Just as the season changes, so does the fans’ perspective. To keep up with the fanbase, it becomes the responsibility of the respective leagues to provide them with the thrill and entertainment they seek with any particular sport. But is it just the entertainment that fans pursue? Well, not always. Take golf, for example. Over the years, the golf community has witnessed it all, from fans bantering over golfers’ antics to harsh criticism about their performance. As time passes, the entities in golf have become integral to the sport, creating a stronger bond with the audience.

So, with such a deep connection, what’s the industry missing in maintaining that fanbase? Well, it’s the recent news of a steep decline in viewership for both major golf circuits, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, that has sparked conversations. While the PGA Tour seems to be struggling with viewership numbers, LIV Golf, however, is on a steady pace as of now. But neither league has truly hit the mark with their results. And if we look closely, it’s clear that both circuits are facing their own set of challenges.

Where is the sport lacking?

With the season winding down and the new year just around the corner, both Jay Monahan’s PGA Tour and Greg Norman’s LIV Golf are finalizing their plans for the upcoming season. The PGA Tour is focused on addressing the pace-of-play issue by reducing the field size, while LIV Golf looks to expand with its 2025 schedule. Whether it’s planning a new format or taking bold steps forward, both Norman and Monahan are working hard to make their leagues more competitive and appealing.

But despite their efforts, the entire sport of golf has faced setbacks, as viewership across the board has been on the decline, not just for one league but for golf as a whole. While analyzing the root of the issue, Martin Slumbers, the Chief Executive of the R&A, pointed out where the sport is falling short. During an appearance at the No Laying Up Podcast, Slumber addressed three key issues related to the drop in the viewership of the golf industry.

1. Divisiveness in men’s golf is turning people off from watching

Things were much simpler when golf was just about the players and the fans. But when the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League came into play in 2022, it stirred up all kinds of politics. The ongoing divide between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has created a fragmented atmosphere in the sport. As Martin Slumbers pointed out, this divide is really turning fans away. “I genuinely am concerned about the divisiveness in the men’s professional game. I think that is turning off people from watching,” he said.

Ever since the golf was divided, many players jumped ship to LIV Golf, leaving fans questioning their loyalty to the traditional circuit. Some fans have always viewed golf as a sport, while others were drawn to the individual skills of the players themselves. So when their favorite players switched leagues, a natural divide formed among fans, too. While some hailed for the PGA Tour, others backed LIV Golf. The result? A drop in viewership, which was pretty much inevitable.

2. Pro golfers no longer attract recreational golfers as they once did

According to Slumbers, the once strong connection between watching top golfers and motivating average players to hit the course has faded over time. and it is one of the reasons for the decline of viewership as well. How, you ask? Decades ago, watching great golfers would inspire people to play more. But today, that’s just not the case. Slumbers explained, “there are very few players today who drive recreational golf I think it’s a lot more about people who who like golf from other walks of life have a far greater influence on getting recreational people to play than professional golfers.”

He emphasized that instead of seeing their favorite pros as role models who inspire them to play more, today’s recreational golfers are often influenced by personalities from other walks of life who simply enjoy the sport. For instance, in the 90s and early 2000s, players like Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson got millions of people into the game. These days, people seem to be more drawn to golf for its social aspects or as a fun leisure activity, not necessarily because of what they see on TV.

3. The constant focus on money is turning fans away

It’s not hard to agree that money acts as bait in pursuing success. While the need for money is indeed understandable, things feel a bit off when it seems like money is the only thing that matters. Whether it’s prize purses or player earnings, the financial side of golf has become a huge topic of conversation And, as Slumbers put it, it’s a major turnoff for fans. “People are bored by that and they get turned off,” he explained.

What fans really want to see are great players on amazing courses—and they want to hear more about the values of the game. Instead of constantly focusing on the financial side of things, fans are looking for the soul of the sport. The rise of LIV Golf, with its massive prize money and eye-catching contracts, has only made this worse. As the prize money grows, it seems like the focus has shifted more toward the dollars than the actual game. This isn’t just turning off casual fans; even dedicated followers of the game are frustrated by the constant chatter about money rather than focusing on the players’ talents and achievements.

So, instead of pushing out new formats or focusing on short-term fixes, maybe it’s time for the leagues to take a step back and focus on fixing what’s already broken. If they can bridge the divide and stop focusing on money, maybe then fans will see golf through a more unified lens rather than a divided one.