Golf's Drug Testing: What's The Policy?

Drug testing in golf has been a topic of discussion for many years, with the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) implementing a drug-testing programme in 2008. The PGA Tour's list of banned drugs is based on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list, which includes substances like human growth hormones (HGH) and performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). While the PGA has been accused of not actively enforcing these rules, they introduced blood testing in 2017 and updated their banned list to match that of Olympic athletes. The PGA has also raised the threshold for positive marijuana tests, reflecting the changing legal status of cannabis and the medicinal use of THC and CBD products. The new policies aim to prevent competitive advantages while recognising the recreational use of certain substances.

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The PGA Tour's new drug-testing program

The PGA Tour has been criticised for its lack of transparency in the past. While it does have an anti-doping programme, it does not reveal the results of drug tests unless a player is suspended. However, the PGA Tour is now rolling out a new drug-testing programme to coincide with the start of the new season. The new programme will include blood testing for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and will bring the PGA Tour's banned substances list in line with that of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The PGA Tour has also committed to reporting all suspensions for failing tests to the public. This means that there will no longer be speculation about whether a player's absence from a tournament is due to injury or suspension. The banned substances list will also be updated to match the one used for Olympic athletes.

The new programme has been applauded by a player who has smoked marijuana regularly for several years. They note that the amount of marijuana that can be in a player's system is being raised by a factor of 10, from 15 nanograms to 150 nanograms. This is in line with the threshold set by the International Olympic Committee in 2013. The player also notes that the priority of the testing is to prevent athletes from gaining a competitive advantage, not to embarrass them.

The PGA Tour's policy states that athletes can be tested through the collection of blood or urine samples, both in and out of competition, and without prior notice. The testing threshold is set at a high level to avoid detection of second-hand marijuana smoke. The Tour says it is unlikely that golfers would use cannabinoids to improve performance, but some athletes have reported using marijuana to decrease anxiety before a competition.

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Performance-enhancing drugs in golf

The use of performance-enhancing drugs in golf has been a topic of discussion and speculation for many years. While it is difficult to determine the exact prevalence of drug use in the sport, there have been several instances of golfers testing positive for banned substances and public discussions among players and commentators about the issue.

In 2017, the PGA Tour announced that it would implement blood testing for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and report all drug suspensions starting with the next season. This was a significant development, as the PGA Tour had previously been criticised for its slow response to the issue of performance-enhancing drugs in golf. The European Tour, for example, standardised its drug testing policy in 2008 to comply with French sports regulations for tournaments held in France.

Some golfers have expressed concern about the potential for accidentally failing a drug test due to the use of prescription medications or tainted supplements. For example, beta-blockers and ADHD medications like Adderall have been mentioned as potentially advantageous in competition golf, but their use may also be restricted or banned. The complexity of banned substance lists and the potential for inadvertent ingestion has caused some golfers to express concern about the implementation of drug testing in golf.

One of the most high-profile cases of a golfer violating the PGA Tour's drug policy involved Matt Every, who received a three-month suspension in 2019. Following this incident, fellow golfer Rory McIlroy admitted to being 'paranoid' about the possibility of failing a drug test, stating that he was 'very careful' about what he put into his body. McIlroy's comments highlight the awareness and concern that some golfers have regarding the issue of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport.

While there are differing opinions on the extent and impact of performance-enhancing drug use in golf, it is clear that the sport is taking steps to address the issue through drug testing and anti-doping regulations. The PGA Tour's decision to implement blood testing and publicly report suspensions indicates a commitment to ensuring fair competition and maintaining the integrity of the sport.

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Cannabis in golf

The relationship between golf and cannabis has been a hazy one. While the drug is yet to be fully accepted by the sport, it is no secret that cannabis is a player at all levels of golf. In 2019, a Canadian course, Lombard Glen Golf Course in Ontario, even marketed itself as North America's first "cannabis-themed golf course".

The PGA Tour has a history of testing only urine samples, which makes masking drug use relatively simple. However, in 2017, the PGA Tour announced that it would begin blood testing for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and publicly reporting all drug suspensions. This was in line with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list, which forms the basis of nearly every sport's list of banned drugs.

Cannabis is a controversial entry on the banned substances list. In 2020, Matt Every, who was suspended for 12 weeks for violating the PGA Tour's drug policy, expressed his frustration: "It bothers me that it's even an issue out here at all... You could fail for heroin and marijuana and the penalty is the same. If anyone wants to make the argument that that is performance-enhancing, they have never done it before. I promise it's not." An anonymous poll by Golf.com found that roughly 60% of 52 players believed weed should be legal on Tour.

Some golfers have been open about their use of cannabis, and its non-intoxicating derivative CBD, for medicinal purposes. Robert Garrigus, who was suspended in 2019, spoke out against the Tour's policies, stating, "If you have some sort of pain and CBD or THC may help that, and you feel like it can help you and be prescribed by a doctor, then what are we doing?".

