Will Golf Scores Even Matter Anymore? The Rise of Influencer Golf and the Changing Landscape of the Game

For over a century, golf has been a game of precision, discipline, and relentless pursuit of low scores. Fans have idolized the likes of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Rory McIlroy for their ability to execute under pressure, posting jaw-dropping rounds that push the boundaries of human skill. But in 2025, an undeniable shift is happening in the sport: fans seem to be caring less about pristine scorecards and more about watching everyday hackers take wild swings at the ball for entertainment.

Yes, professional golf is still alive and well, and the battle for major championships remains as intense as ever. But in the digital age, where attention spans are short and authenticity rules, YouTube golfers and social media influencers are rewriting the script. The question is: will traditional golf fans stick around for leaderboard updates, or will they migrate to the chaotic, meme-worthy, sometimes cringe-inducing world of influencer golf?

The Entertainment Factor: Why People Love Watching “Bad” Golfers

The rise of channels like Good Good, Bob Does Sports, and other influencer-driven golf content has exploded in recent years. These creators aren’t out there grinding for a PGA Tour card—they’re drinking beers, talking smack, and celebrating even the ugliest pars like they just won The Masters. And fans can’t get enough of it.

Why? Because it’s relatable. The average golfer doesn’t care about hitting 330-yard bombs or firing 65s at Augusta—they just want to not lose a dozen balls per round and maybe, just maybe, break 90. Watching guys who play at that level—and who aren’t afraid to laugh at themselves—makes golf feel more accessible. Unlike the buttoned-up, hyper-serious world of professional golf, influencer golf is about having fun, something the sport has arguably lacked for decades.

Are Golf Scores Becoming Irrelevant?

This new wave of golf content raises a fascinating question: do fans really care about scores anymore? Sure, hardcore golf purists still obsess over stroke averages, ball-striking stats, and Strokes Gained data, but the casual fanbase is shifting.

Instead of analyzing birdie counts, they’re tuning in to see if Bob Menery can make a bogey after shanking three straight shots into the water. Instead of dissecting clubhead speed and angle of attack, they’re watching Bad Golf host Karl attempt to clear a bunker with a pitching wedge—again and again—until he finally gets it right.

This trend reflects a broader movement in sports entertainment. Just as people now follow YouTubers for their backyard football games or TikTokers for street basketball showdowns, influencer golf is proving that personality and engagement matter more than performance. And with massive sponsorship deals rolling in for these creators, brands are taking notice.

What Does This Mean for Professional Golf?

The PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and DP World Tour all have a choice to make: adapt or risk losing relevance. Some pros, like Rickie Fowler and Max Homa, have embraced social media and even engaged with influencer golfers. But others are still stuck in the old-school mindset that golf should be played with a serious demeanor and that scores are all that matter.

If pro golf wants to maintain its viewership, it may need to lean into entertainment-driven storytelling rather than relying solely on the prestige of its players. Mic’d-up rounds, alternate formats, and a stronger emphasis on personality-driven narratives could be key to keeping golf exciting for the next generation of fans.

The Future: Can Golf Have Both?

The good news? There’s room for both. Traditionalists will always appreciate the beauty of a perfectly executed tournament round, while new-age fans will continue flocking to chaotic, laugh-out-loud golf content online. The real question is whether the old guard of the sport will embrace this shift or resist it until it’s too late.

Because in 2025, one thing is becoming clear: golf is evolving, and it might not care about your scorecard anymore.

Yours truly,

Socially Out of Bounds (SOB)