Golfers like Rory McIlroy emphasize the importance of preserving the sport's traditions and values even as the game seeks to grow globally and attract new audiences.

Brian Rolapp, the new CEO of the PGA Tour with a background in NFL leadership, aims to bring innovative strategies and success models from football to golf.

Rolapp has announced plans for significant changes in the PGA Tour, focusing on modernization and expansion.

The challenge for golf is to modernize while respecting its history, similar to transformations seen in other major sports like basketball, football, and baseball.

Recent events such as the Ryder Cup at Bethpage highlighted issues with fan behavior, sparking discussions on how to attract new audiences without compromising sportsmanship.

A key goal is to boost golf's popularity and financial value, especially with upcoming TV rights deals on the horizon.

Golf leaders like McIlroy stress the importance of balancing tradition with the need to attract new fans and markets, including countries like India.

Rolapp's NFL experience, which helped transform the league into a multi-hundred billion dollar industry, influences his approach to modernizing golf.

Ultimately, navigating these changes requires careful balancing—adopting innovative strategies without losing the sport’s unique identity.