Favorite Golf Memories of 2025

Did you enjoy watching and playing golf in 2025? I hope so, because we certainly were. Sure, it’s our “job” to cover all things golf: professional events, personalities, instruction, equipment, recreational games, and more, but it’s also something we all enjoy doing. Like most of you, gaming is more than just a sport to us, it’s a passion that drives us crazy. This past year, we’ve all tapped into that passion in different ways. So once again, let me share some of my favorite memories from 2025. This is meant to focus on our own connection to the game.

I enjoyed a nice walk

The analogies that come to mind most often are standing alone in the Louvé Museum admiring the Mona Lisa in complete silence without a million cell phones, or hiking in Yosemite with no one in sight. Both are unlikely, but it feels like an apt comparison to my experience at Pebble Beach’s Cypress Point Club on a Thursday afternoon in early September. I was there to cover the 50th Walker Cup match between the United States and Great Britain and Ireland, and both teams had finished their practice rounds, leaving the course wide enough for walking. The weather was perfect, so I decided to take the plunge and try the reverse loop from holes 18 to 15. It is an amazing distance, comparable to any other land in the world.

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What I didn’t know was that I would be the only person making that trip for the next hour. Other than a few stragglers in golf carts and a large deer grazing near the 18th fairway, I was the only one in the serenity and exquisite beauty of Cypress Point, and I can’t adequately describe the emotions I was feeling except to say it was a mixture of joy, gratitude, and humility.

Among the highlights is walking along the cliff edge of the 17th fairway, where there is a beautiful little cove on the left towards the 16th green. Standing on the fringe at the 16th spot, looking back across the water valley to the teeing ground. Of course, you can also stand on the tee at 4pm and look in the mirror at one of the world’s most iconic holes. And finally, a stroll along the par-3 15th, my favorite hole at Cypress. I smiled at the special treat on the green. There was a forlorn-looking Walker Cup trophy sitting in the corner, which I would later visit to photograph with my drone.

The 15th green at Cypress Point.

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Would it have been nice to have a golf club in hand for this little trip? You’ll probably be surprised that my answer is no. Even on the most special courses, we can become myopic and feel like our swings and scores overshadow what should be valued. I know that happened to me many years ago during the only time I was lucky enough to play at Cypress Point. I certainly cherished the opportunity, but later regretted not absorbing more of the experience.

I ventured into the Walker Cup telling myself I wanted to cherish every craggy tree, rugged dune and every nuance of Alistair Mackenzie’s masterpiece. I think we had a brilliant four days in a tournament unlike any other in the game. Cypress Point and the Walker Cup mean more to me than ever.

Still, I know that the colors and details of watching golf blend and fade over time. Sadly, they always are. But the memories of when I took a chance and walked away will never fade. —Todd Leonard

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“We want you to outdo us.”

Almost without exception, my favorite golf memories are made at my home club, Rockridge CC in Newtown, CT. This year was no exception. However, in honor of web editor Sam Weinman’s book Win even if you losemy favorite memory was defeat.

It’s our annual member and guest favorite week on the golf calendar, but two things have happened in the past five years. Due to COVID-19, a wedding, work commitments, and eye surgery, me and my partner, colleague Mike Stachula, were only able to pair up once. We also held a dry run for a horse race with the overall victory at stake. It appeared that both players would continue playing, as Stutch underwent shoulder surgery in January and was said to be unlikely to play by July.

Incredibly, he returned safely. However, he had never hit a ball at a golf course until the day before the member/guest match began. I’ll forgive you every blow. He played well, I played well enough, and we won the plane.

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In a horse race where teams are eliminated after each hole, they won three consecutive chip-offs and advanced to the finals. Waiting for us was Eugene Singer and his guest, Mark Wolpert of PGA West. I was conflicted.

Eugene is a dear friend and widely loved. He is also my partner among members. As anyone who belongs to a club knows, having your name on the board of directors is a big deal. Yuji achieved a shutout victory. To make matters worse, he wasn’t able to make the squad this year and I used a stand-in partner to win. ah!

