Editorial – Future Of Golf And Its Agenda
By: Mark Harman, Director of Education
Would Harry Vardon recognize today’s game if he could be magically transported to 2022? While some things would be the same, others would be so vastly different that Vardon might well wonder if it’s even the same game.
Things used to change slowly in golf, but with the dawn of the 21st century, things are picking up at a rapid pace. Where once new technology took years to embrace, today’s players and coaches are quick to adopt a change if it is demonstrated to be beneficial. You would be hard-pressed to find a modern tour player who does not have a TrackMan or GC Quad – or in many cases both – to analyze their ball flight and club data to the nth degree. Experts in analytics crunch the data and lay out very specifically where players need to improve. Training regimens continue to evolve as the latest research comes in.
The game of professional golf was shaken up in 2022 by the advent of the LIV Tour. Whether this tour can survive without a visible means of revenue remains to be seen. In response, the PGA Tour upped the purses dramatically for its marquee events and obtained pledges from its top players to play more golf. A tournament purse of $25 million would have been unthinkable just a few short years ago…and imagine what Vardon would think! But do not be surprised if, within the next decade, a tournament purse of $100 million is offered. So, it seems the game of professional golf, at least on the men’s side, will continue to see escalating purses.
When it comes to teaching, almost certainly within the next decade every full-time teacher will have much of the latest technology available. There will still be teachers who go to the lesson tee with nothing more than their smartphone to take video, but they will usually be the club pro or someone who gives lessons only occasionally.
Finally, the USGA and R&A have made a big deal about reigning in distance, or at least preventing future increases. Their problem is that today’s professional golfer is a true athlete who trains and is larger and much stronger than their counterparts of yesteryear. Whereas Dan Pohl led the PGA Tour in driving distance in 1980 with an average of 274.3 yards using a persimmon driver and balata balls, today’s longest players would probably still approach a 300-yard average with such implements. All indications are that the USGA and R&A will finally adopt one set of equipment rules for the pro game and elite amateur competitions and one for play at the club level.
USGTF members who have students notable for their achievements, accomplishments, or even notable progress, are invited to submit their stories for consideration in the monthly e-newsletter. A picture of the USGTF member along with their student will also be featured in the item. Submissions may be made at 
Mike Stevens has been a USGTF member since 1995 and was formerly the Southeast Region director. He resides in Tampa, Florida, where he operated On Target Golf Schools at MacDill Air Force Base Golf Course for many years. The schools were a unique model in that they involve 6-week sessions of one hour per week, and the concept was very successful, as several other USGTF members also adopted that model.
Stevens has always been devoted to the history of the game, and almost two decades ago he made the move to play exclusively with hickory-shafted clubs. He has won several tournaments, notably the Southern Hickory Four-Ball, and also the prestigious National Hickory Championship three times. When competing among his titanium-wielding peers, he more than holds his own. He was recognized as one of Florida’s top ten instructors by Florida Golf News and also as a top WGTF Teacher. In 2011 he was inducted into the USGTF Hall of Fame at Orange County National in Orlando, Florida, during the World Golf Teachers Cup. A native of Ohio, Stevens hold a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management.
Stevens recently retired from teaching and as the USGTF Southeast Region director to spend more time with his family and grandkids, and to hone his game. He is still active in the hickory golf scene and will once again run the U.S. Professional & Amateur Hickory Golf Championship this coming February at Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club in Tampa. He also runs the Florida Hickory Golfers group that holds events monthly. Stevens also competes annually in the World Hickory Open in Scotland.
Team USA once again captured the Presidents Cup competition held this past September, this time defeating the International team by a match score of 17.5-12.5. The USA got off to a fast start, leading 8-2 after two days, but the International squad fought back valiantly the final two days, outscoring Team USA 10.5-9.5.
World #1 Scottie Scheffler of the USA actually failed to win a match in four tries, winning only half a point with a tie, showing that at the top levels of golf, anyone ranked in the top 100 in the world can defeat any other player on a given day. Tom Kim from the International squad was the sensation of the match with his showmanship and strong play. The PGA Tour rookie, by all accounts, is a superstar in the making.
Since the USA won for the 12th time in 14 attempts, there have been calls for changing the format. However, when you examine each match, the competition this year was actually closer than the score would indicate, especially with the Internationals’ strong play the final two days. Undoubtedly, their drought will end, perhaps with the next playing of the Presidents Cup.
By Grant Garrison, Queensland, Australia
Golf is booming down under. While many courses were closed during Covid restrictions, it quickly became the activity of choice once courses opened. Our amateur body recently announced record growth in club participation, the largest increase since 1970. As golf instructors, the challenge now is to find new, innovative ways to engage those who are interested and get them playing. I personally teach beginners at a course that doesn’t have a driving range. With this mind, I created a program I call Fairways First. The goal is to get new golfers on the course right away. There are seven levels, which represents different distances from the hole. Once they pass Level 7, they have the skill and knowledge to get a golf handicap.
The owner of the golf course is loving this program, as it’s creating new members and selling equipment in the golf shop. The staff has gotten behind it, too, because they have a program to sell which they know works well.
If anyone would like to have a look, (the online program is free), go to 
It’s been 10 years since Swing Profile received “Best Overall Product” at PGA Merchandise Show and began creating golf apps embedded with our patented swing analysis technology! To celebrate this significant milestone, Swing Profile golf app has released version 10 with many features custom-made for busy golf coaches!