Technology Meets Age Old Golf Debates

Is AI going to be the key to answering many of golf’s most enduring debates and important questions?

I have read and I have been told that AI is revolutionary and going to change the world. So, exactly what does that mean and how could it possibly change my day-to-day life? I am out of school and I am retired, so getting AI to write book reports or sales memos for me won’t save me either time or effort. For me, anyway, it’s a wait and see game. As iRobot co-founder Colin Angle said, “It's going to be interesting to see how society deals with artificial intelligence, but it will definitely be cool.”

For me “cool” is giving me information on which golfer to bet on, which courses should be on my bucket list and providing tidbits of information and “informed opinions” that will help me put together the weekly email.

So, below you will find information and opinions that I have gathered from my four primary AI sources Copilot, Chat GPT, Perplexity and Grok 4. I am still unsure if AI is a trusted source for research and opinions. I will say this, my AI sources aren’t afraid of expressing their opinions.

I asked all four AI sources, “Who Are The Top 10 Male Golfers of All Time?” I still find it difficult to believe that any source would put Tiger ahead of Nicklaus. Microsoft’s Copilot rationale was: “Held all 4 majors at once (Tiger Slam), 82 PGA Tour wins, revolutionized athleticism in golf.” I have no idea how that beats what Copilot said about Nicklaus: “Most major wins ever, 56 Top-5 finishes in majors, unmatched consistency.”

Also, it seems that AI gives extra credit to Arnold Palmer for his charm, which has nothing to do with on-course performance. Chat GPT said, “Impact: Charismatic and influential -- popularized golf on TV and brought it to the masses.”

*Jones’ 13 Majors include U.S. and British Amateurs, which were considered Majors in his era.

Question asked: What Are The Top 5 Public-Access Courses in the U.S. that have opened since 2020?

Copilot’s Answer:

Perplexity’s Answer:

Question asked: Based on your research and judgment, what do you consider to be the 5 greatest shots in the history of golf’s major tournaments for men?

Grok’s answer:

 1. Gene Sarazen’s Albatross, 1935 Masters (15th Hole, Par 5): In the final round at Augusta National, Sarazen trailed by three shots. Facing the par-5 15th, he hit a 235-yard 4-wood that carried the water, landed on the green, and rolled into the hole for a double eagle (albatross). Known as the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” it tied him with the leader, Craig Wood, and propelled him to a playoff victory.

2. Tiger Woods’ Chip-In, 2005 Masters (16th Hole, Par 3): In the final round, Woods was in a tight battle with Chris DiMarco. His tee shot on the par-3 16th went long, leaving a tricky chip from the rough. The ball landed above the pin, paused dramatically on the edge of the cup, then dropped for a birdie. This gave Woods a two-shot lead, pivotal to his playoff win and fourth Masters title.

3. Tom Watson’s Chip-In, 1982 U.S. Open (17th Hole, Par 3): At Pebble Beach, Watson was tied with Jack Nicklaus heading into the final holes. His tee shot on the par-3 17th went left into thick rough. Facing a near-impossible chip, Watson confidently told his caddie, “I’m going to make it,” and holed out for birdie. This gave him the lead, sealed with a birdie on 18, to win his only U.S. Open.

4. Jack Nicklaus’ Tee Shot, 1986 Masters (17th Hole, Par 3):
At 46, Nicklaus was staging a historic comeback in the final round. Trailing by four at the start, he reached the par-3 17th needing a spark. His 5-iron tee shot landed inches from the hole, setting up a birdie that gave him the lead. He closed with a 65 to win his sixth Masters, becoming the oldest champion in the tournament’s history.

5. Phil Mickelson’s Putt, 2004 Masters (18th Hole, Par 4):
Tied with Ernie Els in the final round, Mickelson faced an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th to win his first major. This victory ended years of “best player without a major” talk.

 Chat GPT’s answer:

 1. Gene Sarazen – 4-wood on the 15th hole, Final Round, 1935 Masters. Shot: Double eagle (albatross)

2. Ben Hogan – 1-iron to the 18th hole, Final Round, 1950 U.S. Open at Merion. Just 16 months after a near-fatal car crash, Hogan striped a 1-iron from 213 yards into the heart of the green to set up a par and force a playoff, which he won the next day. The image of Hogan's follow-through is one of golf's most iconic.

3. Jack Nicklaus – 1-iron on the 17th hole, Final Round, 1972 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Clinging to a narrow lead, Nicklaus hit a towering 1-iron into the stiff ocean breeze that slammed into the flagstick and settled inches away, sealing the win.

4. Tom Watson – Chip-in on the 17th hole, Final Round, 1982 U.S. Open.

5. Tiger Woods – Chip-in on the 16th hole, Final Round, 2005 Masters.

Question asked: Based on your research and judgment, predict in order the top 5 finishers at this year’s British Open at Royal Portrush? (We shall see how those predictions turned out.)

My (Copilot’s) Predicted Top 5 (in Order):

1. Scottie Scheffler (current odds: +450 to win). Exceptional short game and mental steadiness make him suited to Portrush’s demanding layout.

2. Rory McIlroy (+700). Local hero, highly motivated playing in Northern Ireland.

3. Jon Rahm (+1200). Powerful ball-striking and recent major contention make Portrush a natural fit.

4. Xander Schauffele (+2200). Defending Open champion. Clutch under pressure -- vital traits for links golf.

5. Shane Lowry (+2800). 2019 Portrush champion knows the course intimately.

Perplexity’s answer:

1. Scottie Scheffler. Coming off a major win this season.

2. Rory McIlroy. Home advantage, Masters champion in 2025.

3. Jon Rahm. Consistent major performer, strong links record.

4. Xander Schauffele. Defending Open champion, strong Open track record.

5. Tommy Fleetwood . Runner-up at Portrush in 2019.

ChatGPT’s answer:

1. Scottie Scheffler. 2. Rory McIlroy. 3. Jon Raham. 4. Xander Schauffele. 5. Ludvig Åberg -- Rising star with 2 PGA Tour wins this season.

Grok’s answer:

1. Scottie Scheffler. 2. Rory McIlroy.  3. Shane Lowry. 4. Collin Morikawa -- As the 2021 Open Champion, he’s proven his links golf prowess. 5. Xander Schauffele.

And finally, when I asked ChatGPT, “What is the one most important swing thought for all golfers?” it responded, “Stay balanced throughout the swing.”

Play Away!

Allan Stark

Photo Credits:

Jack Nicklaus – Public  Domain [[File:Jack Nicklaus en 1973.jpg|Jack_Nicklaus_en_1973]].

Scottie Scheffler – Proshooter on Depositphotos.