Nina Caldwell
Is golf back? Well, it seems like it's certainly making a comeback. In 2021, Donald Trump commented that for golf to get back to normal, there would need to be big crowds and no masks. This was in reference to the return of live golf on television, with the PGA Tour planning to return in June 2021. In addition, the sport of golf is making a return to screens in the form of the long-awaited sequel to the cult classic 'Happy Gilmore', starring Adam Sandler. The film features several PGA stars, including Rory McIlroy, and is set to be released on Netflix.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Donald Trump's idea of golf getting back to normal | Having thousands of fans who aren’t wearing masks in attendance and “practically standing on top of each other” |
| Trump joined the NBC broadcast | TaylorMade Driving Relief, a Skins game involving Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson against Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff |
| First live golf on television since | March 12, 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down golf and other sports |
| PGA Tour plans to return | June 11, 2021, at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas |
| Donald Trump's Turnberry golf course | Back in consideration to host a British Open |
| Next British Open | 2028 |
| Tiger Woods' first tournament | Zozo Championship in Thousand Oaks, California |
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What You'll Learn
Golf tournaments during the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the world of golf, affecting both amateur and professional levels of the sport. Golf courses, tournaments, and coaches have had to adapt to new coronavirus protocols and social distancing measures.
Many golf courses were forced to shut down during the peak of the pandemic, but gradually reopened as people recognised that the sport could be played while maintaining social distance. The PGA Tour, for instance, resumed in June 2020 without spectators and with new guidelines in place. The LPGA also resumed tournaments, with the Drive On Championship taking place in July 2020. The PGA Tour was one of the few sports leagues to complete a season with minimal interruptions and positive cases. They managed to host 26 events, with 19 players and caddies testing positive out of 6,682 participants.
Golf tournaments have had to adapt to ensure compliance with COVID-19 guidelines. This included limiting the number of participants, moving auctions online, and amplifying player gift bags to add value for sponsors. The pandemic also presented opportunities for innovation, with organisations like FMP Productions developing COVID-friendly tournaments in collaboration with foundations such as The Greg Hill Foundation and the Bourque Family Foundation.
Despite the challenges, golf has experienced a surge in popularity during the pandemic. With gyms closed, people sought outdoor activities like golf that allowed for social distancing. The sport's resurgence was also driven by younger generations, with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour attracting a younger audience with a more casual and fun atmosphere.
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Donald Trump's opinion on golf returning to normal
Golf has always been a passion for Donald Trump, who started playing while at university. He acquired and constructed golf courses from 1999, and by 2016, he owned 17 courses worldwide through his holding company, the Trump Organization. Trump's love of golf has even affected American diplomacy, with the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, playing golf with him five times, helping them to become personally close.
Trump's view on golf returning to normal after the pandemic was expressed in 2021, when he stated that golf getting back to normal meant having big crowds and no masks. He joined the NBC broadcast of a charity match, 'TaylorMade Driving Relief', which was live golf's return to television.
Trump's passion for golf has often been a source of controversy. He has been accused of politicizing the pandemic and criticized for potential conflicts of interest regarding his business holdings. Trump has also been accused of cheating at golf, with footage from one of his trips to Scotland in 2025 appearing to show a caddy dropping a ball in front of him. Despite this, Trump maintains his love of the game, and it continues to be a significant part of his life and presidency.
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Golf's return to television
Golf made its return to television on the NBC broadcast of "TaylorMade Driving Relief", a skins game involving Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, and Matthew Wolff. This marked the first live golf event since the COVID-19 pandemic halted sports activities on March 12. While no fans or media were allowed at the Skins match, the PGA Tour planned its return on June 11 at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, albeit without spectators for at least the first month.
The Zozo Championship, moved from Japan to Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California, due to the pandemic, also contributed to golf's return to television. The tournament featured top golfers such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, and Justin Thomas. Golf enthusiasts could watch the action live on The Golf Channel, which provided daily coverage from 5 to 8 p.m. ET. Additionally, Hulu with Live TV, AT&T TV Now's Max package, and Sling TV's Blue package with the Sports Extra add-on offered access to the Golf Channel for a fee.
The return of golf to television screens brought excitement, with President Donald Trump expressing his eagerness to see the sport "back to normal." He envisioned large crowds without masks, reminiscent of pre-pandemic times. However, the PGA Tour initially took a cautious approach, prioritizing the health and safety of participants and gradually easing back into hosting tournaments with in-person audiences.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted golf, just like many other sports, but the resumption of tournaments and their broadcast on television signaled a step towards a sense of normalcy and provided a much-needed respite for golf enthusiasts worldwide.
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Tiger Woods' return to golf tournaments
Despite his injuries, Woods remained optimistic about his abilities, stating that he could "absolutely" still win tournaments. Woods had planned to start his 2024 season at the Genesis International in Los Angeles, aiming to compete in about one tournament a month. However, he underwent additional surgery on his back in September 2024, causing him to skip the Hero World Challenge that year.
Woods' return to the PGA Tour at the 2025 Genesis Invitational was highly anticipated, but he withdrew just days after announcing his intention to play. He had also been preparing for the 2025 Masters before suffering a setback with surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon. It is unclear when Woods will return to competitive play, and many speculate about his future in the sport due to his age and physical condition.
However, Woods has continued to be an influential figure in golf, becoming a co-owner of the Jupiter Links Golf Club and developing a new Monday night golf league with Rory McIlroy, which was scheduled to debut in 2025. While Woods has faced challenges in his return to competitive golf, his determination and influence in the sport remain undeniable.
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Donald Trump's Turnberry golf course
Trump Turnberry, previously known as Turnberry golf course, is a world-renowned golf destination in Scotland. The resort, which includes a hotel and golf courses, was purchased by former US President Donald Trump in 2014 for $60 million and was renamed Trump Turnberry. Trump Turnberry features two 18-hole courses and one 9-hole course, including the legendary Ailsa Course, which has hosted four Open Championships. The Ailsa Course was redesigned by Mackenzie Ross between 1949 and 1951 and renovated again by Martin Ebert between 2015 and 2016. It offers a challenging experience for even the most skilled golfers with its tough opening holes.
In addition to the Ailsa Course, Trump Turnberry unveiled the King Robert the Bruce course in 2017, named after the first king of Scotland. This course spans 7,203 yards and offers par-72 golf with spectacular views of the Ayrshire coast, including the iconic Turnberry lighthouse, castle ruins, and the coastline.
Trump Turnberry has faced some controversies, including scrutiny over its financing in relation to Russian interference in the 2016 US elections. There have also been concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving increased military expenditure at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. In 2023, the management company SLC Turnberry Ltd. reported pre-tax losses of £3.7 million ($4.57 million) in 2021. The course was also vandalized in 2025 by pro-Palestinian activists protesting Trump's proposal regarding Gaza.
Despite these controversies, Trump Turnberry continues to be a sought-after golf destination, recognized as "Europe's Best Golf Hotel" in 2022 by World Golf Awards. The Trump Organization claims to have spent approximately $200 million on renovations, with $18 million accounted for in 2016. The resort offers state-of-the-art facilities, including The Golf Academy, which provides golf training and tuition set against a scenic backdrop.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, golf is back on TV. The Golf Channel is broadcasting live coverage of the Zozo Championship, featuring Tiger Woods.
Yes, golf is back with fans. President Donald Trump commented that he wants to see golf "back to normal" with big crowds and no masks.
Yes, Donald Trump's Turnberry golf course is back in consideration to host a British Open. The next possible date for the event is 2028.
Yes, Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore is back with a sequel, "Happy Gilmore 2".
