Opinion & Analysis

Golf Gratitude: How golf serves as a unifier in divided times

Published

2 years ago

Nov 7, 2024

For this week’s Golf Gratitude, I wanted to highlight one of the most relevant aspects of our beloved game: its unmatched ability to foster friendships and unity, even in the most divided times. With nearly 30 years of experience working in the game and fifteen as a PGA Professional, I’ve seen firsthand how golf goes beyond just sport—it’s a bridge connecting people from all walks of life.

Golf is unique in that it naturally cultivates camaraderie. While other sports often focus intensely on competition, golf offers a leisurely yet engaging environment where relationships frequently blossom. Whether you’re out for a weekly round with a long-time friend or paired with strangers on the first tee, golf provides the perfect opportunity for meaningful interaction and bonding. With an average round lasting about four hours, players share not just the game itself but also stories, laughter, and support.

In today’s world, where divisions seem more pronounced than ever, golf stands out as a unifying force. The inclusivity inherent in the game means it doesn’t discriminate by age, background, or experience—all are welcome. On the golf course, vastly different people almost always seem to find common ground, united by a shared passion for chasing a little white ball. I’ve often ended up paired with strangers, only to leave the 18th hole with newfound friends and a renewed sense of connection.

Think about the last time you played in a local charity event. Almost always you’ll find participants of varied backgrounds coming together for a cause greater than themselves. Before I started coaching full-time, I was a general manager and head golf professional at a busy municipal course in the Orlando area. During those years, I would repeatably see this coming together of people for charity events play out. Witnessing people unite over their shared love for golf and community was heartwarming. Many times, these events not only broke down social barriers but also reminded us that, despite our differences, we are part of a larger, connected world.

The tranquil pace and extended walks between shots also lend themselves to conversations that may not otherwise happen in other settings. Golf encourages openness, inviting players to engage in deeper discussions that can help bridge divides. Over time, as these playing partnerships grow, the connections formed on the course have the power to extend into genuine friendships, contributing to understanding and unity off the course as well.

Thanks for the round. Golf often brings strangers together.

Beyond the course, golf further strengthens these ties, fostering communities that transcend societal divides. Because of the game, even non-golf club events forge lasting relationships, creating a supportive network that uplifts all its members.

So, next time you find yourself on the course, recognize the competition but embrace the unity it frequently fosters. Each round is an opportunity to build relationships and strengthen community bonds, proving that golf is indeed one of the best vehicles for bringing us together in challenging times.

Until we tee it up again…

Golf Gratitude: Your weekly dose of good vibes from the golf world is my new weekly look at the feel-good stories happening in golf. Why? Because we all need a little dose of good vibes occasionally.

To learn more about my thoughts on the upcoming week in golf to come, go to my new weekly column, “Fairway Focus,” on RG.org.

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Brendon Elliott

As a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, Brendon Elliott covers premier tournaments including the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, the Masters Tournament, and the PGA Championship. He has conducted notable interviews with golf legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Annika Sorenstam, and modern greats like Keegan Bradley. Elliott's media career spans multiple prestigious platforms, with current affiliations including PGA.com and PGA Magazine (since 2018), GolfWRX (since 2018), MyGolfSpy (beginning in 2025), and RG.org (since 2024). Through his One More Roll Golf Media company, he works as a premier freelance golf writer while consulting with golf start-up companies. Elliott's distinguished career as a PGA Professional has focused on developing junior golfers. In 2017, he was named the PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner and has been recognized multiple times as one of the best golf instructors regionally and nationally. In 2008, Elliott founded Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy, and in 2010 expanded with a sister nonprofit organization for children of all abilities. While he sold Little Linksters Academy in December 2024, he continues as Executive Director of the nonprofit and launched the BE A GOLFER Academy for competitive teen golfers in January 2025. Elliott's combination of teaching experience, business acumen, and journalistic expertise positions him as a comprehensive authority in the golf industry, bridging instruction and media for golf enthusiasts, industry professionals, and aspiring players.

