Three World Cup Traditions We'd Love to See in Golf

Golf is rich in tradition. I would even go so far as to say that tradition is a massive part of what makes golf so interesting, and most of why we as fans feel so tied to the sport’s history. But after watching Viktor Hovland lead a crowd of Norwegian fans in a viking “row” chant after securing his playoff win at the Travelers Championship, Istarted wondering if there are a few traditions golf could borrow from somewhere else.

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With the World Cup being played across the United States, Canada and Mexico–the Norwegian faithful had traveled down from Boston, where they had fallen 4-1 to France in their final group stage match–here are three(ish) traditions I would love to see brought to golf.

The Netherlands: Oranje Walk

I think we need to bring color coordination to golf. Watching over 36,000 Dutch fans–all dressed in their signature bright orange–swarm downtown Kansas City and then Houston had me reminiscing about seeing masses of Rickie Fowler fans sporting a similar look, often with that old flat-brim Puma hat as a complement.

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Golf being an individual sport makes this tough, but that shouldn’t mean that repping your favorite player is taboo. How much fun would it be to walk around a tournament and be able to tell exactly who someone is rooting for just by glancing at them? Gone are the days of showing up to a golf tournament looking like you’re about to hit the links yourself. Let’s spice it up!

Scotland: The Tartan Army

This one's less about a specific tradition and more about an attitude. The Tartan Army has become famous for turning every away match into a party—and consistently following it up by supporting local charities.

As a Red Sox fan in the midst of what seems to be a lost season nothing has made me happier than seeing thousands of the Tartan Army take over my favorite ballpark. And we just swept the Yankees last weekend, so I’m starting to think they might have turned our season around.

I haven’t asked him, but I’m sure Scotland native Robert MacIntyre wouldn’t mind having this crew support him across a few stops on tour.

Japan: Cleaning the Grandstands

I’m looking at you, WM Phoenix Open attendees.

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In a complete pivot from Scotland’s rowdy Tartan Army, Japanese fans have gotten well-deserved publicity during the World Cup and countless other international events for always staying behind to clean the stadiums. Credit to Skratch's Addie Parker on this crossover idea, but we're sure TPC Scottsdale would appreciate it if this tradition was brought over to golf.

I really could go on and on. The Mexican wave, the English songs, the Brazilian drums. With golf’s already existing tradition of decorum there is only so much room for chaos and noise, but seeing so many Norwegians converge on Cromwell, Connecticut, in support of their countrymen–Viktor Hovland and Kristoffer Reitan–made me wish we saw support like that every week. Viktor (and surely many other golfers) feel the same way.

One thing is for sure: I’d like American golf fans to have better traditions than being rude in Long Island. These were just a few ways we can get going down that path.

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