I found myself standing next to Marc on the green and said something like, “I want you guys to win more than us.” I wasn’t joking, but I meant it. And in fact, they won.

Eugene (right) was a very happy winner.

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I was mostly disappointed. I was able to play with Stach and we exceeded expectations and Yuji will finally leave his name on the board. Now, 5 months later, I feel even better. Exactly, lose and win. ―E. Michael Johnson

look who’s watching

I missed being able to witness golf history firsthand, but that’s totally fine. After being at Augusta National from Monday to Sunday, Rory McIlroy finally won the elusive green jacket and returned home ahead of the final round on his way to completing a career Grand Slam. As I always do when I’m home for a big event, I set up shop in the basement. This time, something just interesting happened because I had an unexpected companion.

My 7 year old daughter wandered downstairs to watch it and immediately chimed in with my interest in rooting for Rory. (Sorry, Justin Rose, you’re that one, but McIlroy was the better talker.) At first, I thought she was just trying to push back her bedtime, but she seemed genuinely and surprisingly into it. And when the final putt went in, she cheered just like I did, and when she saw Rory pounding the ground and his father crying, she had no doubts. A great moment for McIlroy and all golf fans. Even if you are new to the sport. Oh, and I happened to be in Augusta for the last playoff game involving Rose (sorry again, Justin) and I didn’t see anything. So it was actually better for me to stay in the basement.

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Anyway, for the second year in a row, Julia tried a few golf lessons before losing interest. So McIlroy’s moment didn’t fully translate into love for being on the course. But a few months later, she was back in the basement with me watching the end of the U.S. Open. Somehow, she gravitated towards JJ Spahn and celebrated when the final bomb, the putt, fell, like when McIlroy won the Masters. I may not have found another golf partner yet, but at least I hope to have new golf watching friends for years to come. —Alex Meyers

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once in a lifetime trip

I It was Watch Rory McIlroy win a career Grand Slam on Sunday at Augusta National during the final round of the Masters. It was great, but it didn’t make it to the top of my list of best memories of the year. I never take for granted the ability to cover historical events like this, but when you’re my age, your memories are of the places you played with the people you love most.

Back in February, my son and I were watching the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and while McIlroy was putting the finishing touches on winning the championship, my son talked about how much he loved Pebble Beach. The next day I made some phone calls and came up with an epic trip to Pebble in April as his high school graduation gift. We played Pasatiempo, Pacific Grove, Spyglass Hill and ended at Pebble Beach. We stayed at a lodge. The weather was great and the trip was perfect. When he birdied the 18th hole at Pebble, I almost cried. I told him that for the rest of my life, whenever I see Pebble on TV or tell anyone about this amazing place, I will be able to say I made a birdie on this famous hole.

But that might not be my favorite moment. In early June, over dinner with my friend Tim, I told him that I had tickets to the British Open but didn’t know what to do with them. After drinking too much, we vowed to talk more about our last minute trip with our sons. I called my friends at Irish Lynx and within 48 hours they put together an epic trip to play 6 rounds in 5 days. We flew into Dublin and drove north to attend the third round of the British Open at Royal Portrush, then headed to all three courses: Port Salon, Rosapenna, Naryn & Portnoux and Donegal. Final totals: 108 holes played, 37.9 miles walked, 70,961 total steps, 91 floors climbed, 0 holes played in the rain.

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Dinners, car rides, stories, laughter, golf… Being able to do something like that with my son, my friend, and his son… is priceless. I’m lucky. May this wonderful game and the places it takes you last forever. —Jay Coffin

lory’s story

There was no cheering in the press box. At least, that’s what they’ve been teaching in journalism classes for a long time. Before you flag me for breaking the old golden rule, I insist that I wasn’t rooting for Rory McIlroy to win the Masters when the drama unfolded that Sunday afternoon while I was working in the press box at Augusta National. I was rooting for McIlroy not to lose (again).

