The Golf Channel Shake-Up: What Does It Mean for the Future of Golf?
How Comcast’s SpinCo Could Transform Golf Channel’s Role in the Industry
The media landscape is shifting, and Comcast's decision to spin off Golf Channel into a new entity, SpinCo, marks a pivotal moment for professional golf broadcasting. This decision raises key questions about the future of golf coverage:
What does this mean for Golf Channel’s role as a cornerstone of PGA Tour and LPGA coverage?
Will the PGA Tour seize the opportunity to centralize its media operations by acquiring Golf Channel?
With streaming giants expanding their presence, how will golf broadcasting evolve in the era of digital-first content?
Could new partnerships redefine how fans experience golf on screen?
The answers to these questions—and a deep dive into their implications for the golf industry—are in the article ahead. This is today’s exclusive content for our paid subscribers.
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But before we dive in, here’s a look at the top stories shaping the golf industry over the past seven days:
LPGA Tour Commemorates 75 Years with Record-Breaking 2025 Schedule.
TGL Partners with SYNLawn for Innovative Indoor Golf League.
LPGA and CME Group Extend Partnership Through 2027.
72nd PGA Show Expands for 2025.
SuperSpeed Golf Launches Comprehensive Swing Speed Training App.
And In our new section "People to Watch" we explore the new golf coaching app Mind Caddie, by Karl Morris.
Let´s go!!!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
LPGA Tour Commemorates 75 Years with Record-Breaking 2025 Schedule
The LPGA Tour has unveiled its 2025 schedule, which will mark its 75th anniversary and feature 35 events across 14 U.S. states and 11 countries.
With a historic prize fund of over $131 million—a nearly 90% increase since 2021—the season underscores the Tour’s ongoing growth.
Key milestones include the return to Mexico for the Riviera Maya Open and the debut of the Black Desert Championship, offering private charters for athletes. The 2025 calendar also boasts:
A record $83 million in non-major purses
16 events with at least $3 million in prizes
Enhanced player benefits like travel stipends and guaranteed payouts.
Notably, the CME Group Tour Championship continues to set the bar, offering the largest non-major winner’s check in women’s sports—$4 million.
Major Championships: New Venues, Historic Prizes
The major season promises fierce competition with a $47 million purse, the highest in LPGA history.
Highlights include first-time visits to Erin Hills for the U.S. Women’s Open and PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch East for the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. The summer European swing will feature the iconic Amundi Evian Championship and a debut at Royal Porthcawl for the AIG Women’s Open.
The full 2025 major schedule is:
The Chevron Championship, April 24th-27th, The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas.
U.S. Women’s Open, presented by Ally, May 29th - June 1st, Erin Hills, Wisconsin.
KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, June 19th - 22nd, Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco in Frisco, Texas.
Amundi Evian Championship, July 10th - 13th, Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France.
AIG Women’s Open, July 31st - Aug 3rd, Royal Porthcawl in Porthcawl, Wales, United Kingdom.
International Competition and Global Reach
The Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown returns to Korea’s New Korea Country Club in October, showcasing 32 athletes in a team match-play event. Building on its global appeal, the LPGA Tour extends its partnerships with major broadcasters, ensuring coverage on Golf Channel, NBC, CBS, and ESPN+.
“This schedule is highlighted by...higher purse sizes, increased benefits...and unforgettable moments for our partners, athletes, and fans worldwide.” - Mollie Marcoux Samaan, LPGA Commissioner.
The Short Game
TGL, presented by SoFi, has partnered with SYNLawn and announced the latter as its official synthetic surface partner. SYNLawn has installed approximately 31,000 square feet of turf in the custom-built SoFi Center, home to TGL’s innovative indoor golf league featuring six PGA TOUR star teams. TGL prioritized authenticity for the golfers competing in the league, dedicating over two years of research to ensure the synthetic short-game surface mirrors professional tour conditions. Andrew Macaulay, TMRW Sports CTO, highlighted SYNLawn’s “expertise, commitment to quality, and innovative products,” which exceeded expectations and earned praise from TGL players.
