List of Golfers Who Use Cannabis

• The golf world is experiencing a cannabis evolution – From suspensions in 2019 to brand launches in 2024, professional golf’s relationship with cannabis is transforming rapidly
• CBD dominates the conversation – Most professional golfers publicly endorse CBD products for recovery and wellness rather than THC-containing cannabis
• Medical necessity drives THC use – Golfers like Matt Every and Robert Garrigus used cannabis under medical prescriptions despite PGA Tour policy restrictions
• Anonymous data reveals widespread acceptance – A 2019 survey showed 60% of PGA Tour players support marijuana legalization and 1 in 5 admitted recent use
• Business opportunities are emerging – Golf legends like John Daly are launching cannabis brands, signaling mainstream acceptance
• Policy lags behind player sentiment – Despite majority support for legalization among players, the PGA Tour maintains strict anti-doping policies aligned with WADA

Matt Every stands as the most outspoken critic of the PGA Tour’s cannabis policy, having received two separate 12-week suspensions for cannabis violations. The two-time Arnold Palmer Invitational champion (2014, 2015) uses medical marijuana prescribed in Florida for a mental health condition.

Key details about Every’s advocacy:

• Career impact: Despite over $10.2 million in career earnings, his advocacy highlights the conflict between medical necessity and sporting regulations
• Therapeutic Use Exemption denied: Every says he applied for a TUE, but it was not granted, which he believes is partly because cannabis isn’t FDA-approved
• Public stance on policy: “You could fail for heroin and marijuana and the penalty is the same. If anyone wants to make the argument that that is performance enhancing, they have never done it before. I promise it’s not”
• Medical justification: “Anxiety is a real thing and … I know I treat it the healthiest way possible for my body”
• Career vs. health dilemma: The PGA Tour’s zero-tolerance policy forces him to choose between his health and his career

Robert Garrigus made history in March 2019 as the first PGA Tour player publicly suspended for marijuana use under the modern drug policy. His 12-week suspension came despite using cannabis under a medical prescription for back and knee pain.

Garrigus’s cannabis journey:

• Revealing admissions: “Oh yeah, there were plenty of guys on the Nationwide Tour who smoked in the middle of the round. We always talked about it. You could go in the Porta John and take your drags”
• Addiction struggles: Admitted to smoking marijuana “five, 10, maybe 20 times a day” in the early 2000s
• Recovery and success: Completed a 45-day rehab stint in 2003, later achieving PGA Tour success
• Policy reform efforts: Has met with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan to discuss policy changes
• Medical use: Used cannabis under prescription for legitimate back and knee pain management

John Daly launched his HYMAN Cannabis line in August 2024, becoming one of the first major golf champions to create his own cannabis product line. The two-time major winner (1991 PGA Championship, 1995 Open Championship) has long been vocal about cannabis, even endorsing Arkansas’s cannabis legalization ballot measure in 2022.

Daly’s cannabis business venture:

• Brand philosophy: “I’ve always lived my life out loud and on my own terms. Launching this cannabis line with HYMAN Cannabis feels like a natural next step for me”
• Business partners: Supported by partners including Weedmaps and Dutchie, signaling mainstream acceptance
• Political advocacy: Publicly endorsed Arkansas’s cannabis legalization ballot measure in 2022
• Industry significance: One of the first major golf champions to launch his own cannabis product line
• Product mission: “I’m thrilled to share these products with my fans and to bring a bit of my own flavor to the cannabis world”

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Billy Horschel’s approach to cannabis represents the new generation of golfers: analytical, performance-focused, and business-savvy. The FedEx Cup champion became an investor in BEAM CBD alongside Danica Patrick, but his adoption was driven by measurable performance data rather than just endorsement opportunities.

Horschel’s CBD performance data:

• Dramatic improvement: Zero top-8 finishes in six months before CBD use, followed by four top-8 finishes in just four months after adoption
• Sleep issues: “I didn’t get enough sleep and my body didn’t recover very well. I’ve always survived on five hours and I thought I could perform on five hours of sleep”
• Recovery insights: “The data showed my body wasn’t recovering from that so I needed to try to get more sleep and that was hard because I toss and turn a lot”
• BEAM’s Dream product: Allows him to achieve consistent, quality sleep regardless of travel location
• Performance correlation: Better sleep translated directly to improved mood and more consistent performance

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Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson’s CBD adoption was inspired by Phil Mickelson’s success into his late 40s. Watson partnered with cbdMD despite potential career risks, recognizing that CBD could extend his competitive window and improve his quality of life with his children.

