News

Millennials are Taking Over the PGA TOUR

Published

9 years ago

February 3, 2017

Typically described as an older person’s game, one of golf’s best values is that it is a game you can play regardless of age. Recently, however, a youth movement has struck the PGA TOUR and brought many new faces to the spotlight.

To begin the 2017 season, young guns have been taking the Tour by storm. 22-year-old Jon Rahm broke out to win the Farmers Insurance Open last weekend and 23-year-old Justin Thomas was the winner of the SBS Tournament of Champions as well as the Sony Open. This youth movement can be attributed to a lot of PGA initiatives.

One of the things that is attracting more younger people to the game of golf is the use of social media. The PGA just launched Twitter LIVE that will cover 70 hours of live competition in over 31 different tournaments. Since millennials are always on social media, the ability to watch live coverage on the popular app draws more of them into the game.

Meanwhile on @PGATOURLIVE … pic.twitter.com/alv7kH6oQ4

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 3, 2017

Live streaming isn’t the only technology that the PGA has used to attract the younger generation. Three years ago, the Tour launched their Snapchat account (@pgatoursnaps) and now encourage fans to snap their experience at this week’s WM Phoenix Open on the 16th hole to add to one, large story. The PGA has also jumped into the world of 3D, allowing for fans to feel like they are on the course with the players.

“As phones became more important part of what people do every day, we’ve allowed fans to take more photographs and videos from site and share it with their friends across social networks,” said Scott Gutterman, Vice President of digital PGA TOUR, “A TOUR event is a very exciting place to be – you get to be within five feet of players and it allows fans to share their experiences.”

With the increasing technology that the PGA TOUR is developing, along with their social media usage, it looks like golf should continue to attract more millennials, like Thomas and Rahm, to compete in the future.