The 7 Most Annoying Trends In Golf

There are many amazing aspects of our game.

Golf is exercise, connection to family and friends, an escape from reality and much more. Here at MGS, we’re obsessed with it. For the most part, we love how the game has evolved over time from the technological advances to the relaxed dress codes to the inclusivity.

But there is no doubt that not every trend in golf is favorable. Some of them are downright frustrating.

As the official staff curmudgeon/traditionalist, I have plenty of opinions about trends that I think are annoying.

These are the seven that tick me off the most.

7. Tee times too close together

While you could argue this problem has always existed on some level, the pandemic boom has emboldened more courses to jam tee times into a tighter time frame.

We’re talking about tee times every seven to nine minutes rather than every 10-12 minutes (and, yes, it does make a difference).

When you start shrinking the gap in tee times, you are creating a logjam that lasts the entire day. It makes the round longer and the experience is considerably worse.

This is just greedy. Courses could spread out the tee times appropriately rather than sacrificing the golfer experience just to stretch their profit margins.

Unfortunately, many courses don’t see it that way.

6. Ball marks not fixed

I wrote about this last year if you want a deeper dive on my rant.

The short summary is that ball marks are not being fixed at a much higher rate than we’ve seen in previous generations. There has been a general decline in etiquette (a theme on this list) and many new golfers aren’t even aware that you are supposed to fix ball marks (or how to do it properly).

This issue is tough because it affects everyone. When less golfers fix their ball marks, course health declines. Balls don’t roll as smoothly and more putts are missed.

My general rule is that I always try to fix one more ball mark than I left. Miss the green, fix one ball mark. Hit the green, fix two ball marks. Leave the course better than you found it.

5. Obnoxious hats with big-letter acronyms

To be clear, I don’t really care what you wear. Do whatever you want.

However, that doesn’t mean I can’t make fun of apparel trends. These big-letter acronym hats—and their cousins, the upside-down lettering hats—have reached a boiling point for me.

Look, apparel trends change. I understand. I like a lot of modern golf apparel trends.

The hats are not one of them. They just don’t look good. Everyone and their mom is trying to copy the same version. Maybe clubs should be working on something original instead of copying a trend.

You know it’s bad when the Masters is coming out with “EGG SALAD” hats (thankfully they didn’t shorten it to “EGGSLD”).

On the flip side, I do love how the 90s’-style hats are coming back into fashion. Let’s get that trend cooking even more.

4. Blasting music too loud on the course

Let me preface this by saying that I don’t mind music on the course.

It’s not my personal preference—I golf for some peace and quiet—but people wanting to play golf with some music isn’t a trend that bothers me.

What does bother me is when the music volume reaches asinine levels.

If you can hear the music from two fairways over, it’s too loud.

Your music should be able to be heard by your group and your group only. Don’t subject everyone else on the property to your personal choice of wanting to listen to music during the round.

3. Crowds becoming more belligerent at tour events

We just saw this during the U.S. Open as the gallery was openly rooting against Wyndham Clark.

I got some pushback for the opinion that hate for him crossed the line as the crowd was shouting for his ball to get in a bunker or roll off the green. I still stand by that: golf should have decorum above other sports where that kind of behavior is tolerated.

This isn’t just about the U.S. Open. Last year’s Ryder Cup was abysmal. The crowd got personal and someone even threw a beer at Rory McIlroy’s wife.

The Players Championship and RBC Heritage crowds this year openly rooted against Matthew Fitzpatrick just because he’s not American. I don’t understand that.

I have enjoyed the Phoenix Open in past years and think that kind of environment is fun to have once per year, but even Phoenix has jumped the shark with how wild the event has become.

Pro golf is just in a weird place with its crowds. Drinking is encouraged and there are side effects from that.

2. Practice ranges raising prices for mediocre range balls

Obviously, everything is more expensive now. Green fees are up, equipment prices are up, golf resort prices are insane, etc.

So you could argue that the annoying trend is inflation or golf just becoming so ridiculously expensive. That’s fair, although the issue extends to a lot of products and services outside of golf as well.

For this one, I am going to pick on driving range prices.

My local range just raised the price of a large bucket from $15 to $20. These are mediocre range balls that haven’t been replaced in years. Half of them are scuffed. Even the best range ball in the bucket is a below-average ball. And we’re either hitting off of mats or poorly maintained grass.

There weren’t any improvements at the range. They are the same balls. But the range can change the price because demand isn’t going to fall over a few bucks.

With other parts of golf, you can kind of justify the purchase. A driver costs $600 but you are getting a great driver. A round of golf costs $140 but you are getting a nice round of golf. Maybe you are overpaying but you are receiving something worthy.

It’s just insulting to be paying 20 percent more for a product that has only deteriorated.

1. Everyone trying to become a YouTube golf influencer

I want to clarify this one because I don’t want this to be misconstrued.

I really enjoy YouTube golf. It’s beneficial for the game. The top channels are highly entertaining. At this point, there is something for everyone. If you prefer comedy, it’s there. If you want to watch outstanding golf, it’s there. If you like a niche such as architecture or travel, it’s there.

The trend I find annoying is the depth of content creators, the influencer culture and the idea that anyone who can break 100 should get out their camera to try to make their own YouTube channel.

There are just so many channels at this point. If you don’t stand out in a meaningful way, it’s a lot of shouting into the void.

I get that some people genuinely enjoy recording themselves and like the process of editing a video together. It’s more of a side hobby to keep busy. Views aren’t that important. It’s like a digital journal of your golf journey. That makes sense.

But there are a lot of people out there who are just doing it to make money. They will bend over backwards to try to make viral clips. They will collaborate with anyone to gain exposure. It becomes more and more artificial.

There is a fine line to straddle with all of this, but I think the influencer chase has gone off the deep end.

What do you think is the most annoying trend in golf?

Let me know below in the comments.

Top Photo Caption: Golfers wait for the green to clear before playing their shot. (GETTY IMAGES/Pete Kiehart)