Perhaps it’s true that golf has always had an image problem, as a sport long viewed as the preserve of stuffy and wealthy white men. Yet in 2021 it’s tempting to think the game is at a crossroads. Over the last few months we’ve heard animated debates about a range of topics, all of which seem to relate to the very spirit of the game: the distance the ball is travelling, classic courses becoming obsolete, prize funds, choices of sponsor, pace of play, flexible memberships, hoodies and dress codes…
It’s well-known that the covid-19 pandemic resulted in a golfing boom: more rounds being played, more people taking up the game or returning to it, and record equipment sales enjoyed by retailers. Such positive developments have unsurprisingly prompted an outpouring of commentary, with many asking how we can hope to maintain such broad interest beyond the expediency of golf as the ‘Sport of Social Distance’. And while much of this commentary seems to have noble intentions, many are anxious that there is a danger of losing some of the principles and traditions that have made it such a great sport, and, indeed, a microcosm of life.
Concerns about driving distance have been written off by some of the world’s best as “a huge waste of time” and “reeking of self-importance.” Professionals donning hoodies and collarless shirts have been lauded for modernising a pompous game. And pay-and-play courses have been heralded as a lifeline for the sport, by offering a high-value alternative to overpriced memberships at private clubs.
Navigating these controversial issues is tricky, especially in an age of ‘clickbait’ headlines and 280-character tweets. Naturally, our own personalities lean more towards embracing tradition, rather than questioning it. However, since we started Cookie Jar Golf just over a year ago, we’ve been lucky to chat to people with a variety of perspectives, all bound by a common love for the game. Mark McDonnell and Daryl Evans have given us an insight into the world of sports marketing and the professional tours. Iona Stephen spoke to us about her journey towards becoming a broadcaster and TV presenter. Mike Clayton, Gil Hanse and Angela Moser have all helped us better understand the principles of course architecture and the process of designing and building great courses. David Davis regaled us with stories of playing the Top 100 Courses in the World and Zane Scotland gave us his thoughts on making golf more accessible and diverse.
We’re firm believers that one of golf’s great strengths is that there is space for different approaches. There’s no reason why pay-and-play courses with relaxed dress codes can’t coexist with more traditional clubs where the staple diet is foursomes matchplay under two hours. The growing number of indoor simulators and TopGolf venues in bustling cities also have much to offer, both for the time-strapped young professionals who want to hone their game before the Saturday medal, and for those who are new to the sport and want to learn in a relaxed, sociable environment.
We’ve also been fortunate to spend some time at a range of clubs in the UK whilst filming our Story of a Golf Club series – from the publicly-owned Cleeve Hill, to Open Championship courses such as Royal Liverpool, to the very-exclusive clubs such as Renaissance. Sunrise drone footage aside, the most enjoyable part of producing these films has been spending time with the members of these clubs and learning about the history and quirks which make each one unique.
And ultimately, that’s our goal with Cookie Jar Golf – sharing what we believe to be the most important and interesting stories in the sport, in a way that is exciting and engaging for our followers. Our most recent podcast with world-renowned historian David Normoyle brought this abmition into sharp focus. David made the point that the legacy of certain figures and moments in the game are never assured – they must be continuously shared and reimagined, particularly for younger generations.