I was lucky enough to cover McIlroy from his big hair days as an amateur at the 2007 British Open Championship and Walker Cup. I was at the 2011 Masters when the young pro seemed to be on his way to his first major title, only to lose on the back nine. Then I watched him bounce back and win four majors over the next three years…but struggled to win one more over the past decade. What’s more, I listened to him speak poignantly about standing in the arena with the goal of achieving his dreams one day, and I empathized with him for not being able to achieve his goals.

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All of this explains why the roller coaster of the final round last April produced feelings in me that I don’t quite remember feeling while covering a golf tournament. The 2001 Tiger Slam was an incredible piece of history. And Tiger’s 2019 Masters win left me with even more of a feeling of, “Can you believe this just happened?!” reaction. However, Rory finally escapes Augusta’s heartbreak. Well, it just brought a different feeling because it looked like we were in control on the front nine. That’s why when he hit his shot into the water on number 13, it felt so miserable and we all felt lost all over again. It wasn’t until the shot on the 15th that it looked like we might win again. I just watched him miss the putt on the 18th.

mercy.

The end was finally in sight when Lowry made birdie in the playoff. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to write about another loss that night, or what McIlroy had to do to recover from this loss. How will we all recover from this situation?

The video of McIlroy’s moment of glory is mesmerizing. There are no words (literally)…just the raw emotion that encapsulates not only the relief and joy Rory was feeling, but what the entire golf world was feeling.

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“What are we all going to talk about next year?” Rory joked as he began his press conference after his win. Fortunately, nothing else escaped. —Ryan Herrington

good deeds are rewarded

My favorite golf memories this year are all the joy I was able to share with the new people I met. The best part of sports is always the people.

But of all the golfers I met, the one that stood out the most was Mo Martin. I had never met a former LPGA golfer before this year, but this situation was born out of tragedy. Martin’s longtime family home in Altadena was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, which also destroyed countless other homes in the area. Thankfully her family was safe. All of her golf memorabilia, including the AIG Women’s Open trophy she won in 2014, was destroyed in the fire. Martin won in dramatic fashion with an eagle on the 18th hole at Royal Birkdale in England, but shockingly, the original trophy was found among the rubble as a burnt souvenir. It’s special after all.

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Martin has opened up his home in the South Bay to his mother and brother, and has four dogs that are the family’s lifeline. There was a lot of love in the family. I talked to her several times throughout the year and helped share her story, and it continued throughout the year.

Jill poses with Mo Martin (right) in California earlier this year.

Many people heard about her burnt trophy and contacted The R&A, and six months later, thanks to the organization, their replica arrived. I was there to watch her open the box with her family, and it was a very meaningful gesture during a difficult time. Her family was a huge support during her golf career, so she didn’t display any trophies at home. That’s why it was in the living room of the family’s 1,000-square-foot home in Altadena.

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Former golf teammates, friends and neighbors reached out to Martin and quickly delivered clothes for the family, food for the dog and gift cards for any needed items. This was a lesson that the golf community is loyal, strong and loving.

Martin helped her family and the golf community helped her too. It was a very heartwarming story. —Jill Painter Lopez

When my child uses a walker

“Comfortable” is the perfect word to describe my son’s introduction to golf. Goldfish, candy, high fives, endless mulligans, and untucked shirts. We have literally built castles on sand. Earl Woods I’m not. Beau turned 7 this summer, and we played golf all evening, safe from the disapproving stares of the stricter generation sitting down to early dinners.

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For the June issue of Golf Digest, I curated a package called “How Not to Become a Crazy Golf Parent.” Its central message was to keep it fun through all the challenges that come with learning this difficult game. That’s exactly right, and thanks to the excellent journalism of my colleagues, I was able to find out about the summer I spent with my child. While I was right to feel that the country club experience wasn’t all that intimidating for Bo (see what a top psychologist said!), it was the cart ride that bothered me. For a variety of reasons, including the pace of play, the cup holder for the sweet soda I bought him, and an exit strategy if his legs or attention span wore out, horseback riding seemed like the best bet. I looked around and saw other dads doing the same thing on our course.

But I’m a pedestrian. I’m not being pretentious about it. Ask people around you. But I think all golf courses are meant for walking unless there is a medical reason. I was angry that I would be introducing the game I love most to my son in a way that I didn’t.