Watson’s longevity-focused approach:

• Inspiration from Mickelson: “I see Phil Mickelson winning at 48, so I’ve got at least eight more years of having a shot of winning some tournaments”
• Dual benefits: “For me it was about how I create longevity in the game of golf and spending time with my kids running around”
• Natural fit: “CBD was easily a fit for me” despite potential career risks
• Legitimacy factor: His endorsement brings significant credibility to CBD use in professional golf
• Recovery philosophy: Represents a shift in how professional athletes view their bodies and recovery strategies

Phil Mickelson, with six major championships to his name, was photographed using CBD drops during the 2019 Masters tournament. His success into his 50s (winning the 2021 PGA Championship at age 50) has inspired other golfers like Bubba Watson to explore CBD for longevity.

Mickelson’s quiet CBD integration:

• Public adoption: Used CBD drops during the 2019 Masters, normalizing cannabis-adjacent products
• Historic achievement: Won the 2021 PGA Championship at age 50, demonstrating longevity benefits
• Low-profile approach: Hasn’t been as vocal as other golfers but actions speak loudly
• Influence on peers: His success inspired golfers like Bubba Watson to explore CBD
• Wellness integration: Represents quiet integration of wellness products into elite competitive routines

Rickie Fowler has partnered with Level Select CBD, positioning himself as an advocate for natural alternatives to prescription painkillers. The 2015 Players Championship winner emphasizes CBD’s role in his athletic routine as a safer option compared to high-risk pharmaceuticals.

Fowler’s natural wellness philosophy:

• Prevention focus: “I think this is just the start of it. There’s a lot of great benefits of not having to resort to pills or painkillers” Business Insider
• Natural approach: “This is something that is natural and a lot easier on the body as far as not having to break down anything”
• Daily integration: Views CBD as essential part of modern athletic preparation rather than occasional supplementation
• Generational shift: Represents younger golfers who integrate wellness products into daily routines
• Holistic health: Reflects broader trends in professional sports toward holistic health approaches

Scott McCarron, a Schwab Cup winner on the PGA Tour Champions, has been using CBD for nearly two years as of 2019, making him one of the earliest adopters among professional golfers. His vocal advocacy distinguishes him among Champions Tour players.

McCarron’s pharmaceutical comparison:

• Vocal criticism: “Ambien, Xanax, any of those drugs are so bad for you. Why not promote it?”
• Tour advocacy: “I wish the tour would be a little more behind it”
• Early adoption: One of the first professional golfers to publicly use CBD (nearly two years by 2019)
• Champions Tour trend: Represents older players using CBD for longevity and recovery
• Freedom to advocate: Champions Tour players have more freedom than younger PGA Tour players to speak openly

A 2019 Golf.com survey of 52 PGA Tour players at the Safeway Open revealed surprising insights about cannabis use in professional golf. The anonymous nature of the survey allowed players to speak candidly without career repercussions.

Survey results reveal widespread acceptance:

• Majority support: 60% of players said the PGA Tour should permit marijuana use
• Recent usage: 1 in 5 (20%) admitted to smoking marijuana or ingesting THC edibles within the past year
• Testing frequency: 70% of players reported being tested three or more times during the 2018-19 season
• Anonymous quote: “They should add nicotine [to banned list if marijuana stays]”
• Policy disconnect: Significant gap between official PGA Tour policy and actual player sentiment

U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover represents the quieter adoption of CBD among major winners. While he hasn’t been as vocal as other golfers about his CBD use, he’s been mentioned alongside Bubba Watson and Scott McCarron as a professional golfer incorporating CBD into his routine.

Glover’s private wellness approach:

• Limited public discussion: Reflects common approach among golfers who benefit but keep wellness routines private
• Major championship success: 2009 U.S. Open victory demonstrates CBD doesn’t interfere with peak performance
• Private routine: Prefers to keep his wellness and recovery routines out of public discussion
• Peer group: Mentioned alongside Watson and McCarron as CBD adopters
• Performance evidence: Shows CBD use compatible with highest levels of competitive golf

The relationship between professional golf and cannabis is clearly evolving. The shift from suspensions in 2019 to business ventures in 2022 demonstrates growing acceptance and normalization. While the PGA Tour maintains its anti-doping policy aligned with WADA guidelines, player sentiment increasingly supports legalization.

The distinction between CBD (legal since WADA removed it from the banned list in 2018) and THC (still banned) remains crucial for professional golfers navigating this landscape. Most golfers publicly endorse CBD products for recovery, sleep, and inflammation relief, avoiding the career risks associated with THC use.

For cannabis enthusiasts interested in staying updated on industry trends and policy changes, Herb’s newsletters provide regular updates on cannabis news, products, and cultural developments. As the golf world continues to evolve its relationship with cannabis, these resources help consumers stay informed about the broader cultural shifts happening across professional sports.