Kevin Hammer: Golf’s future depends on shared stewardship of the game

This column by Kevin Hammer, president of the USGA, was first published on the association’s website.

In 2009, World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Watson, then 59, came close to becoming the oldest major champion in history. His nearly perfect iron shot into the 18th green landed firmly and rolled across the putting surface. Watson made bogey and lost in a playoff. Even so, it was an extraordinary runner-up finish.

Over the years, Tom Watson and Kevin Hammer’s father, who spent many years as the head golf professional at Delray Dunes Golf & Country Club, became close friends. Hammer’s father wanted to congratulate Watson on his inspiring performance. Knowing Watson had likely received hundreds of messages, Hammer did not expect a reply after the legendary near-miss.

To his surprise, Watson replied the next day: “Truly appreciate your kind comments. It is an amazing game we all share.”

I carry Tom Watson’s elegant sentiment with me as president of the USGA.

In today’s golf world, many aspects of the game align with other major sports, particularly at the elite level. Professional golfers are remarkably athletic. Golf has become a significant business, and leaders of major golf organizations increasingly come from other sports, bringing valuable perspectives. Many of these comparisons and changes are justified.

At the same time, golf is enjoying tremendous popularity among amateurs and recreational players. The game’s audience has expanded remarkably among women, young people and people of different races and ethnic backgrounds. A renewed desire to spend time outdoors and together, along with robust social-media outreach, has helped drive interest. Golf can get its hooks into you like few other passions.

The game is also growing through alternative formats, both on and beyond traditional courses: from driving ranges and golf entertainment complexes to indoor golf, screen golf, putting courses and more.

How wonderful that we have more golf around us in more forms. We should embrace these formats because they break down perceptions and barriers while creating pathways into traditional golf.

Alongside these new forms and the growing interest in golf, we must remember that golf remains different from other sports. It is meant to be different, and it has always been different. Much of the game’s beauty lies in its unique offerings. This is a game where three generations can share a course and teach one another its values. People from every background, at every ability level and from every part of the world can enjoy playing together.

Golf is an antidote to isolation, promoting communication and connection among its participants. It takes place amid varied landscapes, fresh air and sunlight. It teaches us to look one another in the eye, take turns, offer encouragement, shake hands and challenge ourselves.

At the USGA, we believe these qualities are worth defending.

The USGA works diligently to steward the game in a healthy direction. We also recognize that golf’s ecosystem is unique and wonderfully diverse. Its ongoing collaboration and partnership have evolved over hundreds of years, with the engagement of millions of people who care about golf—including players, volunteers, coaches, USGA members and countless others who give back to the game.

As a governing body, the USGA must work across the golf community to address and resolve differences. We take our engagement with fellow stewards of the game, and the insights we receive from them, very seriously. We are fortunate to share a common appreciation and love for golf.

What makes golf different is worth protecting. Let us remember that it takes all of us to unify, showcase, govern and advance the qualities that make this game so special.

We will do our part, and we thank you for doing yours.