How Golfers Are Responding to Cannabis Legalization

The golf world is no stranger to tradition, etiquette, and strict rules, but an unlikely subject has found its way into locker room discussions and press conferences: cannabis. As legalization expands across the United States and athletes in other sports publicly endorse its benefits, professional golfers are beginning to navigate their own complicated relationship with the plant.

For decades, cannabis was firmly off-limits in golf. The PGA Tour, like most professional sports leagues, followed the lead of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in banning cannabinoids, citing performance enhancement concerns and reputational risks. Players caught with THC in their system risked suspension, fines, and a tarnished image. But with shifting public opinion, those rigid stances are loosening, sparking a quiet but noticeable shift among golfers.

Some players now openly acknowledge cannabis as part of their wellness routine, particularly for managing pain and anxiety. Golf is physically grueling in ways casual fans often overlook: repetitive swings wear down joints, hours of walking exacerbate back and knee pain, and the mental toll of tournament pressure is relentless. For certain golfers, cannabis—particularly CBD products—offers relief without the dependency risks associated with opioids or prescription sedatives.

Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters champion, has partnered with a CBD company and frequently speaks about its benefits for recovery and sleep. Other high-profile players have signed endorsement deals with hemp or CBD brands, bringing cannabis-adjacent products into mainstream golf advertising. These moves mark a stark departure from just a decade ago, when even a whiff of association with cannabis could have derailed a career.

Still, THC remains a more complicated subject. The PGA Tour continues to test for marijuana, though enforcement has softened. While the Tour has not announced sweeping policy changes, insiders suggest suspensions for cannabis use are increasingly rare, particularly as WADA lowered its sensitivity threshold in 2021. This means that golfers who use cannabis legally off the course in states like Nevada or California may not face the same consequences that players once did.

Not all players are ready to embrace the shift. Some traditionalists warn that aligning golf with cannabis could undermine its reputation as a “gentleman’s game.” They argue that the sport’s appeal lies partly in its clean image, especially to corporate sponsors who value family-friendly branding. Others question whether cannabis provides a performance advantage by calming nerves under pressure, potentially raising fairness concerns.

Yet younger players—many of whom came of age in states where cannabis was legal—see little stigma. For them, cannabis is less about rebellion and more about wellness. On social media, discussions about gummies, CBD balms, and infused beverages often circulate alongside posts about gym routines and nutrition plans. This generational divide may ultimately shape the sport’s policies in the coming years.

Off the course, cannabis companies are eager to tap into golf’s affluent audience. Sponsorship deals, once unthinkable, are now emerging at regional and amateur levels, though the PGA Tour has yet to open the door fully. Analysts suggest that as cannabis brands seek mainstream legitimacy, golf—with its blend of tradition and trendsetting athletes—could become a key platform.

For now, professional golfers are straddling two worlds: one rooted in tradition, the other in changing cultural attitudes. Whether cannabis becomes as common in golf bags as energy drinks or remains a point of contention will depend not only on league policies but on players’ willingness to lead the conversation.