Steph Curry at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Edgewood Tahoe on July 11, 2025.
Golf Has Never Been Cooler: How the Sport Conquered Pop Culture originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Golf used to be all stuffy country clubs and "quiet on the tee." Now? Travis Scott's dropping sold-out golf shoes and Snoop Dogg's talking about bringing more flavor to Augusta.
It's been incredible to watch. Sure, some golf traditionalists probably hate it, but honestly? I'm here for all of it. There is a place for the games tradition, and most who have started embracing golf over the past few years respect that. Here's the thing, though: if you stay stagnant, you die, or at least fade away into obscurity.
I say respect and honor the tradition but embrace the new and exciting!
I'm a PGA Professional, and I've watched this whole thing unfold. The sport I love has spent decades keeping people out with unspoken rules and intimidating traditions. What's happening now isn't just cool—it's necessary if golf wants to survive.
Go to TopGolf any Friday night. You'll find people in their twenties drinking cocktails and smashing balls to Drake songs. Zero hushed reverence. Zero stuffy dress codes. This definitely isn't the golf your grandfather played, and that's precisely what makes it exciting.
I'll be unpacking all of this on Athlon Sports over the next few months—how pop culture is completely changing what golf looks like.
Hip-Hop Owns Golf Now
Tyler the Creator made golf part of his brand with Golf Wang. Golf polos became as cool as Supreme drops. Travis Scott took it further—his Nike golf shoes sell out faster than concert tickets. His Air Jordan 1 Low Golf "Neutral Olive" proved golf gear could be functional and fashionable.
DJ Khaled recently teased a full Cactus Jack x Nike Golf collection. When golf collaborations generate sneaker-level hype, you know something major shifted.
Snoop Dogg says golf needs more "cool." He's positioning himself as hip-hop's golf ambassador, pushing for outreach to inner cities to find "the next Tiger." When Snoop calls the sport "garbage" without Tiger Woods, he's highlighting why diverse representation matters.
I'll be exploring hip-hop's full impact on golf fashion and culture in upcoming pieces.
Country Music Gets It
Country artists and golf make perfect sense. Darius Rucker has hosted charity tournaments for over a decade. Jake Owen nearly went pro before an injury led him to music. Luke Combs loves golf so much that he gets featured on U.S. Open broadcasts.
Country music and golf share values: outdoor recreation, competition, community. This crossover deserves its own deep dive, which I'll provide in future coverage.
Athletes Cross Over
Michael Jordan's golf obsession is legendary. But Stephen Curry showed how golf complements other sports. His skills and youth golf initiatives prove the sport can be aspirational and accessible.
Tony Romo went from NFL quarterback to serious golfer with professional attempts. As someone who's worked with athletes transitioning to golf, their competitive drive inspires new demographics to pick up clubs.
I'll examine specific athlete success stories and their cultural impact in upcoming articles.
Hollywood Embraces the Course
Bill Murray's Pro-Am antics have become legendary. The American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe is now must-watch TV. These events prove golf doesn't need to be serious to be compelling.
When celebrities negotiate golf time into contracts or play before dawn to fit rounds in, they're saying golf is worth prioritizing.
Social Media Changed Everything
Golf's digital transformation democratized access like traditional media never could. Paige Spiranac built massive followings by making golf approachable. Good Good Golf turned golf into Netflix-level entertainment. TikTok created viral golf moments reaching audiences who might never visit traditional courses.
As a PGA Professional, social media creators revolutionized golf instruction. They made golf feel accessible and fun when the traditional industry struggled for decades.
I'll profile the most influential golf content creators and analyze how they're reshaping participation.
TopGolf Reimagined Golf
TopGolf and Drive Shack reimagined golf as a social entertainment experience, rather than a solitary sport. When you can enjoy golf with friends over drinks and music, exclusivity barriers crumble.
Golf Stays Cool, Gets Inclusive
Golf maintained its aspirational appeal while becoming inclusive. It still represents success and leisure, but isn't confined to one demographic anymore.
When DJ Khaled posts "Let's Go Golfing" to millions or Travis Scott hosts charity tournaments, they're redefining who belongs in golf culture.
Golf embraced personality, style, and social media. The sport that once had strict dress codes now celebrates Travis Scott's backward Swoosh designs.
As a PGA Professional passionate about growing the game, this renaissance represents everything I hoped to see. Increasing multiculturalism and accessibility aren't just good business—they're essential for survival. When young people of all backgrounds get excited about golf because their favorite artist plays, we're headed in the right direction.
Golf's cultural shift isn't about celebrity endorsements or social buzz—it's a fundamental move toward inclusivity. When hip-hop artists, country stars, and influencers find common ground on the course, golf figured out how to be aspirational and welcoming.
Over the coming months on Athlon Sports, I'll explore each crossover in detail—celebrity athletes influencing participation, music and movies reshaping golf's image, individual influencers redefining what it means to be a golfer. This is just the beginning.
Related: The Story with Rory: McIlroy's Post-Masters Struggles Show Human Side of Greatness
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
