked about showing his Olympic gold medal to friends and fans before the event in Memphis and how much reacted to seeing his medal.

Media genius: “Did you use it as a ball marker at all?” 

(Second shot: What he should’ve asked as a topper follow-up—“How far can you throw it?”)

The Pet Rock Merchandising Award (Bronze medal)

T-shirt featuring jailbird Scottie Scheffler mug shot during PGA Championship week: “Straight outta Valhalla.”

(Second shot: Per the late Warren Zevon’s song: “Send lawyers, guns and money.”)

The Job Placement Trophy

Phil Mickelson has zero LIV Golf wins and only three top-10 finishes in three years.

Mickelson recently hinted that he might retire if his LIV Golf play doesn’t improve. His reported $200 million LIV deal expires after next season and his dismal average finish this year is 36.1 (out of 54 players). “I see glimpses of being able to compete but I’m also realistic,” Mickelson said. “If I’m not able to, I’ll step aside.” 

(Second shot: A legit question is, What will Phil do next? LIV broadcast commentator? Head negotiator in the PGA Tour framework agreement talks? Male model for AARP?)

The Dr. Richard Kimble Right Stuff Award

Scottie Scheffler, after video evidence revealed how the Louisville police’s description of his PGA incident didn’t match the officer’s account and charges against him were dropped: “I did not want to pursue legal action against Louisville because at the end of the day, the people of Louisville would have to pay for the mistakes of their police department. And that just doesn’t seem right.”

(Second shot: Justice prevails. Court adjourned.)

GARY VAN SICKLE

Van Sickle has covered golf since 1980, following the tours to 125 men’s major championships, 14 Ryder Cups and one sweet roundtrip flight on the late Concorde. He is likely the only active golf writer who covered Tiger Woods during his first pro victory, in Las Vegas in 1996, and his 81st, in Augusta. Van Sickle’s work appeared, in order, in The Milwaukee Journal, Golf World magazine, Sports Illustrated (20 years) and Golf.com. He is a former president of the Golf Writers Association of America. His knees are shot, but he used to be a half-decent player. He competed in two national championships (U.S. Senior Amateur, most recently in 2014); made it to U.S. Open sectional qualifying once and narrowly missed the Open by a scant 17 shots (mostly due to poor officiating); won 10 club championships; and made seven holes-in-one (though none lately). Van Sickle’s golf equipment stories usually are based on personal field-testing, not press-release rewrites. His nickname is Van Cynical. Yeah, he earned it.

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Junior Golf Tournaments in Pennsylvania

Experience Jr Golf in Pennsylvania with the HJGT

Pennsylvania is not just a top state for hosting U.S. Opens; it is also one of the top states on the HJGT schedule . There are such a variety of courses and tournaments that the hardest part is picking the best spot to play.

The HJGT has worked hard to select some of the best and challenging courses for junior golfers to hone their skills and walk away with memorable experiences. Events include a staggering number of opens across the state from country clubs to top public courses. Most events are concentrated around Pittsburgh, State College and Philadelphia. Pennsylvania is our 3rd highest membership state and the HJGT will continue to grow in size of membership and events as the years go on. Members in PA are also conveniently located to events in OH, NJ, and NY. If you are a junior in PA you don’t have to go far to find an HJGT event every week.

Find HJGT Tournaments in Pennsylvania

It’s easy to find upcoming HJGT events happening in Pennsylvania. Choose from Open-type events, Invitation-only, Major Championships, and College Prep events. Click on an event to learn more and register participants.

Hurricane Junior Golf has events happening all over the continental United States. From Invitationals to Open to the College Prep Series, see what is happening in your state below so you don’t miss out on a tournament or registration date.

HJGT Frequently Asked Questions

No way! You can play in any open HJGT event regardless of location and residence.

Players in the Boys U10 and Girls U13 division may use a caddie at all HJGT events. On each event registration page, you’ll find more details on our caddie policies.

For many of our events, we partner with local hotels and we strongly encourage our parents & players to make reservations in advance at these host properties.

Yes! All boys and girls ages 8-18 are welcome to register for our events.

Absolutely! More collegiate golfers got their start on the Hurricane Tour than with any other junior golf tour in the nation.

You can research “College Golf Programs in Pennsylvania,” locate contact information for the coaches at these institutions, and then contact them directly to inquire about their college golf programs. If you are interested in receiving assistance with the college recruiting process, HJGT recommends multiple free and fee-based college recruiting tools such as Junior Golf Hub , RecruitMe , and Junior Golf Guides , which offers a national email directory of every active college golf coach in the US.

Colleges are not affiliated with the HJGT, however, over the years, HJGT alumni have attended Pennsylvania schools such as: University of Pennsylvania, Penn State , Carnegie Mellon University , Lehigh University , Temple University , and more.

Yes, a majority of our events are ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard (JGS) and Global Junior Golf Rankings (GJGR). Many of our premium tournaments also qualify for AJGA stars, GolfWeek, and World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).

The HJGT is a wonderful opportunity for both seasoned veterans and kids who are new to competitive tournament play. While most of our events feature some of the top juniors in the country, our fields also feature boys & girls who are just getting started in competitive golf. If you are unsure about whether your child is ready for an HJGT event, feel free to call us at 407-614-2962 and a staff member will guide you through it.

The Hurricane Tour annual membership is the best value in junior golf! Whether you are brand new to competitive junior golf or a seasoned veteran hoping to impress college coaches, HJGT’s exclusive membership will enhance your tour experience.

