10 Classic PGA Commercials from the ’90s You Forgot Existed
Read this article for a nostalgic look back at some of the most memorable and strange PGA ads from the 1990s. These ads, which included everything from funny jokes to famous people's cameos, showed what golf and its culture were like in the 1980s.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
In the 1990s, when the sport was becoming more popular and its stars were becoming well-known, PGA commercials were at their best. This article discusses 10 commercials from that decade that made millions of people laugh, think, and play golf. Fans will never forget these ads, which included everything from funny product endorsements to unforgettable moments with famous golfers. Some of these commercials are now just a memory, but they still show how far the PGA and its marketing have come.
1. “The Duel” – Tiger Woods vs. Payne Stewart
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In one of the most famous ads of the 1990s, Tiger Woods and Payne Stewart were in a funny and intense “duel” on the golf course. As a joke about their rivalry, the ad showed them playing golf against each other in a skewed battle of nerves and skill. The commercial became a hit because of their funny back-and-forth.
2. “The Power of the Perfect Swing” – Nike Golf
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If you remember the Nike Golf commercials in the 1990s, “The Power of the Perfect Swing” with golfers like Fred Couples is a great example. The ad used a dramatic slow-motion video and intense music to show how beautiful and powerful the perfect golf swing is. It had high-energy images and the brand’s usual message of performance.
3. “This Is What Golf Is All About” – Titleist
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Titleist’s 1997 ad showed emotional and dramatic moments of golfers on the course and praising the hard work and accuracy needed to be a great golfer. The commercial showed how passionate golfers are about the game by focusing on its mental and physical parts. It got right to the heart of golf with a strong voiceover and cinematic shots.
4. “Just Do It, Golf Edition” – Nike
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Fans of golf liked this early Nike Golf ad, which featured Tiger Woods and other PGA stars showing off their skills. The catchphrase “Just Do It” also stuck with golf fans. The commercial focused on the link between athleticism and golf, which was a new idea for the sport at the time. Nike did a smart thing by connecting the drive of athletes like Woods to their famous slogan.
5. “The Golden Bear” – Jack Nicklaus for Gatorade
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This ad featuring one of golf’s greatest legends, Jack Nicklaus, endorsing Gatorade was one of the best of the 1990s. The ad, which focused on performance and recovery, showed Nicklaus’s competitive spirit and the energy boost that Gatorade gave him. It was a memorable moment in the sports drink market because it was funny and had an endorsement.
6. “The Swing of a Lifetime” – TaylorMade
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In a mid-1990s commercial, TaylorMade showed golfers from all walks of life hitting amazing shots to show how advanced the technology was in their clubs. The ad used a fun and silly tone to show how TaylorMade clubs could help a player’s game. It struck a chord with amateurs and professionals who wanted to improve their work.
7. “Don’t Forget the Towel” – PGA Tour
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In the 1990s, there was a commercial called “Don’t Forget the Towel.” It made fun of how silly it would be to forget a towel at a golf tournament. By putting professional golfers in funny situations, it used humor to get people to be more prepared and show how hard life is for a professional golfer. The ad turned into a funny way to remember the little things that matter on the course.
8. “Fore!” – Golf Channel
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The Golf Channel showed an ad in the late 1990s with exciting clips from PGA tournaments and players shouting “Fore!” as they teed off. This simple but effective ad showed how exciting live tournaments are and how much people look forward to each shot. Another thing it did was spread the idea that golf was a fun and unpredictable sport to watch.
9. “The PGA Experience” – American Express
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In the 1990s, American Express and the PGA collaborated to create a series of commercials about the high-class life of a golfer. These ads showed professional golfers having a great time at exclusive PGA events. American Express was a big part of making the golf experience more luxurious. The commercial did a great job of connecting the PGA Tour with the image of a high-end brand.
10. “The Perfect Shot” – Callaway Golf
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In this late-1990s Callaway ad, golfers hit what looked like perfect shots on beautiful courses, which was made possible by Callaway’s cutting-edge gear. The commercial tried to show that Callaway’s clubs could help golfers hit the perfect shot every time with beautiful images and fast-paced music. It stood out because of its lively energy and focus on the thrill of golf.