Editor’s Note: Sometimes, we like to do random things at Complex UK because—why not? Laura ‘Hyperfrank’ Brosnan has a long history of exploring subcultures, most notably grime, via the mediums of photography and journalism, but never has ‘Hypes’ done this in the realm of sport—especially one as seemingly lowkey as golf. So when we were offered the chance to fly a writer out to cover the PGA Tour in Florida, we thought this colliding of worlds would be the most random thing ever. Dive in below.
The PGA Tour’s Players Championship isn’t just any sports event—it’s the adrenaline-fueled golf event of the year, dubbed the “fifth major.” Imagine the most talented golfers from across the world linking up at Florida’s TPC Sawgrass, tackling the fierce course—including the infamous par-3 17th, a separate island of green that will get some of the most professional golfers sweating in their polo shirts.
Since its inception in 1974, the tournament has become a battleground for greatness, offering a massive prize (where do we sign up?) as well as career-defining glory. The PGA Tour delivers four rounds of intense stroke action, with plenty jaw-dropping moments and nail-biting drama. Think England at the World Cup or Phil Mitchell during every EastEnders appearance, or your favourite grime MC in a clash! March 2024 marked the 50th edition of the championship and the PGA Tour invited us out to Jacksonville, Florida, to dive head-first into the world of golf.
Making sure to pack all our expert knowledge on the game (i.e. knowing Tempa T’s “Swinnng!” bars off-by-heart and, of course, deciphering our Lacoste from our GOLF le FLEUR), we took time to talk with some of the game’s most exciting new talents to discover how music plays a role in their training. We also spoke frankly with emerging voices on the golf scene in the UK, who are using social media to inspire new audiences with their refreshing love for the game.
Get to know after the jump.
Hannah Davies
Hannah Davis is a Manchester-hailing golf guru with a PGA coaching degree. As the world hit pause in the lockdown of 2020, this golf lover didn’t miss a beat. Leveraging her social channels, Hannah seamlessly blended her love for the game with her knack for coaching, birthing her very own brand of content creation. Her smooth coaching style shines with each post and video, captivating audiences near and far with her infectious passion for the sport.
When did you first fall in love with golf?
I remember going to the driving range for the first time, and the first ball I hit, I got it high in the air. From then, it was like an instant addiction, especially to chase that buzzing feeling. The next shots after that weren’t as great but it was just that one good shot. Usually, when you get addicted to something, that’s showing that you love it and you care about it. But with golf, it’s all about the process, as well as striving to become better. And as you get better, your ‘Good Shot’ becomes better, so you kind of fall in love with golf every time that happens because it’s like a rollercoaster. Even on a round, you’re going along, you’re playing great, you’re loving it, but then you start playing bad, you hate it, but then you just fall in love with it over and over again because it’s all a part of getting better.
How important is it for you to use your coaching to get new audiences, especially more women, into golf?
Being a junior female coming up in the game, it was very rare to see many women regularly playing golf. When I started, I would say there were roughly 40 juniors in the group, three of which were girls. And we all went through that process together. When you get to a certain age, a lot of people do drop off, for many reasons, but I carried on. So I found myself being the only girl playing; I got used to playing with the boys. But now, to be fair, I love beating them. That was, and is, a massive drive for me.
How does the current climate look on more of a grassroots level in your view?
The last, say, five years has been a massive push for women in golf, junior golf, and England golf are doing a really good job at getting people more involved as well. With the coaching side of things, I coach everyone, all abilities, starting from two or three years old. If the child wants to, and they’re keen to, I will coach them up and up to my oldest client I coach, who is 92. Women, men, juniors, everyone—it’s a complete mix. It’s great to see a lot more young girls and women in the game now. I love heading to the driving range and seeing lots of women on the range, playing and enjoying themselves.
How do you feel social media is changing the landscape of golf?
I think the social media side is very important because those people who maybe fancy playing golf and are a bit scared of trying to approach that world can see other people are doing it just like them and it’s cool. If you look at the fashion side of golf, that’s become massive now. When I was a junior, there were no clothes that fit me to go and play golf, whereas now I feel like what I wear to the golf course, I would wear that day to day as well.
What brands are you most excited about wearing?
I really like the lifestyle-golf crossover, which leans a lot more into the fitnessy gym style. But then some brands also have the swing on it, like actual fashion-fashion, which I love too. So you’ve got all the Adidas, Nike, Lacoste and Malbon, which have great collections; they’ve got that twist where it’s cool to wear this stuff on the golf course and down to the shops. I feel like skateboarding and cricket are coming into that, too, and rolling into mainstream fashion.
When it comes to womenswear in golf, how has that changed?
