It is hard to envision Rickie Fowler as anything more than the kid in the bright orange outfits, playing with the guile and heart of someone much older. A decade later he’s still all of that—and much more. He’s a proven winner on the PGA Tour, and a player regularly pegged as the best not to have a major under his belt.
On Dec. 13, Fowler turns 30 and with 10 years on the PGA Tour behind him, he’s no longer a kid. Fowler wasn’t sure how he’d celebrate his 30th birthday, especially given his fall travel schedule. It might happen a little bit ahead of the actual date, he told us in Florida at a Cobra F9 launch, “but we’ll make it count.”
We caught up with the four time PGA Tour winner to ask him how he’s preparing to turn 30 and what it’s like to no longer be the new kid on Tour.
What’s the main difference you see in yourself from a decade ago?
I think I’m a bit more knowledgeable. Going on the 10th year of being out here is a cool position to be in, having once been the new guy on the block, and now being a veteran in a kind of way. I think you gain that status when you get into double-digits.
A lot of players helped you when you were breaking in—what’s it like to be able to help young pros out?
To see the young kids coming up now and to be out there and someone they can lean on to help out or answer questions—I love it. I love being able to help out.
What differences have you noticed in your equipment after 10 years of being a Cobra staff player?
The limits were pretty much pushed at that point 10 years ago. Things have gotten fine-tuned, and equipment has gotten just that little bit better. The faces were maxed out in a way in terms of how thin you could get them and how fast you could get them. Now we’re talking about the aerodynamics and Cobra is trying to make the club faster and dialing in things like the CNC-milled face. Those little things. When you look at it and the club gets you one to two miles per hour ball speed, well one mile per hour ball speed is three yards and those add up over time. Those little things here and there absolutely help.
Is golf as good or better than it has ever been?
If you checked egos and weren’t selfish and looked at the depth of golf right now … especially having Tiger back, who is one of the most influential guys in the game. Then there’s the young guys playing well, and the guys in their thirties playing well—I’d argue that it is the deepest it has ever been from the depth. You’re seeing multiple guys in and out of being No. 1 in the world because of how close those top guys are.