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Junior Golf Tour

The Isaly’s Junior Golf Tour schedule includes 20 events, followed by the Player of the Year Championship. The field for each of the 20 pre-qualifying tournaments will be limited to the first 100 applicants. The Tri-State PGA Point System will be used to determine finishers in each event, and points will be cumulative. The top 10 finishers in each age category will qualify for the Player of the Year Championship and are included in the top 10 finishers. The Isaly’s Junior Player of the Year will be determined in each age division by the total number of points accumulated by participants during the 20 pre-qualifying rounds and the final championship. The Isaly’s Player of the Year Championship event will award double points (POY Championship details below).

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For any questions or issues, please call 724-774-2224 ext.63304

Fees Online Membership Fee : $100.00 Online Registration (per event): $75.00

Eligibility by age division.

• Boys 11 – 14
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Your division will be determined by your age on August 1, 2024

Please Note

1. Click the link Jr. Golf Tournament Registration & Results 2. You will receive an email when you are accepted into an event. 3. Once a player is accepted into any of the tournaments, NO REFUNDS will be issued! 4. Cell phones will be allowed on the golf course for MOBILE SCORING, RULES QUESTIONS, and EMERGENCIES. 5. Spectator carts will be allowed IF PERMITTED BY THE HOST FACILITY (Fees may apply)! 6. JUNIORS MUST WALK AND CARRY THEIR OWN BAGS OR MAY USE A PULL CART IF PERMITTED BY THE HOST FACILITY! 7. Computation of scores/finishes is the responsibility of each contestant. The TSPGA does not provide this information on an individual basis. 8. Tee times will be available on the website at least one week prior to each event or you may call the section office or the tournament site for your tee time. 9. The Junior Tour is open to boys and girls ages 11 - 18. Your division will be determined by your age on the date of the player's championship (August 1, 2024). All tournaments will be governed under United States Golf Association rules. 10. Distance measuring devices are permitted in any junior level event conducted by the Tri-State Section PGA. (SLOPE MODE is not permitted)

2024 Confirmed Events

Events are 18 Hole Individual Stroke Play *Schedule subject to change

2024 Isaly’s Player of the Year Championship

Thursday, august 1, 2024 nemacolin resort 1001 lafayette drive farmington, pa 15437, isaly’s player of the year point system.

**Double Points will be awarded at the Player of the Year Championship (i.e. 1st Place = 100 Points)

Juniors will be invited to compete in the Player of the Year Championship if they possess one of the following:

• Take 1st place in any tournament
• Rank within the Top 10 in cumulative point total in their respective age division at the conclusion of the season.

CANCELLATION / SUSPENSION OF PLAY POLICY

Due to inclement weather or unsafe playing conditions, the TSPGA Jr. Tournament Director has the authority to declare suspended or incomplete rounds (with 9 Hole minimum completed) as an official and complete tournament. No refunds will be made!

COMPUTATION OF SCORES / FINISHES IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH CONTESTANT. THE TSPGA DOES NOT PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.

Tour Championship

East Lake Golf Club

HOW SCOTTIE GOT SO GOOD

Golf Digest Logo Features

The PGA Tour vs. LIV: Inside the battle between a giant that won't budge and a startup that won't stop

The songs thundering through the course were indistinguishable, each pop track sounding like the one that came before. The only disruption was a voice. It was unclear to whom the voice belonged or where he was, although judging by the cadence and spirit it was more deejay than public announcer. The voice said a lot of things during the LIV Golf Invitational at Trump Bedminster in mid-July, most of which—like “Get on your feet!” and “Make some noise!” and “Who wants a free shirt?!”—was forgotten as soon as it was said. Yet how the voice ended each message was indelible, for it was both welcoming while serving as a warning.

“Thanks again for joining us at LIV Golf!” crooned the voice. “The future of golf … is here!”

The idea of a fledgling competitor to the PGA Tour has lurked in the shadows for years, discussed as a provocative hypothetical but one whose reality and viability were routinely dismissed. Only LIV Golf has proved in very little time how real and formidable it can be, siphoning talent from the PGA and DP World Tours and threatening a schism that could tear the collective tissue of professional golf into pieces.

The emergence of the Saudi-backed circuit has resulted in break-ups and alliances, and caused suspensions and lawsuits. It has made a game known for its civility become uncivil and brought politics and human-rights issues into a space supposedly reserved for sport. It has spurred reactions that span the emotional spectrum, from intrigue and excitement to existential angst and dread and everything in between.

While all that is true, they are mostly trappings of the present. What really matters is where this is going. Is the voice correct, that the novelty of LIV Golf is not just a curiosity but indeed the future? Or does the new venture share the destiny of so many other rogue professional leagues that similarly proposed disruption only to end in a graveyard? How secure is the PGA Tour and how does an entity shackled by finite resources do battle against not a company but a country with seemingly unlimited assets at its disposal? Is there room for cooperation? Coexistence? And if not, what are the ramifications the longer this war wages?

In pursuit of an answer Golf Digest spoke to more than 30 sources entrenched on both sides, along with a number of authorities outside the walls of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf who provided insight on how this could shake out. A look into LIV’s origins and its master plans, and the tour’s response to the threat, suggests professional golf is in the early stages of a dramatic overhaul.

Provided it doesn't implode first.

A Saudi long game

THE MAN BEHIND PROFESSIONAL GOLF’S RECKONING is not a golfer. He doesn’t care for sports, period. To understand where the schism is going you need to understand how it started, and with who.

Mohammed bin Salman, 36, is the crown prince, deputy prime minister, and minister of defense of Saudi Arabia. His father, Salman bin Abdulaziz, is the country’s king, but bin Salman is considered the de facto ruler. His rise to power over the past decade has transformed social and commercial life in the kingdom while strengthening the country’s position on the international stage as a geopolitical force.