LPGA and CME Group extend partnership through 2027. CME Group remains the title sponsor of the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida, and the season-long Race to the CME Globe points competition, announced on November 20. The new deal begins with this year’s championship and runs until 2026. CME has sponsored the Florida event since 2011, boasting the largest prize purse in women’s golf history—$11 million in 2024, with $4 million awarded to the winner and $1 million to the runner-up.
The 72nd PGA Show in Orlando is expanding in 2025. More than 1,000 golf and lifestyle brands will showcase new equipment, technology, fashion, and services to thousands of PGA of America Golf Professionals, retailers, and global industry leaders from January 21–24, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center. This expanded Show Floor exceeds last year’s scale, with advance attendee registration surpassing 2024 figures. The PGA Show starts the $102 billion golf industry's business year. It attracts over 31,000 professionals, including 7,000 PGA and LPGA members, 1,000 VIP buyers, and 900 media representatives. Attendees represent prestigious clubs, resorts, and retailers, bringing $900 million in purchasing power and $2.9 billion in retail sales, showcasing the event's critical role in driving golf's growth.
SuperSpeed Golf launches comprehensive swing speed training app: The new smartphone app integrates overspeed training, mechanics training, and physical fitness into a personalized platform developed over two years. Users can complete physical and speed assessments, allowing the app’s algorithms to generate customized plans incorporating warm-up protocols, sequencing, grip strength, and more for golfers of all levels. Partnering with PGA Tour trainer Jason Glass, the app includes specialized fitness programming in mobility, core strength, and lower body strength alongside SuperSpeed’s extensive training database. It also introduces Distance Factor, a unique metric linking club head speed and ball flight while tracking yardage gains, speed trends, and session efforts. Available on iOS and Android, the app offers a free version with basic protocols or a premium subscription for $99 per year for an enhanced training experience.
PEOPLE TO WATCH
Mind Caddie: Mental Coaching App for Golfers of All Levels
This week we would like to talk about Mind Caddie, an innovative golf mental game app that revolutionizes how golfers approach the psychological aspects of the sport. Developed by Karl Morris, one of Europe’s leading performance coaches with a track record of working with six Major Champions and over 100 professional players, the app offers a wealth of tools and resources to help golfers master their mental game. Unlike traditional coaching methods that focus solely on technique, Mind Caddie emphasizes the importance of mindset, providing bite-sized audio lessons, practical exercises, and guided journaling to enhance focus, confidence, and composure under pressure.
The app caters to players of all skill levels, offering strategies to manage first-tee nerves, stay calm during high-pressure moments, and maintain clarity throughout the chaos of a round. Drawing from Karl’s experience with top PGA and LPGA Tour players, Mind Caddie provides actionable insights used by elite professionals, ensuring the lessons are both practical and proven. The app’s structured approach helps golfers develop routines, improve their resilience, and unlock their full potential, making it a valuable companion on and off the course.
By combining cutting-edge performance psychology with real-world golfing expertise, Mind Caddie demystifies the mental side of the game. Whether you’re an amateur aiming to break 90 or a seasoned competitor seeking a winning edge, the app empowers you to see the game differently and take control of the "six inches between your ears." With Karl Morris’s guidance and a range of engaging features, Mind Caddie delivers a transformative experience for golfers looking to elevate their performance and enjoy the game at its fullest.
More info: Mindcaddie.golf.
Golf Channel To Be Spun Off
Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Amol Sharma reported that Comcast has officially announced plans to spin off Golf Channel and a handful of other cable networks into a newly formed entity temporarily named “SpinCo.”
This decision underscores the shifting landscape of cable television as audiences gravitate toward streaming platforms. Despite challenges, the move is claimed to open the door to new opportunities for the Golf Channel and its role in professional golf broadcasting.