There is also a belief that small amounts of cannabis can improve performance. One golfer, who admitted to regularly smoking pot, wrote: "Under the new [drug testing] policy, the amount of marijuana that can be in my system is being raised by a factor of 10... As a player, I'm not worried. The devil, you might say, is in the levels." Golf Digest conducted an experiment to test this theory, with three golfers of varying skill levels tracking their performance while consuming cannabis. The results showed that a small amount of cannabis—around 18 milligrams—can help to relax muscles and calm nerves, aiding distance and overall tee-to-green performance. However, larger amounts were found to negatively impact focus, energy, hand-eye coordination, and caused increased hunger.

While the PGA Tour has historically been reactive rather than proactive in its approach to drug testing, the recent updates to its policies signal a shift towards stricter enforcement. However, with the continued proliferation of states legalizing marijuana, it remains to be seen how this will impact the sport and the PGA Tour's stance on cannabis in the future.

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Drug testing policies in other sports

Drug testing policies vary across different sports and leagues. For example, the PGA Tour in golf has implemented a drug-testing program that includes both urine and blood testing for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and recreational drugs. The PGA Tour's banned substance list aligns with that of Olympic athletes, and any suspensions for failing tests are publicly announced.

In the United States, major professional sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB coordinate their drug testing and policies through collective bargaining agreements or consent from individual athletes. However, there is no uniform standard across these leagues, leading to variations in testing procedures and punishments.

At the collegiate level, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) established its drug testing program in 1986, comprehensively testing for both illegal street drugs and performance-enhancing drugs. Intercollegiate athletes must sign a consent form to participate in college sports under the NCAA's policies.

In high school sports, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the validity of mandatory random drug testing, as seen in the Vernonia School District v. Acton case. This decision affirmed that high school athletes have a reduced expectation of privacy and that such testing serves a compelling interest in deterring drug use.

Additionally, educational institutions like St. Mary's University have implemented drug, alcohol, and substance testing programs for their student-athletes, focusing on education and informed decision-making. These programs often include annual educational sessions for student-athletes and staff to review policies related to alcohol, tobacco, street drugs, performance-enhancing drugs, and dietary supplements.

The World Anti-Doping Agency, which sets standards for Olympic athletes, has also influenced drug testing policies in various sports. For example, its decision to drop cannabis compound CBD from its list of banned substances impacted the PGA Tour's warnings to golfers regarding CBD use.

While the specific procedures and substances tested vary, drug testing policies in sports aim to promote fairness, deter drug use, and prioritize the well-being of athletes. Each league and governing body adapts its policies to align with the specific needs and concerns of its sport.

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The impact of drug testing on golfers

Drug testing in golf has been a topic of discussion for several years, with some golfers admitting to smoking marijuana and facing suspensions for violating PGA Tour drug policies. The impact of drug testing on golfers can be seen in several ways.

Firstly, drug testing helps maintain the integrity of the sport by ensuring that golfers are not gaining a competitive advantage through the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Golfers may be tempted to use PEDs to increase clubhead speed and improve their performance. Drug testing acts as a deterrent and helps catch those who break the rules, thus preserving the fairness of the sport.

Secondly, drug testing can affect golfers' mental health and reputation. Golfers who fail a drug test may experience paranoia, as seen in the case of Rory McIlroy, who expressed fear of inadvertently failing a drug test after witnessing Matt Every's suspension. The prospect of public disclosure of their test results and subsequent suspensions can cause significant stress and negatively impact a golfer's reputation and career.

Thirdly, drug testing policies must adapt to changing social norms and perceptions of certain substances. For example, the threshold for failing a marijuana test has been raised in some sports, reflecting the increasing legalization and acceptance of cannabis. Golfers who use marijuana for medicinal purposes or to reduce anxiety may benefit from more lenient policies. However, the impact of marijuana on performance is debated, with some arguing that it could be performance-enhancing in golf by helping to numb nerves and tune out crowds.

Moreover, drug testing can influence golfers' behaviour and substance use. Golfers may become more cautious about what they consume, especially with the evolving list of banned substances. The fear of testing positive may lead golfers to avoid certain substances or seek alternative methods to manage anxiety, pain, or other health issues.

Finally, drug testing can impact golfers' relationships and support systems. Golfers who fail a drug test may be required to undergo counselling or psychological evaluations, as seen in the case of a golfer who had to visit a tour-appointed psychologist and a counsellor in their city following a positive test for a recreational drug. These interventions can impact golfers' personal lives and their relationships with support staff and peers.

In conclusion, drug testing in golf has far-reaching consequences for golfers, affecting their performance, mental health, reputation, and personal lives. It also influences the sport's integrity and fairness by deterring the use of performance-enhancing substances. As social norms and perceptions evolve, drug testing policies must adapt to balance maintaining sports integrity with the evolving legal and medicinal status of certain substances.

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