The clothing that used to be there for women in golf had, like, sparkles all over it. I was like, “I don’t want to wear that. Sparkly flowers? That’s not my thing.” [Laughs] Even if you look at the footwear, you can now wear a Nike Air Max trainer which is an authentic golf shoe. I’ve also got a pair of Jordans that are golf shoes too. I do put them on just to go out as well because most people don’t realise they’re golf shoes. They’ve made it into a thing now, especially when they bring out the limited-edition trainers, so you might see people walking around with them and you’re like, “Oh! Okay, I see you.”
What would you say to a person who’s reading this and is interested in getting involved?
Go and try it for yourself, because I think a lot of people’s eyes would be open to see that it’s not how it used to be—it’s not this ‘elites only’ thing like how it was once perceived to be. It’s a fast-growing game that a lot more young people are getting involved in. For your first time, I’d suggest going to your local driving range; go and see it for yourself. Who knows? You might really enjoy it.
Louis Jean
Louis Jean, who runs ClubFaceUK, is one of Europe’s largest golf TikTokers. The Essex-born golfer brings a unique approach to his content, from wild challenges to creating digestible videos that reach far beyond your usual golf fanatic.
Talk to me about the moment you first fell in love with golf.
In all honesty, golf helped me escape the world. So you’d have a really bad day or you’d be super busy at work, but when you play golf—that’s it. It’s you, the golf course and the golf ball. No distractions. You can’t text, you can’t call, you can’t do anything. It began as my escape and that’s when I fell in love with golf. I was like, “Oh! This is my happy place.” And then it just slowly turned into what it is now.
How does music play a role in and around your golf game?
I’m a golfer who listens to music whilst I’m playing. So, if I’m by myself, I’ll listen to music. If I’m with a group of guys or girls that I’m comfortable with, I’ll play music in the car before a game. I play my best golf after I listen to music. If I need to play a Pro-Am or an event, I’ve got music in my ear until it’s tee time.
So, what are some of your favourite bangers that help you play a great game?
The best part about listening to music is, once you put the headphones in, you can’t hear anything. Like with rap, for example, you’ve got someone telling you a story. You can’t focus on anything else other than the song and then your game of golf. So you’re not focusing on all the bad shots, people looking at you or what they’re thinking about you. You’re just practising, tuned and dialled in. With artists, it depends on my mood. So I have a lot of playlists; sometimes I’ll listen to Potter Payper, then it might be more of a Drake or Dave vibe. I can’t listen to just beats. Some people enjoy EDM or more hype instrumentals, but I need to hear a voice.
Can you explain to us what is so special about the PGA Tour and what we’ve experienced during this epic 50th edition of The Players Tournament?
We’ve been able to delve deeper into the history of the PGA Tour. What I love is that I’ve known about the tour and followed some of its important moments for years—especially as a golfer, it’s really inspired me. However, seeing it in person and physically having access to the prestigious Clubhouse, talking with the First Timers and even going behind the ropes, doing all these things and seeing places that only a few get to experience is so special. It reminded me why we play golf. This is why we do what we do and why so many people have before us. It’s hard to explain but I don’t really get butterflies, my heart doesn’t really go, but being behind the ropes and seeing it from their perspective, so close to the players, you feel the intimidation because it’s like when they throw up the, ‘No noise, please!’ signs, it just gets quiet, in large crowds of hundreds of people. All you hear are the birds and your own breath. It’s weird and special all at the same time.
Golf has notoriously been known as a game for the privileged few. How do you feel social media is breaking the reach to new audiences?
I think the social media scene for golf has never been in a better place. It’s only growing. To anyone who isn’t in golf, they see it as an old man’s sport, country club vibes. But it’s actually not like that. It’s crashing into the 20-year-olds to 30-year-olds; it’s coming into a generation where it’s going to be run by younger people. With the work that we’re doing, and so many more like us, we’re all passionate about inspiring and welcoming others to play for fun, as a serious hobby, watch golf or attend events. How cool is that? That’s the best thing you can do: inspire others to try something you love.
Matthieu Pavon
French golf sensation Matthieu Pavon dominates the global scene with his unmatched skill and humble demeanour. Since turning pro in 2013, he’s conquered top courses worldwide, earning respect for his gritty yet graceful play.
When did you first fall in love with golf?
It’s hard to say because my mum was, and still is, a golf teacher. My grandpa and grandmother were also golf players. So, from a very young age, I was playing but it was when they took me to a practice range that I realised I loved it. I played a lot of football from a young age—my dad’s a football player—but it was when I was 16 that I got into individual sports, like golf.
Talk to us about your style.
To be fair, it’s pretty simple. I always like blue. Blue and white match well together. I like blue but not the same blue everywhere. Ping always looks great; I have very flexible ankles so I need some leather, which is a little bit harder for my shoes. I always wear metal spikes that keep me a bit more grounded.
What role does music play in your golf life?