“Saudi Arabia for the past 30 years was like watching a silent movie: one elderly king after another flickered across the screen saying nothing and doing nothing,” says Karen House, a Pulitzer Prize winner and former Wall Street Journal publisher who has covered Saudi Arabia extensively for four decades. “Saudi Arabia since 2016 is an IMAX movie on fast forward. Everything MBS does is big, bold, fast, loud, riveting.”

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Oct. 23, 2018.

FAYEZ NURELDINE

Bin Salman introduced Vision 2030, a blueprint to diminish Saudi Arabia’s reliance on oil by diversifying the economy and modernizing its public services. Some of its initiatives are not dissimilar from efforts of other countries, like combating unemployment and expanding e-commerce and technology. Others are high-profile projects like the development of ultra-luxury resorts and the construction of a megaproject city called Neom, which recently made news for its proposal of erecting two buildings each as tall as 1,600 feet that run parallel for 75 miles across coastal, mountain and desert terrain.

One of Vision 2030’s tenets is a “vibrant society,” and a means to reach this ambition is sports. It’s been a relatively successful venture, bringing in boxing, wrestling and tennis exhibitions, along with Formula 1 races to the kingdom. The country recently announced its bid to host the soccer AFC Women's Asian Cup, and in 2021 the Public Investment Fund—which is the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund—purchased an 80-percent stake in Newcastle United, a professional football club in the English Premier League.

"He doubles down. He is not accustomed to losing," House said of bin Salman. "When he fails at something, his inclination is to try harder."

Part of the sports campaign is Golf Saudi, led by Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who is part of bin Salman’s inner circle and serves as governor of the PIF. Al-Rumayyan is considered a passionate golfer, and his imagination for what the sport could do for Saudi Arabia is fertile. There are aspects that begin at the grassroots level, such as growing golf participation in Saudi Arabia and developing a national team and elite players, along with big-picture items, such as developing courses to aid tourism and hosting professional competitions. It is this last point that sparked the Saudi International into existence in 2019, a tournament that was initially sanctioned by the European Tour.

From an investment standpoint, LIV Golf is a small enterprise compared to other Vision 2030 projects. LIV Golf has somewhere in the neighborhood of $3 billion in funding; for context, Neom has a starting budget of $500 billion and the aforementioned 75-mile buildings are expected to cost $1 trillion and take 50 years to construct. However, the golf endeavor has heightened importance in the kingdom’s push for what it sees as a better tomorrow, multiple sources say. For one, Al-Rumayyan views LIV as his darling, and his voice carries particular weight in bin Salman’s circle. Another benefit is the conduit it can be to business and government leaders; it is not an accident LIV Golf has teamed with former U.S. President Donald Trump amid expectation Trump will begin his third campaign for the presidency this fall.

But a point that cannot be stressed enough, and arguably fuels the desire to make LIV Golf ultimately succeed, is bin Salman’s quest for total and absolute power, House says. They are sentiments at the heart of bin Salman’s reign.

“Despite sweeping social and economic changes that have liberated society, political life has moved in reverse,” House explains.

Bin Salman has continually and sometimes ruthlessly silenced dissidents. Human rights are oppressed. The Saudis have led a military invention in Yemen—out of fear that Yemen could be a satellite for Iran—and the resulting civil war has become a humanitarian crisis. A 2017 purge of nearly 400 princes, businessmen and religious leaders consolidated authority over every branch of the government. Saudis began calling bin Salman “Mr. Everything.” He does what he wants; the only person bin Salman answers to is his father, and House says bin Salman has his father’s total support.

Saudi Golf and, as an extension, Vision 2030 and bin Salman were rebuffed in their attempts to become part of golf’s political matrix with the PGA Tour and European Tour. The PGA Tour has been adamant it never held dialogue with LIV Golf or Golf Saudi, while the European Tour did listen to overtures before eventually coming to a “strategic alliance” with the PGA Tour . Theoretically, getting rejected from golf’s ecosystem should have scrapped the Golf Saudi project. That is not what bin Salman does.

“He doubles down. He is not accustomed to losing,” House explains. “When he fails at something, his inclination is to try harder.”

If golf’s current framework wouldn’t let the Saudis in, they would create their own. It sounds ambitious, and it is. But to those who dispute the formidable nature of LIV Golf, Golf Saudi and bin Salman, who hear grand ambitions of megacities in the desert and 75-mile buildings and laugh, it’s worth noting bin Salman’s true passion: video games. According to House, it explains both bin Salman’s fantastical aspirations and serves as a warning to his doubters.

“The reason he believes he can do anything is that, in the world of video games, anything is possible,” House says. “He’s in love with video games where all things are possible and believes that if you put your mind to it, that's what real life is like too.”

A startup unlike any other

THE QUESTION BORDERS ON OFFENSIVE: Are you, a Northwestern MBA, former chief operating officer of an MLS franchise and chief corporate development and brand officer for an NFL team, running a glorified PR exercise that will continue to hemorrhage money?

Atul Khosla, 43, left his job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to become the COO of LIV Golf in January 2022. Khosla is a sports-business veteran, and he wants to make one thing clear: This, too, is a business. A business that fully plans to turn a profit.

“If you look at the investment portfolio of our primary investor, PIF, they have invested all over the world in incredibly large businesses that they believe will be profitable,” Khosla says. “Their view of this is no different. That’s the expectation that we have from our board.

“Like any other startup, do we have upfront costs to get the product off the ground? Yes, we do. And it is no different than a burn rate that an Uber may have or any other startup tech might have to get the product off the ground with a vision of disrupting the space. We are fortunate, of course, to have an institution that has the patience to be able to go through this methodically and in the right fashion.”

Greg Norman, commissioner/CEO of LIV Golf, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and Majed Al Sorour, CEO of the Golf Saudi, stand on the first tee of the third round of the LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster in July.