9 Comments

G

Nov 8, 2024 at 12:37 pm

Enjoy the Red Wave. May be the country and the game of golf will finally calm down and settle their gripes LOL

Reply Report comment
Jackson

Nov 8, 2024 at 9:12 am

David, you need to get yourself to the nearest Low-T Center, stat!

Reply Report comment
- Bob
  
  Nov 8, 2024 at 9:12 am
  
  No doubt.
  
  Reply Report comment
R

Nov 7, 2024 at 10:03 pm

What the feck you on about? Are you completely ignorant and dumb?
What part of the PGA Tour versus the LIV and the rest of the World part did you purposefully ignore?
And I see fights on the local courses all the time, whether public or private! People are crazy. They are absolutely nuts out there. People are not getting together. They are more divided and narcissistic than ever before.
And it’s ignorant articles like this that make the game even more ridiculed every day

Reply Report comment
WSinTX

Nov 7, 2024 at 6:29 pm

I would have asked David’s playing partner what he was doing same time next week. So would the majority of the American voters! Cry harder David.

Reply Report comment
David

Nov 7, 2024 at 10:48 am

Yeah, this ain’t it. If I play with a guy that voted for racism, legal deportation, stripping women’s rights, I’m telling him to go to hell. Full stop.

Reply Report comment
- James J.
  
  Nov 7, 2024 at 4:15 pm
  
  Are you assuming the gender???…. odd.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Steve
  
  Nov 7, 2024 at 5:59 pm
  
  Somehow I really doubt that you would do this, David.
  
  Reply Report comment
- WSinTX
  
  Nov 7, 2024 at 6:24 pm
  
  If I played with that guy (or the majority of the voters I’d reckon), I’d ask what he was doing same time next week!
  
  Reply Report comment

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Opinion & Analysis

5 Things We Learned: Thursday at the PGA Championship

Published

2 weeks ago

May 15, 2026

Ronald Montesano

Aronimink is not a storied club, but when Donald Ross himself proclaimed it to be as good as he can design and build, one had to take notice. Jay Sigel was the pre-eminent male amateur golfer from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He might have called any number of Philadelphia clubs home, but he chose Aronimink. It served him well. Gary Player won a PGA Championship here in 1962, and was followed by the 1993 winner … nobody. Aronimink gave that event away to Inverness, for reasons of which it is certainly not proud. So be it. We had to wait sixty-four years for the PGA to return to Newtown Square, but here we are. Aronimink has been neo-restored by Gil Hanse and team, to return Ross features with an eye toward defense against the dark arts, errrr, high-tech equipment.

Day one saw Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau dig big holes, to the tune of plus-four and plus-six, respectively. Since the first-round lead will be minus-three at worst, many shots will need to be made up for the power couple to reach contention. By nightfall, seven golfers held the day-one lead at three-under par 67. Shots and sticks caught our attention, and we are proud to present Five Things We Learned on Tech Thursday at the 2026 PGA Championship. Thanks to InsideTourGolfer, Today’s Golfer, and GolfWRX for initial equipment research.

First, meet Min Woo Lee

Min Woo Lee, aka Dr. Chipinski, has once again thrust himself into the conversation of Can he, will he, when will he? Lee has so much talent, wins not nearly as often as we believe that he should, and has no major near-misses (much less titles) on his wiki. The young Aussie is getting older and wiser, but is he able to avoid the scarring that holds the older and wiser back from breaking through? Philadelphia offers another opportunity. Min Woo signed for five birdies and two bogeys on day one, and grabbed a share of the opening-day lead at Aronimink. Winners transcend history and the moment, and Lee will need that sort of ascent to lift the Wannamaker on Sunday.