For me, it’s big! Every day I listen to music, and I always have my little speaker with me. So once I head home after a game, I’ll turn on some music to unwind. I listen to a lot of rap; I listen to so many artists, but I would say the rapper I listen to the most is Drake. It’s not a new track, but for the last few weeks, I’ve been listening a lot to “Fair Trade” from his Certified Lover Boy album. I’m a big fan of Biggie and 2pac, too. I love putting on Spotify’s playlists that are filled with some of the best rap of the ‘90s. It was a great era.
Ludvig Åberg
Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg embodies nothing but skill on the green. His journey is a whirlwind of victories and jaw-dropping shots across the globe’s top courses. Yet, what truly sets him apart is his laid-back demeanour and genuine sportsmanship. Beyond the fairways, he’s a beacon of inspiration, proving that being passionate isn’t just about winning—it's about staying true to yourself and spreading positivity along the way.
When did you first fall in love with golf?
It must have been when I passed my dad in the handicap system. I was like 12 or 13. I remember I was like, “Ahhh! This is fun! This is so cool.” Growing up, I always saw my dad as a really good player; he had a 3 handicap. So, once I passed that number myself, I thought: “Oh, yeah, this is pretty good.” It gave me the drive to want more.
Talk to us about your style and how you pick out your outfit for an important event like this one.
I always try to keep it very simple. I don’t like too much going on, in terms of patterns and colours, hence the black-on-black-on-black today. I try my best to keep my style quite basic—I think that’s the best way to do it. I always wear white shoes, for some reason. I’ve always enjoyed looking down at my feet, on the backdrop of the green grass, and seeing white shoes.
Tell us about your watch—is that a usual accessory?
When I turned pro, I was very fortunate to become a part of the Rolex club, and it was a dream come true!
Karima Hassan
Bred in the heartland of golf, Scotland’s very own St. Andrews, Karima Hassan teed off her golfing adventure back in the summer of 2022. Swapping blueprints for birdies, this architecture grad now swings her way through the fairways while smashing stereotypes about young women in the sport on her social media feeds. With each swing captured and shared on the lively platform of keeks.golf, Karima’s journey is a vibrant tapestry of fun, flair, and empowerment.
When did you first fall in love with golf?
It was just after my first lesson. There was a moment that I had a good shot, and realised that with a few simple changes, you can turn an ‘okay shot’ into a great one. Before this, I didn’t have lessons for three months, so it became frustrating as hell as I was doing it all wrong. So in that moment, a light switched inside me and I was like, “Okay, we could do this!”
You speak openly about your golfing journey and how you’re slowly building up your confidence as you get better in your game...
—I still get nervous! Every time I set up my shot, I stand over and I just hit it really quickly. When I play with really good players, in my head, I battle with: “They don’t care about me. I’m a shit golfer. Get me out of the way so they can play their good golf.” But I found that surrounding myself with other players who encourage you is special.
There was a recent viral video, which saw professional golfer Georgia Ball experience wild levels of mansplaining while practising her swing on the driving range. This video caused a lot of women to speak out with their uncomfortable experiences. What would you say to encourage more young women to try the game, despite these types of experiences?
Golf is a sport you’ll have for the rest of your life. And I can’t express it enough that I love seeing girls and women wanting to get involved. The game itself is great for your mind, body and soul. However, there’s no escaping that some people within the game—both men and women, sadly—may treat you differently. I’ve had my moments of feeling low. At first, some of the comments used to get me down, but it’s slowly becoming water off a duck’s back. With that comes self-confidence. The golf clothes that I wear now, would I have worn them when I first started? No. I wanted to lay low and not be looked at. Whereas now, I’m like, “I don’t care.” If I’m wearing a stunning outfit and I’m still shanking it on the course, I still look good and I don’t give a shit. It’s like you’re playing your own game.
How important is social media becoming within the golf community? Especially in bringing more visibility and content for and to young women.
I get a lot of girls saying, “Oh, I love your outfit.” One of my favourite ones, which I’ve had a few times, is when I get dad messaging me, saying, “Hey, my daughter’s 12 and she’s into golf. What kind of golf clothes should I buy her?” I'm like, “That’s so cute!” It’s hard to find decent girls golf clothing. It’s bad out there. But there are brands that I love to wear and always pass on, like Lacoste and Malban. I don’t want to buy something just for the golf course; I’ll buy a jumper that I can wear with jeans as well. A lot of my golf clothes, a lot of the clothes you see me wearing in my videos, aren’t golf clothes at all. I’ll put cycling shorts over my plaid skirts. All my plaid skirts are from Superdry and I get so many comments on them. It’s important to think outside the box. You don’t need to wear exclusively golf clothes to fit that aesthetic.
What was your highlight of this PGA Tour trip?
Visiting the Clubhouse here was powerful. It’s nice seeing history up close. This tournament has been going for so many years and now you’re standing here, right where some of the greatest players have, and just by being here, you’re now a part of this important golf legacy. That’s a big deal. I loved seeing how many kids and young people were at the tournament. That’s what I like about PGA: it gives off such a wholesome, family vibe.
For more on the PGA Tour, head here.