Icon Sportswire

LIV executives constantly refer to their enterprise as a startup. It’s a touch humorous, given they’re going toe-to-toe with an established American sports institution; this is hardly four guys in a garage with a dream. Still, they will tell you that this entire inaugural year is essentially a beta test of their product, that they’ll make changes on the fly and react to what’s working and what isn’t. The vast majority of startups lose money before they make money—burn rate, to use one of Khosla’s MBA terms—and LIV certainly qualifies. It’s not just the hundreds of millions going to the likes of Phil Mickelson , Dustin Johnson , Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka . It’s the rumored $40 million going to the Ian Poulter types. LIV is spending so much money to launch a professional sports league. It’s paying players guaranteed money; the PGA Tour does not. It’s paying for players’ travel and accommodations; the PGA Tour does not. It’s paying for caddies’ travel and accommodations; the PGA Tour does not. The same is true for agents, coaches and player families. It’s paying each host venue a healthy fee to take over the property for a week. It’s paying a full staff of executives. It’s paying musicians to play concerts. It’s paying for the grandstands, the hospitality tents, the signage. It’s paying for the production of the broadcast.

"The value is driven purely by demand," one top agent says. "This is like a real-life fantasy league."

And LIV is doing all this with virtually no revenue to offset the costs. Tickets for the two U.S. events could be had for a few bucks. The broadcast airs free on YouTube, with no commercials. There was not a single corporate logo (other than LIV’s) present at either Pumpkin Ridge or Trump Bedminster. When asked about their surely warped balance sheet, LIV executives begin talking about the future. The vision. LIV Golf, they say, hasn’t even properly started.

That’ll happen next year, when LIV transitions from a series of invitational tournaments to a 14-event “league schedule.” The three events this year, with five more to come, have been a bit scrambled—different fields, different teams. That will not be the case in 2023; the plan is for 48 contracted players to play in all 14 events, and for 12 four-man teams to be set at the beginning of the year and stay consistent throughout the season.

“The way I would look at it,” says Ron Cross, who worked at both Augusta National and the PGA Tour before becoming LIV’s chief events officer, “we’ve compared ourselves to, and others have compared ourselves to, the Formula 1 model. When you go to an F1 race, it’s a consistent look and feel. But Austin has some uniqueness. And Monaco is a little different from Spain, and other markets. You’ll find us doing the same thing.”

And, according to multiple agents from across different agencies, the vast majority of those league spots are spoken for—so much so that LIV has turned away multiple players in the top 50 of the World Ranking who have expressed interest in negotiating a contract.

“One of my players sort of nudged me toward seeing if there might be an offer on the table,” says one agent, “and we were told, basically, 'Sorry. We’re full for next year.’”

More From Golf Digest

Formula 1 does seem to be the guiding light for LIV’s future vision—particularly as it pertains to the team component. There are 10 teams in Formula 1, each owned by a corporation: Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, Alpine, McLaren, Alfa Romeo, Haas F1, AlphaTauri, Aston Martin, Williams. Each team has two drivers under contract. The driver’s deals are with each specific team, not with Formula 1. That, eventually, seems to be the vision for LIV Golf: to have 12 distinct teams, each with its own ownership group, each with the power to sign its own players, cut them and trade them. In an ideal scenario, and this is far down the line, each team would function more like a traditional sports franchise with its own merchandise, C-level suites and corporate sponsorships.

All 12 teams are owned by LIV now, and some players—think the more high-profile names: Mickelson, DeChambeau, Koepka—have an equity stake in the teams they captain. LIV’s goal is to develop these franchises into brands with identities and fans, and then sell them either to corporations or wealthy individuals who essentially want the latest and greatest plaything. There is no shortage of billionaires who love golf and, theoretically, would be willing to cut a check to be closer to the action. To play in the pro-am with Bryson. To host Brooks for dinner. Who knows—maybe even join Dustin and Paulina on the boat.

“Sports ownership is a high-demand space, where much of the value is derived from scarcity,” says one agent for a top-20 player. “Obviously you have to build a league with real revenues, but these are sellable commodities even without that. It’s just supply and demand. The value is driven purely by demand. This is like a real-life fantasy league.”

'If you can't see it, you can't sell it'

THEY ARE BILLED AS FANCY NEW TOYS for the mega-rich. But to achieve their full brightness, LIV Golf’s franchises need a place to shine.

To players and potential sponsors and owners, the number LIV Golf has pitched has stayed consistent, sources tell Golf Digest: a $1 billion potential valuation for a four-man club. If that sounds fantastical it’s because it’s based on something that hasn’t happened yet.

“Until significant media deals are done to cover LIV Golf,” says Patrick Rishe, the founding director of the sports business program at Washington University, “LIV team values will be stunted.”

The first three LIV Golf events have been broadcast free on YouTube, Facebook and LIV Golf’s website, and the audience numbers have been modest. The LIV Golf Invitational at Bedminster drew an average of 74,000 viewers to its Sunday final round YouTube broadcast while the PGA Tour’s simultaneous broadcast of the Rocket Mortgage Classic on CBS drew an average of 2.5 million. To a person, those around LIV Golf assert a larger broadcast agreement is near, and even its detractors acknowledge some sort of distribution deal will likely be in place before 2023. Where it is distributed, or more specifically on what platform, may have a bigger impact on LIV Golf’s sustainability than any mega-star player it signs.

The 4 Aces Team of Pat Perez, Talor Gooch, Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson spray champagne after winning the team competition at the LIV Golf Invitational Series at Trump Bedminster.

