What to Expect from the Upcoming PGA Changes

A number of new changes have just been announced for the upcoming PGA season. Here’s what we know so far about the upcoming PGA changes. 

Elevated Events

The changes will include 13 designated “elevated events” where the top players will play. These include 4 not-yet-determined events along with the 3 FedEx Cup playoff events, the Genesis Invitational, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, The Players, Memorial Tournament, and the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

Top Player Designation

For golfers to be considered a “top player,” they must compete in at least 20 PGA events, including 17 particular ones, and be ranked in the top 20 in the Player Impact Program (PIP). 

The intent behind having the top players participate in the 13 elevated events is to ensure that the best players get together to compete against one another more often. Rory McIlroy said that “Sometimes what’s happened on the PGA Tour is we all act independently and we sort of have our own schedules, and that means that we never really get together all that often.” The hope of the top players and elevated events is to address this issue and create more star-studded events that appeal to spectators.

New Ways of Playing

The PGA will start including new types of events designed to be more engaging to a younger generation of sports fans. One example of this is the new tech-infused golf league (TGL), spearheaded by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods. The TGL will consist of primetime televised semi-virtual events where players hit long drives on a virtual screen and then complete their short game on a custom-built complex at the center of the arena. 

Changes to the PIP

The PIP’s formula for measuring player impact is going to be adjusted. Additionally, the number of players who benefit from the PIP is doubling from 10 people to 20. With this increase in players comes an increase in funds, with $100 million set to be distributed. Not only that, the winner in 2022 and 2023 will be getting a $15 million bonus.

There are lots of exciting new changes coming up for the game of golf, but one thing never changes: we have amazing deals on all the best used golf balls!