Second, meet Aldrich Potgeiter

The young South African golfer can rip driver with the best of them. Aronimink tips out at nearly 7400 yards, but beyond the fairway bunkers that ensnare only the mortals, Potgeiter can take his chances with wedge from the rough. On Thursday, he spent plenty of time in the spinach. Like Popeye, he used his muscles to gouge and thrash and dig his way out. Six birdies against three bogeys on the card brought AP in a three deep.

Third, meet Martin Kaymer

Not a major event takes place without a where’s he been throwback moment. We know that Martin Kaymer left the PGA and DP World tours for LIV golf, but the two-time (US Open and PGA) major winner has a lifetime exemption into at least one major event, and he seizes the opportunity each May. Kaymer joined the six-seven brigade with four birdies and a solitary bogey on day one. Kaymer was never a long hitter, and the years are kind to no golfer. The German champion will need to uncork every bottle of guile and strategy in his cabinet to remain in contention. For today, though, he occupies a rung on the ladder of Tour Tech.

Fourth, meet Scottie Scheffler

Let’s see, he’s the defending champion at the PGA, and he found his way back to the top tier with five birdies against two bogeys. To be a favorite and then play up to that stature and expectation is quite difficult. Just ask Rory, Bryson, and some of the other pre-tournament heartthrobs. Scheffler’s game is complete, and to knock him off the OWGR #1 pedestal, one needs to defeat him at the majors. Aronimink is the sort of course that fits Scheffler’s game. Better yet, it unfits the game of many of his challengers. Don’t expect Scheffler to go away anytime soon. Come Sunday, he’ll be around.

Fifth, meet Stephan Jaeger

Clocking in for the unheralded players shift are Ryo Hisatsune and Stephan Jaeger. Hisatsune logged seven birdies on day one, but gave most of them back with four bogeys. Still, he’s tied at the top for a time. Jaeger pitched five birdies against two bogeys, including a run of three consecutive, from holes four through six. Odds are that one of the two will hang around through 36 holes. Odds also suggest that both will be gone by Saturday evening. Still, the PGA Championship has historically been the major most likely to be won by an under-known. Both Hisatsune and Jaeger feature on that list, so good luck, lads!

Club Junkie

Club Junkie’s Titleist GTS driver fitting results!

Published

2 weeks ago

May 14, 2026

Brian Knudson

On this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, I head to the Titleist Performance Institute for a full driver fitting with the new Titleist GTS lineup. We dive into the fitting process, talk about what made the biggest difference in performance, and break down how the different GTS heads and shaft combinations compare on the launch monitor. If you are thinking about a new driver setup for this season, there is a lot to take away from this one.

I also get into Brooks Koepka and the gear setup he brought to the PGA Championship, including the putters that caught my eye during the week. There are some interesting equipment trends showing up at the highest level right now and we break down what stands out.

To wrap things up, I talk about reshafting a few wedges, what I learned during the process, and swapping an adaptor onto a new shaft for another build project in the shop. A gear packed episode from start to finish for anyone who loves golf equipment and club building.

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Club Junkie

Club Junkie WITB, week 16: New Titleist GTS woods!

Published

2 weeks ago

May 14, 2026

Brian Knudson

Excited for this week’s WITB as we get to add the new Titleist GTS woods to the bag! I was fit at Titleist’s TPI facility in Oceanside California a few weeks ago and my new clubs just showed up. I am also adding a cool set of irons that I built last year some wild custom wedges into a new golf bag. Speaking of the bag I have a new Ghost Anyday Black Ops stand bag that I will be using on my Motocaddy Remote M7 electric cart.

Driver: Titleist GTS3 (11 degrees @ 10.25)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 6s

3-wood: Titleist GT1 3Tour (14.5 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD CQ-7s

5-wood: Titleist GTS (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7s

9-wood: Titleist GT1 (24 degress)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7s

Irons: Bettinardi CB24 (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper Lite 110 stiff

Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (50-09 SB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff

Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (56-12 SB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff

Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (60-08 LB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff

Putter: Dan Carraher ZT Proto

Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour

Bag: Ghost Anyday Black Ops Stand Bag