To this point, all of the major television subsidiaries in the U.S. have shown little to no interest in LIV Golf, sources tell Golf Digest. NBC, CBS and ESPN just began a $7 billion, nine-year deal with the PGA Tour. The wild card is the FOX Corporation, which has multiple ties with LIV Golf. FOX founder and media tycoon Rubert Murdoch has a personal relationship with LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman; the two attempted to create a “World Golf Tour” in the mid-1990s, with Murdoch’s FOX Sports securing the rights. In January 2022, LIV Golf hired former FOX Sports President David Hill to help with production, and the right-leaning FOX News had a heavy presence at LIV Golf’s third event held at former President Trump’s Bedminster property. However, FOX abandoned its USGA agreement halfway through a 12-year deal, and even with the Trump connection sources say FOX Sports has not held serious discussions.

Sources say LIV Golf officials are aware immediate victory may not be had on the traditional television front in the United States and have pivoted to a streaming option. Some around LIV Golf insist streaming was the plan from the start, although multiple sources combat this notion. Nevertheless, be it orchestrated messaging or conviction that the league truly is close to a media deal, the importance of streaming was at the forefront of conversations at Trump Bedminster, with Mickelson making a case for why this is the best route to go.

“We, as a game and sport, the viewership has gone up five years to the average age, I believe, of 64, and we have to target the younger generation,” the six-time major winner said after Friday’s round at Bedminster. “I think that the way that's going to happen is two things. One, it's not a 12-hour day, having to watch golf all day. You've got a four-and-a-half-hour window. Second, when I think a streaming partner comes about, I think it's going to revolutionize the way golf is viewed, because you'll have no commercials and you'll have shot after shot after shot, and it will capture that younger generation's attention span. We'll open up a lot of opportunities to get the younger generation, which for 30 years we've tried to do and it's gone the other way.”

Streaming destinations are limited. Netflix has yet to dive into live sports. Hulu’s Disney/ESPN ties to the tour likely knock it out. Same with HBO Max and Discovery+ (Warner Bros. Discovery, which also owns Golf Digest) and Paramount Plus (CBS). Amazon Prime is getting into the sports space, but founder Jeff Bezos’ strained relationship with Saudi Arabia diminishes the prospect of a deal. Essentially, there is one home that has any subscription base to speak of, industry insiders tell Golf Digest: AppleTV.

The Apple, Inc. OTT service has not made the splash it hoped since launching in 2019, boasting only a little more than 33 million customers. (For context, Disney+ launched a week after AppleTV and claims 138 million subscribers.) To build its humble numbers, Apple has turned to live sports, signing deals with Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer in 2022, and LIV Golf could fit into that portfolio, sources say. Unlike the MLS, which signed a 10-year agreement, any LIV deal would likely be in the two- to three-year range, according to one source—enough time for LIV to prove it is a viable commodity. The buy-in would be relatively economical compared to other live sporting-event rights, both sources said, and nowhere near the neighborhood of the tour’s $7 billion, nine-year deal with NBC, ESPN and CBS. But LIV Golf isn’t necessarily looking for an infusion of cash in the same vein that other sporting leagues do with media rights. LIV is merely looking for publicity on a platform that adds validity to what it’s trying to do. (AppleTV has not responded to a request for comment.)

“Sponsor value for any team or league is driven by eyeballs, because one main purpose of any sponsor deal is generating awareness and exposure for your product. If you can't see it, you can't sell it,” Rishe says. “[It’s] incredibly hard to achieve awareness and exposure without a solid TV or streaming deal.”

But Rishe adds a caveat: “Until LIV attains a solid media-rights deal with a legacy network, this will place a de facto ceiling on the value of sponsor deals.”

Other experts agree that though media consumption is drastically evolving with more platforms and choices than ever before, a streaming-only deal will hamper LIV Golf. Most sports and especially golf are still watched in traditional, linear fashion. It’s one of the reasons sports rights are so expensive: They are one of the few programs watched as scheduled. Moreover, while LIV’s focus may be on a younger crowd, the type of companies that are involved in the golf business tend to target the older, affluent audience. Even with bringing in new sponsors that haven’t been in the space before, LIV Golf will need to tap into those existing advertisers.

“You need the high-earner male in his mid-50s. People don’t want to hear that, but that’s who buys the expensive products that are advertised on professional golf,” says Neal Pilson, former president of CBS Sports. “That’s what drives the golf ship. That’s the important sponsor support golf brings and makes it a commodity.”

LIV Golf has positioned itself as a global entity, to grab regions that the game has historically ignored. But that creates an issue in establishing a TV deal that Pilson and others in tour circles assert about the LIV Golf model.

“This won’t be the World Cup. This won’t be the British Open. People aren’t going to get up at 3 a.m. to watch in a different country,” Pilson says. “[This] could explain why [none of the traditional channels] want it. So it goes to streaming so customers can watch it on their time. Well, millennials will check their phones or computers to see the results of something that happened 12 hours ago, and once you see the results there’s a good chance you won’t watch. There are a lot of drawbacks with the streaming idea.”

Though it’s far from the affluent and older consumer that makes golf advertising so valuable despite its niche reach, the 18- to 35-year-old demo has value to marketers because if they capture that demo’s business early they can make a lifetime customer to maximize their return on marketing investment. And younger audiences do tend to gravitate towards streamers and cord-cutting services over legacy networks.

There’s the chance LIV Golf buys airtime with a channel. Or maybe LIV buys an entire channel.

But, as Rishe points out, the young audiences pose their own problem—specifically towards LIV. “Studies have shown that Gen Z and Alpha Gen consumers are more socially aware and care more about what the companies they buy from stand for,” Rishe says. “So as long as the ‘sportswashing’ undercurrent dogging LIV exists, LIV may have very little success courting corporate America.”

Of course, there’s a way around the TV issues in the U.S., Pilson explains, and it’s a thought that a number of tour officials mention as a worst-case scenario. Given the resources behind it, there’s the chance LIV Golf buys airtime with a channel, especially with many struggling to find new revenue streams in the cord-cutting era. Or maybe LIV buys an entire channel.

