At least briefly in the U.S. over the weekend, TikTok was no more. That includes GOLF’s own TikTok account (which you can find here). While people have mixed feelings about the ban, one popular pro doesn’t just support it, she thinks it doesn’t go far enough.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to stop a bipartisan law banning TikTok in the U.S. On Saturday, January 18, the ban went into effect, with TikTok suddenly inaccessible to users in the U.S.
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The ban is controversial, with supporters arguing it is a national security risk, and avid users up in arms over the loss of their favorite app.
Incoming President Donald Trump then announced that he would move to delay the ban. On Sunday TikTok responded on X stating that they had begun restoring service.
But just before TikTok was banned (and then un-banned), LPGA star Charley Hull addressed her army of Instagram followers. After acknowledging the ban, she suggested society should now go “old school,” “ban all social media” and go back to using non-smart cell phones.
“TikTok is being banned, to be honest I think we should all be going back to old school,” Hull wrote, “ban all social media go back to a Nokia phone and live life in the moment.”
But why does Hull think we’d be better off by banning all social media?
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“Guarantee the whole world would be a happier and healthier place,” Hull said to close out the story.
For the record, Hull’s Instagram follower count stands at an impressive 712,000. Her fame grew significantly in recent years, in no small part due to viral social media moments.
Most golf fans remember the viral firestorm over Hull’s cigarette smoking habit on the course.
Golf and social media
Golf as a whole has a mixed relationship with social media and the smartphones people use to access them. Augusta National still does not allow cell phones on the premises during Masters week. The same is true at many private clubs.
However, recreational golfers increasingly depend on cell phones for things like yardages. And the golf sphere on social media is growing exponentially.
The PGA Tour now embraces cell phones and social media. A sea of phones capture every big tournament moment, with fans blanketing social channel with photos and videos afterward.
In addition, new-look golf leagues like TGL and LIV Golf have put an emphasis on social media marketing and coverage. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has become just the latest golf YouTube star.
Whatever ends up happening with the TikTok ban in the U.S., golf and social media’s growing relationship doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon.
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