Looking Ahead: What I’m Cautiously, Hopeful, and Slightly Nervously Excited About for the 2026 Golf Season
Guest column by Bill Hobson
Every new golf season arrives with promise, optimism, and the firm belief that this will finally be the year everything clicks. The 2026 season is no different. Here, in no particular order, are some of the things on the horizon in the coming year...
First up, the PGA Merchandise Show. Every January it delivers at least one “this-changes-everything” innovation that usually turns out to be a repackaged version of something we already own… but shinier. Still, hope springs eternal. Somewhere between the launch monitors and the miracle training aids, there’s bound to be a legitimate breakthrough that makes golf easier, better, or at least more entertaining to talk about. What will it be this time?
I’m also watching closely to see if the new PGA Tour Commissioner delivers on his bold promises — especially when it comes to extending the Rocket Classic beyond this year. Michigan golf fans still carry the emotional scar tissue from saying goodbye to the Buick Open two decades ago. We’ve done the grieving once. This wonderful golf state deserves stability, visibility, and a Tour stop that sticks.
Then there’s the Ally Challenge. Will we still have a PGA Tour Champions event at Warwick Hills after 2026? The outlook isn’t great for an extension, but the execution of the event has been outstanding. Losing that tournament at the home of the Buick Open would be a shame for fans and golf’s legends alike.
By the way, kudos to the LPGA Tour for valuing Michigan – and player travel schedules – enough to change tournament dates so we can now enjoy the Meijer LPGA Classic and Dow Championship in back-to-back weeks. It's going to be a very fun month of June!
I’m also encouraged by continued improvements in electric push carts. The “follow me” technology in the Axglo e5 is already best-in-class, but I have a feeling there will be more improvements made in this sector. As we encourage more golfers to walk, the message will be more compelling with smoother, smarter technology available.
Other questions loom large: Will an “old guy” finally rise up to win the Michigan Amateur, or will the long-bombing college kids keep dominating? Can golf’s post-pandemic enthusiasm continue, or are we due for a plateau?
And how about service in the age of AI? Will drones deliver hot dogs at the turn? Will GPS-guided mowers replace the terrified range picker forever? The Jetsons would approve.
Meanwhile, Topgolf faces a crossroads: rethink pricing or continue charging $200 for a group of four, a mediocre burger, and range balls that have seen better decades.
As boutique brands like Snell Golf and Sub 70 Golf continue delivering real value, will big brands finally bring pricing back to Earth — or just keep promising “longer than ever” yet again?
On a personal playing note, 2026 will be a year of positive golf goals. Replacing the “don’t three-putt” or “avoid the lake on 16,” to more aspirational goals – like better preparation, smarter course management, more focus on birdies instead of avoiding doubles, and maybe — just maybe — finishing strong once in a while. Finally, the biggest mystery of all: Is there any chance I can finish a great round the same way I start it? Because being +2 through 15 and signing for 81 is a special kind of heartbreak.
Here’s hoping 2026 delivers answers — and the best golf year yet.