“I think if they do get it, it'll probably be on a cable channel that is comfortable with some negative responses [being associated with LIV Golf],” Pilson says. “That could use the money because LIV could buy its way onto a cable channel, just the way it buys the golfers to go play.”

With its own channel, LIV Golf wouldn’t have to worry about alternating its condensed, shotgun-start format and could keep it commercial-free. One person associated with LIV’s franchise efforts made the case that ad-free presentations bring value to the sponsors of each club. “Golf fans have made it known they hate the growing amount of dead time in golf broadcasts,” the source said. “By showing them more golf, our sponsors get more direct time with a consumer that is more native and agreeable to the viewing experience instead of banging them over the head with a commercial.”

It’s far from what LIV Golf wants to do. But it is a card they could play if realizing the streaming reach is not enough.

Nevertheless, in a scenario where LIV Golf has both streaming and traditional distribution behind it, the operation can start wooing legitimate sponsors, knowing their endorsements will be seen by far more than 74,000 viewers. In that scenario, the $1 billion franchise valuation, while still fantastical, doesn’t seem quite as outrageous. In that scenario, LIV Golf goes from tour nuisance to a full-on competitor.

'We're not interested in exhibition golf'

THE PGA TOUR HAS TAKEN THE HARDEST OF HARD-LINE stances against LIV Golf. The message from Ponte Vedra headquarters has been clear since rumors of the “Saudi Golf League”—the name that Monahan and the tour insist on using—began percolating in early 2020, and it underlined the unwillingness to listen to LIV’s initial proposal. The tour’s stance, to put it simply, was: This is not good for golf, and you’re either with us or you’re with them.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has thus far taken a hard-line stance against LIV Golf, including the ban of players who have moved to the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit.

Richard Heathcote

The PGA Tour wasted little time this year drawing its line in the sand by informing its membership on May 10 that no releases would be granted for the first LIV event in London, and that players who participated anyway would be in violation of the PGA Tour handbook and subject to discipline. Once the first tee shots were hit at Centurion Golf Club at the same time on June 8—shotgun start and all—the PGA Tour announced immediate suspensions for all its members in the LIV field. This stance was immediately and very publicly lambasted by Norman, who called the move “anti-golfer, anti-fan and anti-competitive.” Norman and his associates have lobbed insults and taunts at the PGA Tour throughout the past couple months; the PGA Tour has been more careful in its communications and word choice, but Monahan has not wavered in his opposition to LIV’s existence.

"We want to be additive to the ecosystem," LIV's Khosla says. "We are very willing and want to continue to work with all the tours."

Despite the combativeness, LIV officials insist they’d love a meeting with PGA Tour executives.

“That has been our desire from the get-go,” Khosla says. “We want to be, and we believe we are, additive to the ecosystem. We are very willing and want to continue to work with all the tours. … I would love to [talk to the PGA Tour]. I would absolutely love to. And even if it’s just to build the relationship, I very much welcome the opportunity to do that.”

Some PGA Tour players want peace accords to take place. At the Open Championship, Jon Rahm responded to a question about the future of the Ryder Cup by expressing a desire for the bickering parties to come to the negotiation table. There was also Rory McIlroy, the de facto spokesman for the PGA Tour throughout this schism, saying at the J.P. McManus Pro-Am in July that he believed it was time for both sides to talk.

“If these people are serious about investing billions of dollars into golf, I think ultimately that’s a good thing,” McIlroy said. “But it has to be done the right way and I think if they were to invest, having it be invested inside the existing structures.”

Tour executives, however, seem to have no interest in such discussions or any parceling of the calendar. The PGA Tour declined to speak with Golf Digest for this story, but a spokesman did convey their ultimate position: “What exactly would we be discussing? The tour isn’t for sale, and we’re not interested in exhibition golf.”

Rory McIlroy has been among the most vocal supporters of the PGA Tour and has said it's worth listening to LIV Golf if it's interested in investing in a proven commodity.

Stuart Franklin/R&A

Which, of course, makes sense. The PGA Tour’s rigid stance is no doubt a strategic play, but one drawback of that approach is that it makes later cooperation that much less feasible. Instead, Monahan has vowed both privately and publicly to focus on improving his own tour. It started well before the first LIV event, when the tour devised the Player Impact Program as a way to reward its most famous players for something not directly related to their on-course performance. Despite the tour’s insistence that such a program was in the works long before, the PIP is widely seen on tour as a preemptive response to LIV—ironic, then, that five of the initial 10 winners have since left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf—though the inaugural PIP winner, Tiger Woods, reportedly turned down a $700 million to $800 million offer from LIV. And in a June press conference, Monahan outlined a number of rather significant changes to the PGA Tour’s structure, which again seemed heavily influenced by the existential challenge he faces. The general theme: more money going to the best players, a return to a calendar-year schedule and doubling down on its signature heritage events.

Starting for the 2023 FedEx Cup Playoffs, only 70 PGA Tour players—down from 125—will make it to the postseason and keep full status for the next season. The top 50 in the final FedEx Cup standings also will qualify for lucrative, no-cut “international series” events that will be held outside the U.S. in the fall. And purses for eight invitational events throughout the season are increasing to an average of $20 million per event. Rather than negotiate with LIV, the PGA Tour is banking that its proven business model, continued added investment in its own product, and the willingness to adapt—including veering away from its 72-hole format more often—will continue to make the circuit the best place to play professional golf. And that talented new prospects will fill the void left by others who might have left for LIV.