So one night I ripped the bandaid off. Bo’s small carry-on bag contains three clubs, and although it weighs very little, it’s psychologically like a yoke around his neck. He is also confused by the double shoulder straps. I knew it would be easiest for me to carry his bag like a briefcase and carry mine the normal way.

On the first hole I gave Bo a 22 degree driver. He can tee the ball up and usually sends it flying into the air. After doing so, I told him to go and give it another shot. He took the club and ran 50 yards down the fairway and hit it again. In this moment, I realized two things I should have known a long time ago. First, the launch, spin, roll, and equipment quirks at this low swing speed allow Beau to hit a low stinger without hitting the tee very far. It actually worked against him all summer long when I was teeing off fairways for him. Secondly, he loves running. The strategy is now clear. Let him try his best at 22 degrees and hand him a wedge or putter as he approaches the green.

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I played 9 holes in 1 hour and 20 minutes. We have walked every round since then. And he forgot about soda. —Max Adler

best feeling of tension

I’ve never thrown up on the tee box, but as I stood on the first hole of the member vs. member shootout, with all the club’s carts surrounding the green, drones flying overhead, and pros calling our names over the loudspeaker, I was pretty sure I might. The first hole of the shootout was a downhill par 3. It was short, but dangerous. The tee box is located high above the green. The bunker is short and guards the left side. You can see the pond on the right. My partner and I won a flight. So we ended up playing against the other women’s flight winners and the men’s all-flight winners on an elevated tee box. The format was an alternate shot. I agreed to a first strike.

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I played DIII golf in college, but this was the first time I was so nervous holding a golf club. This is probably because I have never been so unprepared for a tournament. I didn’t swing a club for two weeks before the membership tournament because I was waiting for my tendonitis to heal. I have two young children and a job, so I sneak out of the house when I can, but do I practice? Am I really ready to hit decent shots under pressure? No.

My hands were shaking as I watched the first few players hit. How are you going to hold the club? I took a deep breath and walked to the back of the teeing ground. My logical mind tried to control the situation. This is just a pitching wedge. My body wasn’t ready to listen to reason. I felt nauseous, but it never got worse. I accepted the fact that I had to take this shot, no matter how much my body didn’t want it. I laughed to myself. This is so ridiculous. But that was also my reality. Just take the shot.

I was able to place the ball firmly on the teeing ground and felt like I got off to a good start. My legs felt weak. My hands did everything they could to stay on the club. tempo, That’s what I said to myself as I pulled the club back.

It faded a little and was a little weak, but it landed on the fringe on the right side of the green and into the rough. safety. Not a terrible place for my partner Lisa either. I was surviving.

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“Nice swing, Keeley,” one of the players said as I walked back to the edge of the tee box, so let the next poor soul hit in this most unlikely of circumstances. Did I really make a good swing when I felt like I was sinking into the ground? I decided to believe him. And the nerves began to evaporate. My partner and I kept hitting good shots and when it was over, we put on the green jackets for the win. Every time you wear this to a club, you get a free drink. 1 year. It’s certainly an award worth worrying about.

Keeley (left) and his winning partner.

Since that day, not only have I enjoyed the free beer and Arnold Palmers, but I have also felt privileged to be able to care so much about something that doesn’t really matter. And I appreciated how the game relentlessly asks how you cope when things get tough. How lucky we are to know that even when we feel like we’re going to fail, there’s always a chance of a good swing. —Kiely Levin

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Hit more balls after hitting the ball all day

I believe most of the golf highlights in 2025 will center around career rounds, holes-in-ones, or treks to historic courses. This is definitely not the case. Instead, it’s 6.25 holes on the Arnold Palmer Course at Reunion Resort.

I was lucky enough to be a regular member of the Gol Digest Hot List Summit in Florida. The summit features an annual trip to Kissimmee, the happiest place on Earth, where you can try out and take notes on all the new golf equipment being released in the coming year. The annual pilgrimage attracts a crowd of golf-sick and golf-addicted golfers who, after a long tryout with new clubs, are all rushing to hit the course for a few holes. Our testers spend all day swinging, needing massages and more blister tape than they should, and yet, once they feel confident in themselves for a second, they’re back on the course. Frankly, it’s moving (and a little nauseating).

