LIV Golf UK 2025

LIV Golf UK 2025 – My Honest Take

My last experience at a LIV Golf event was at Centurion Club, London, in 2023. It was a fascinating insight into a new format — a different kind of golf crowd, a different vibe, and while the attendance was decent, it didn’t feel packed.

Fast forward to 2025 at JCB Golf & Country Club — and the difference was stark. Bigger crowds, slicker logistics, and a much more confident event identity. Interestingly, they’re now calling it simply the “UK event,” without tying it to a city. From the moment you approach the venue, the scale of it all hits you — more volunteers, better signage, a streamlined ticketing system, and a real sense that LIV Golf has matured.

The Venue & Experience

JCB is an impressive setting. After arriving and collecting a digital wristband, you walk a fair distance to the golf complex, which just underlines the scale of the place — set within JCB’s main HQ and factory grounds.

I had a Grounds Plus ticket, which allowed access to a few extra areas, including a solid vantage point on the 1st tee. As a coach, I’m always on the lookout for good down-the-line or face-on views for technical content, and while it’s never easy at a public event, I managed to grab some solid footage I’ll be analysing in future posts.

Facilities were strong — plenty of food and drink outlets, family zones, and well-considered viewing points. The whole thing felt more inclusive, especially for families and younger fans. Definitely more kids and teenagers around than at most traditional tour events, which speaks volumes about LIV’s ability to tap into a newer golf audience.

Format Observations

LIV’s shotgun start format (or “multi-tee start,” as it may eventually be called) has always been one of its quirks. But it’s evolving. One subtle but clever tweak I noticed was that the leading players tended to tee off from the lower-numbered holes (1–4), which helped recreate a more traditional end-of-round atmosphere as they came through 16, 17, and 18 — something that was missing in early editions.

That said, the warm-up phase is almost chaotic — everyone hits the range at once, rather than the staggered warm-ups we’re used to at traditional events. For fans, though, this creates a bit of buzz and brings atmosphere to the practice area.

The Teams & Branding

The team concept still feels like the piece that hasn’t quite landed. It’s a great idea — a fresh layer of narrative and identity in a sport that’s traditionally individual — but I don’t think the team names or branding have resonated deeply yet.

There’s huge potential here. Personally, I’d love to see a version where teams are linked to nations or manufacturers — imagine Team Ping vs. Team Mizuno or Team Callaway. That would engage fans on another level and open up massive commercial opportunities. But I appreciate there are politics involved.

Still, the branding overall is strong. The merchandise zone was 100% LIV — no other golf brands visible, and each team had dedicated merchandise and areas. It’s bold, it’s deliberate, and it gives LIV a distinct identity.

Media Coverage & Reach

This is where the biggest gap still lies. LIV currently relies heavily on its own channels and services like YouTube and ITVX. To truly embed itself in the global golf conversation, it needs broader international broadcast deals. The product is improving — but it still lacks that mainstream visibility and impact, particularly when you compare it to the PGA Tour or DP World Tour coverage.

Player Dynamics & Ryder Cup Considerations

The fact that top-ranked DP World players like Tyrrell Hatton and of course Jon Rahm are now part of LIV raises interesting questions — especially with the Ryder Cup on the horizon. At the time of writing, Hatton sits in an automatic qualifying spot. Will that hold? And what message will a captain’s pick send? It’s one of many unfolding storylines LIV Golf now contributes to the broader professional game.

Final Thoughts

I’d recommend attending a LIV event, especially if you’re curious about the evolving face of the sport. It’s not trying to copy traditional tours — it’s creating its own rhythm, atmosphere, and fan experience. Whether you’re a coach, fan, or simply interested in the direction of the professional game, it’s worth seeing first-hand.

I’ll be heading to the Women’s Invitational at Centurion next month and will share a similar report — and I’m planning to attend another traditional event later this year to keep the comparisons rolling.

LIV is here to stay, and while it’s still growing into its identity, it’s offering something genuinely different. That’s worth paying attention to.

Would love to hear your thoughts — is there room for multiple formats at the top of the game?

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