New and current stars will be paid handsomely. The PGA Tour has begun circulating a document to players that projects how much money they would’ve earned had their careers begun during the upcoming 2022-23 season based on a four percent year-over-year growth in the tour’s total comprehensive earnings. The projected figures are staggering: If Jim Furyk, who is now 52 years old, began his rookie season in 2022-23 and had the same 28-year career—including 17 wins—his total compensation from the PGA Tour would exceed $620 million. (Furyk’s current actual earnings are $71.5 million.) To sample a few others: Rory McIlroy would be at $373 million; Jordan Spieth at $240 million; Brandt Snedeker at $180 million; Ryan Palmer at $100 million; Keegan Bradley at $97 million; Jason Gore at $21 million.

But those projections do not include any guaranteed money—instead, they are calculated by applying future payment structures to past earnings.

“All of this money we’re projecting will be earned on a competitive basis,” the PGA Tour executive said, “and that’s a hallmark of the PGA Tour. Even with the PIP program, there are different components, but you’ve earned those based on how you’ve competed.”

Of course, this is a projection of a tomorrow that is under tour control. It also must reckon with a future it doesn’t fully control.

The next battlefront

ON AUG. 3, MICKELSON, DECHAMBEAU AND NINE OTHER LIV GOLF MEMBERS filed a lawsuit against the tour, believing the suspensions they received for defecting constituted antitrust actions . It is a lawsuit the PGA Tour has expected and feels confident about being in the right. History is on the tour’s side. It has successfully defended itself against antitrust claims from Morris Communications Corporation regarding the tour’s limitations on real-time scoring, and it prevailed in former tour player Harry Toscano’s Clayton Act antitrust lawsuit against the Senior PGA Tour. It also won a class-action lawsuit brought by caddies against the tour using antitrust and intellectual property claims.

Phil Mickelson is among the LIV players who brought an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour for not allowing them to play.

Jonathan Ferrey/LIV Golf

This is a different battle, and the tour is also staring down an antitrust probe from the Department of Justice. It’s worth noting the Federal Trade Commision concluded after a four-year investigation in the early 1990s that the tour had violated antitrust laws—partially due to the rule stipulating permission for a conflicting-event release—and recommended federal action. But no action was ultimately taken, a circumstance credited to the work of then-PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem (a lawyer himself who worked in President Jimmy Carter’s administration) and the tour’s lobbying mastery. Coincidentally, this clashed with Norman’s first try to challenge the PGA Tour through his attempt to launch the World Tour. This time, the tour is facing an entity that can match, if not usurp, its lobbying efforts. This time, the tour could lose.

The battle will be fought on multiple fronts. There are players who have not jumped but will, both after the FedEx Cup and Presidents Cup, along with those who defect after 2023 or 2024. While the first wave of LIV members mostly constituted injury-prone players, rank-and-file names, those past 40 and maligned personalities, LIV likely will sign those who are young, transcendent and marketable.

There are multiple sponsors, sources tell Golf Digest, that aren’t exactly thrilled with the tour’s handling of the LIV situation. Though the new media-rights deal accounts for most of the added money in bonuses and purses, the tour has gone to companies looking to aid its new fall series, and the reception has thus far been cold, sources say. Existing partners, upset at sponsoring tournaments with depleted fields, are not crazy about giving the tour more money. There is a fear in tour circles that if the circuit pushes too hard, these companies could eventually go to the other side.

Then there is the tour’s own media rights. Its new agreement started in 2022 and runs to 2030. Concerns that CBS, NBC or ESPN would want to renegotiate or invalidate its deal if the tour continues to lose a number of its marquee attractions are fair, although multiple sources with these stakeholders say, at this point, they are not worried about a diluted product and are in lockstep with the tour. Of greater worry for the tour are potential deals down the road. These media agreements are worked out years in advance, and sources tell Golf Digest the current deal was mostly finished by the middle of 2019. A LIV Golf circuit that is fully operational in 2025—and one that has a defined future—could wreak havoc on anything the tour hopes for in its new media framework.

The tour’s position against LIV is not just public posturing; those around the tour insist Monahan and his staff believe what he says to be true. But players, agents and others in the industry see how the tour is under siege and envision that peace—or at least a detente—will have to be struck to stave off a watered-down tour. So what would cooperation between LIV and the PGA Tour look like?

Make no mistake, there are reasons why cooperation might work for both sides. LIV Golf, which seemingly holds momentum, gets what it initially wanted: acceptance into the current framework. Saudi Arabia and Vision 2030 receive a blessing from a globally recognized institution that pushes them closer to the perception of a modernized culture. LIV Golf members get to keep the enormous sums they made and get the freedom they once had on the tour to pick their schedules. Not for nothing, it keeps the door open to play in major championships and Ryder Cup—a path that seemingly is starting to close and one that could be shut completely if LIV doesn’t receive OWGR accreditation. (As one Augusta National source relayed after the filing of the Mickelson lawsuit: “Know a good way to get curbed by ANGC? Bring ANGC into a lawsuit.”)

For the tour, things are messier. Yes, the LIV Golf financial resources would help subsidize the tour and its purses, the membership would be made whole again and a potential PGA Tour-LIV agreement would be perceived less of a merger and more of an acquisition. But there is the reality of weakening a previously strong stance and the optics that come with it. Would player suspensions—assuming the tour hasn’t lost the lawsuit—be dropped? How would it handle blowback from its existing members, who watched LIV members cash huge paydays and ultimately be allowed back while they missed out on similar opportunities out of loyalty? Even in a treaty there will be casualties.

In the days after the LIV golfers filed their suit, the tone from PGA Tour players toward their peers who jumped to LIV changed. While once respectful of the decision made to move on, there was more venom toward them as they went ahead with a legal challenge. 

“Their vision is cherry-picking what events they want to play on the PGA Tour," Billy Horschel, a former PGA Tour Policy Board member, said. "Obviously, that would be the higher World Ranking events and bigger purses. It’s frustrating. They made a decision to leave, and they should go follow their employer. I know there are guys a lot more angry and frustrated about it than me.”

