Charley Hull, a two-time LPGA winner, recently admitted she has largely stopped watching golf due to frustration with the sport’s relentless focus on power. Speaking ahead of the AIG Women’s Open, Hull expressed how the game’s emphasis on hitting long, straight shots has drained the artistry she once admired, making viewing feel more like watching technology than technique.

Instead of embracing contemporary broadcasts dominated by distance measurements and big hitters, Hull finds herself drawn to historical highlights, such as those from The Open in the 1970s, where shot-making creativity was more apparent. She believes that the ongoing power revolution has diminished golf’s character and soul.

The Shift from Skillful Shot-Making to Raw Power

Hull described golf in the 1990s and early 2000s as a craft built on precision and control, where players relied on shaping shots and using subtle angles instead of sheer force. She pointed out that today the technological advances in equipment and training have enabled nearly all players to hit long, straight drives, reducing the tactical challenge and nuance that once defined the game.

Nowadays everyone can just hit it straight and far,

she said, highlighting how the focus on power overshadows finesse.

I think golf back 20, 30 years ago, say 19–up to like 2000s, it was more of an art,

Hull explained.

The players, even then men, would have to hit draws and fades and stuff it in, where I think now it’s become more of a power game and where it’s become–the technology has advanced so much everyone can just hit it straight and far, and it’s kind of taking the art away from it.

Hull also expressed doubt about the sport’s future if power remains the primary spectacle, noting early discussions around a ball rollback suggest even players are feeling fatigued by the current trajectory. Many pros have debated whether golf has favored big hitters too much at the expense of course strategy, but Hull stands out for her blunt critique.

Hull’s Unique Approach to Training and Mindset

Hull’s frustration with modern golf extends beyond watching the sport—it influences how she prepares herself. Rejecting traditional golf training, she focuses instead on overall fitness and mental resilience. She described her gym routines as a hobby to improve her endurance, such as lowering her 5K time, rather than training solely for better golf performance.

This approach mirrors her independent and unconventional personality, known for challenging norms both on and off the course. Throughout her career, Hull has made headlines for unapologetic acts like smoking during rounds to protest conformity and deliberately ignoring yardage books, emphasizing her identity as an athlete rather than a technician.

Recovering From a Health Scare While Looking Ahead

Hull recently faced a serious health challenge when she collapsed during the Evian Championship after suffering a severe viral illness. She fainted twice mid-round as her vision and hearing temporarily failed, requiring intervention from security staff. Despite being one under par after 12 holes, she was forced to withdraw.

Her recovery process has been slow, and Hull admits she currently feels only about 80 percent recovered. Doctors have advised her to rest and avoid training to allow her immune system to recover fully, though Hull finds extended inactivity difficult. Nevertheless, with the AIG Women’s Open and the Scottish Open upcoming, she remains committed to returning at full strength for major competitions.

Still Committed to Competing Despite Disengagement from Watching

Although Hull no longer follows modern golf broadcasts closely, her passion for competing at the highest level remains strong. She clarified that her frustration with televised golf results from a disconnect between the game’s true essence and what is presented to viewers. While fans often focus on distance metrics and power numbers, Hull worries the essence of skilled shot-making is fading.

Her ultimate goal stays unchanged: to see her name engraved on a major championship trophy. She emphasized that seeking fame is not her motivation; rather, she aspires to achieve true greatness in the sport despite the ongoing evolution that contrasts with her values.