One afternoon, after the tent, launch monitor, and golf balls were all packed up, I found myself out on the course with fellow Golf Digesters Carla Gonzalez, Karlie Strauss, and J.D. Cuban. I can’t say the golf itself was memorable. Some good shots here, and again some shots no one saw there, but it was a good chance to relax as the sun set on another day on the hot list.

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We quickly became friends with the girl in the cart. Why would he lie if he had also had a drink? When I got to the 7th hole, I realized that I didn’t have enough time, and as night was approaching I wanted to take another long drive, so I bypassed the 7th hole and went straight to the 8th hole.

We practiced each shot and tried to find the golf ball, but to no avail. They may still be sitting there. It’s proof that everyone had a great time. —Greg Gottfried

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A new way of looking at friendly matches

We know from an early age that life is temporary and that good things pass, but unless that truth is brought home in a shocking way, we can only understand it in the abstract. By the time we reach adulthood, we can no longer hide it; it becomes ingrained in us and colors our experience of the world. This can be as deep as a consciousness of death, or as shallow as what I’m writing today about the Ryder Cup-style tournament that my friends and I play every fall.

It’s called the Channel’s Cup, and it was held this fall at Hillandale Golf Course in Durham, North Carolina. This was our 5th time and we had more friends than ever before, with 20 players on the course for each session. I was hoping to avoid a big loss like the last two years when my team, Carolinas & Canada, beat Team World by ridiculous margins, but in the end we over-corrected and beat Team World by 15-15 and 9-1.

Even amidst yet another crushing defeat, there were moments of brilliance. My friend Ivan and I won a tense opening round on the 18th hole, and my friend Noodles and I played a near-perfect (for our level) scramble match. But my favorite moment was when Team World won the trophy and I was so happy after three years of waiting.

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Losing is never fun, but this was a reminder of what we’ve built and how much care we’ve taken, and it made up for some of the shortcomings of the event itself. What happens to the Channels Cup from here is up in the air. We hope it lasts for decades, but the great memories we make cannot protect us from time and change. they are teeth But I feel a little kinder today than when I was younger. Because we now understand that whether the end comes this year or in 40 years, the end will come sooner. —Shane Ryan

it’s okay

I was supposed to decide what to hit. It was a shot that was somewhere between a bladed 4-iron and a chunked 3-iron, but that shot was off the table. The world is at your feet on the fourth tee at Royal County Down. One of golf’s most historic links and one of its most sublime vantage points opens the following morning. I’m usually an active player, but sometimes I have to stop and think. How good is this?

I joined Golf Digest in June 2015. For those of you keeping score, this summer marked my 10th anniversary at Golf Digest. It was a dream opportunity at the time, and luckily I still have it today, and I try to never take it for granted. At the same time, I’m approaching 40, a turning point in determining how my life will unfold, how I want to spend the remaining money, and whether adjustments are needed to reconcile the distance between ambition and reality. It is a privilege to have the luxury of thinking about this, but there is weight in thinking through the consequences of that decision.

I mention this because the challenge here is to share your favorite memories. The truth is, I wouldn’t trade every moment I’ve been here for anything. I’ve probably never had an investigator, media person, or editor take offense at my reporting. In my mind, it’s a lot like a rogue detective being taken to the captain’s cabin because something I wrote got the mayor fired up. I find myself getting bitten quite often now, which probably says something about me. But even with those uncomfortable moments and lack of time, it was all a great ride. Bucket-list experiences like Royal County Down, a major championship, and the chance to explore some of golf’s most compelling figures and stories are easily available. But I value every bit of it.

So, with gratitude, I will end this rambling. To my readers who have allowed me to do this, to my colleagues who have become my family. I’m not one to take a lot of pictures when I play golf, but I was lucky enough to have my colleague Will Irwin take this photo at number 4, Royal County Down. How good is this? It’s really nice. —Joel Beal