Another victim in this fight could be the postseason race on the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour). While LIV Golf’s 2023 season will be spread across the calendar, multiple sources lay out a scenario in which the PGA Tour ultimately allows space for LIV Golf to operate during the fall, effectively taking the place of the yet-to-be-announced international series. LIV has already telegraphed it’s not opposed to this time frame: Five of its eight events this year occur after the FedEx Cup Playoffs have concluded. The tour would still use autumn to provide for those outside the top 50 to wrestle for following-year status, conceding its stars would play elsewhere in September, October and November. It’s a tough swallow for the tour, yet better to lose them during the football portion of the sports calendar than for the entire year. Unfortunately, the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai takes place in November, and while it could survive the PGA Tour’s three-event international series, a LIV Golf fall itinerary likely involves a minimum of five to six events. Moving the Race to Dubai to the end of summer would coincide with the tour playoffs. The DP World Tour already faces the knock of being a feeder circuit; a potential retrofitting would compound that stigma.

Although it’s a bit more far-fetched, there’s also the chance for LIV Golf competitions to be held during the tour’s season. There are a handful of tournaments that have struggled with sponsorship for years that could be vulnerable, and the fact that the WGCs having gone from four to one raises the question if LIV could take over the Match Play. There would be matters to sort out—who qualifies for the LIV events, how TV/streaming deals would work, and would the events be co-sanctioned.

The alternative is this: A professional golf landscape that looks a lot like professional boxing—a realm with multiple organizations and almost zero unification that has turned a once-popular sport into a niche entertainment. The game’s attention could be divided between a league that has popular figures but tournaments that border on exhibition, up against a traditional power that has real competition but has lost some of its most high-profile competitors. As one major championship official opined, “The PGA Tour could become what the Euro Tour is now, and LIV Golf would be like the Pro Bowl—big names, horrible watch.”

In regards to majors, there’s the theory that the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship could be strengthened in a divided game, the already heightened weeks gaining importance if they’re the only four occasions when the entire sport gathers. But if the majors back the PGA Tour and restrict LIV Golf members from participating, they too will lose weight.

Should the DP World Tour and PGA of America stay true to their LIV threats, the Ryder Cup could be lost. Fair or not, the onus is on the PGA Tour to keep it together. Most of LIV’s members have already shown they don’t care about consequences, at least enough to prevent them from padding their bank accounts. The tour didn’t start the schism, yet it may be the only thing standing in the way of preventing the sport from ripping in two.

After the beta test

THEY SEE WHAT YOU SEE. The misspellings of player names, getting their members’ nationalities wrong, the press-conference disasters. For an organization trying its best to rid itself of sportswashing accusations, LIV Golf has been unable to put its best foot forward without tripping over the other through its first three events.

But it’s worth remembering this inaugural season is a trial run of sorts, and not just for those inside the ropes. Prior to the weekend at Trump Bedminster, one LIV liaison said the summer had been “revealing.” This person put the LIV workers into two groups: the adults and the children. The children are the ones making mistake after mistake, or they took a LIV offer as an early retirement package thinking little would be involved. The adults … they see what LIV has already done and what it could be once the children are sent packing. “If everyone would stop ragging on [LIV], you could see how good it can be,” the consultant said. Eventually, this person maintained, LIV would get things right.

The event at Bedminster was eventually won by Henrik Stenson. To grab the millions at LIV, the Swede had to surrender the Ryder Cup captaincy, a role and responsibility that was once viewed as priceless. For him to win millions, Europe had to lose its Ryder Cup captain. His decision to join was a zero-sum game. You didn’t have to squint to see the symmetry.

Do Pros Use Push Carts?

When it comes to the use of push carts among professional golfers, the topic can spark some interesting debate. At many levels of the sport, from amateur to professional, the choice of equipment can play a significant role in a player’s performance and overall experience on the course. However, when it comes to pros specifically, the use of push carts is not as prevalent as one might think.

One of the primary reasons why professional golfers typically do not use push carts is the presence of caddies. Unlike amateur players who often have to carry their own bags or use push carts for assistance, professional golfers have the luxury of having a caddy to carry their clubs and provide support throughout their rounds. With this level of personalized service, the need for a push cart becomes largely unnecessary.

Another factor that contributes to the rarity of push cart usage among pros is the tradition and culture of the game. Golf has a long history of being a sport where players walk the course, and having a caddy to carry your bag has been a part of that tradition for many years. For professional golfers, adhering to these customs and norms is often seen as part of the game’s etiquette and respect for its traditions.

Additionally, the physical demands of professional golf can also play a role in the decision to forego push carts. Professional golfers are finely tuned athletes who undergo rigorous training to stay in top physical condition for tournament play. As such, they are typically fit enough to carry their bags for the duration of a round without the need for additional assistance.

Furthermore, the use of push carts among pros can also be seen as a matter of preference and personal choice. While some professional golfers may opt to use a push cart for convenience or health reasons, the majority tend to stick to the traditional method of having their caddies carry their bags. This choice may also be influenced by sponsorship agreements or endorsements with equipment manufacturers.

It is important to note that there have been instances where professional golfers have used push carts during tournaments, especially in cases where caddies are not permitted or available. In such situations, the use of push carts can provide practical assistance and help alleviate some of the physical strain of carrying a heavy bag over 18 holes.

Overall, while the use of push carts among professional golfers may not be as common as in other levels of the sport, it ultimately comes down to personal preference, tradition, and the unique circumstances of each player. Whether a pro chooses to use a push cart or rely on their caddy, the most important factor is how it impacts their performance and enjoyment of the game.

Robert Akin

Philly PGA Jr

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