Much like the evolution of plant-based modalities, golf has hit a rapid transformation with new players injecting vibrance, creativity and excitement into the world. As the game progresses, new faces are stepping up to the green, swinging with different strains and pushing the boundaries of traditional, outdated mindsets.
Jacob Golliday, known as the “Jesus of Golf ” is chipping in for a new enhanced, infused experience on the green, toking on Humboldt’s finest cannabis while he competes as a professional long driver. Over five years ago he pioneered the canna-golf movement, sparking a ripple effect and laying a foundation for future generations and avid connoisseurs.
Born an athlete, Jacob had a ferocious appetite to make it to the big leagues as a baseball player. Sidelined by injuries, Golliday pivoted into golf, a sport that was ingrained into his DNA from his mother who taught him how to play at a young age. Known for his big hits at the plate, he was able to transfer his skillset to the green and is excelling in the professional long-drive world.
Today, Jacob’s changing the game of golf, one puff at a time, breaking the stigma, and educating athletes around the globe about the profound effects cannabis has had on his career. Taking names and playing with a green handicap, Golliday is defying outdated mentalities and hitting potent shots with a tour bag filled with the highest-grade trees.
Moving the Sports Cannabis conversation forward, Jacob “Jesus of Golf” Golliday joined Jay Morzaria of Sports Cannabis to take a deep dive into his golf career, long-drive competitions and his cannabis movement.
Jay Morzaria
Jacob, it’s incredible to connect with you today, before we get into cannabis, talk to us about your athletic evolution and how golf came into play?
Jacob “Jesus of Golf” Golliday
“I have a background in college baseball and baseball was my passion. Injuries Freshman and Junior years forced me to end my baseball career. Post-baseball, I was smoking a lot of herb and moved to Humboldt for a few years to learn about the culture of cannabis. Shortly after in 2017, I decided to play golf professionally. I saw the movement of cannabis and saw the movement of golf and realized the two were mingling and decided to combine them, normalize them and provide education on the entire plant. Having an opportunity to be on the course, play golf and smoke grass was when it really registered that the two go hand in hand. After that, I decided it was time to introduce golf to cannabis.”
J M
A lot has changed since 2017, you’ve become the face of golf and cannabis. Talk to us about your focus in 2022 and how you’re moving the Sports Cannabis conversation forward.
Jacob “Jesus of Golf” Golliday
“2022 was a great year for the change in golf. We saw an influx of new personalities coming into the game, and because of that, cannabis was looked at differently. Athletes, tournaments, coaches and courses became a little more open to training and playing with herb last year compared to the past. The cannabis narrative wasn’t openly pushed across the game, but I think the eyes of cannabis were opened up, paving the way for mass plant acceptance and an ability to toke freely without worrying about a course official in your ear. There are still a lot of traditional golf country clubs in the states where it’s illegal, but despite that, people are very accepting of the plant. With that in mind, the focus for me was to definitely push the narrative and change the Sports Cannabis conversation. I’ve been adamant about keeping it in the same context as having a beer on the golf course and ideally we as professional golfers would like a joint to be just as accepted as that one day.”
J M
What role does cannabis play in your life?
Jacob “Jesus of Golf” Golliday
“For me, it used to be in recovery and the benefits it provided me… And it’s still a big part of my focus, however, now it’s about building the community and business. Over the last year I’ve spent a lot of time with people from all walks of life, getting them to experience the culture and sharing my experiences with farmers, cultivators, producers and what the entire seed to plant process is. It’s given others an opportunity to get a better understanding of the plant, the people behind it as well as normalize the experience and I think that’s a cool part.“
J M
2022 was a big moment for cannabis, golf and changing the perception of herb, a plant based modality that’s historically been riddled in contradiction. What was it like to witness the mindset shift and what stuck out to you?
Jacob “Jesus of Golf” Golliday
“I think it was watching the whole movement just progress… Even looking at the first two weeks of this year and the entirety of 2022 compared to past years – it was just a big year for the movement. Athletes from all walks of life have been stepping up to advocate for their beliefs in cannabis and seeing the entire community and the culture embrace the plant has been amazing… Now when I arrive at events or tournaments everyone already knows what’s up, what I advocate for, and what my beliefs are. Instead of having to explain my entire story, I’m really able to showcase the Humboldt herb, educate and move the culture forward with unique, fun and compelling content. It’s been an incredible journey which afforded me the opportunity to partner with Timeless, a cutting-edge lifestyle cannabis company that can be found across five states and is dominating the US landscape. Outside of supporting my career and personal movement with cannabis, they are big believers in the overall Sports Cannabis community, from skateboarding to golf and everything in between. Aligning with them was a big moment that stuck out for me because I found a brand that believed in what I stand for, which is pushing the narrative of how important communities and culture are to the progression of cannabis.“
J M
You’ve mentioned Timeless and Humboldt, which brands are you currently working with and what can we expect from you this year?
Jacob “Jesus of Golf” Golliday
“In golf, there are a lot of brands that are placing value on changing the narrative around athletes and the culture of cannabis. Timeless, a brand I work with and believe in is going to be activating big for the WM Phoenix Open, a huge event where Timeless will have two suites. They will be present at several events in Arizona, specific to the cannabis industry and educating new consumers through collaborations with great brands like Students Golf. They continue to push the envelope in unique creative activations and it’s incredible to see a cannabis brand become so involved with such a big golf tournament and PGA event. They’ll have pop-ups and merch collabs while speaking to the power of cannabis and educating athletes on the benefits of plant life. They’re a brand I truly believe in and I continue to be impressed by their marketing and campaigning. It’s just been awesome to be part of their growth, trying to remove the stigma around cannabis and be part of the changing movement of golf and cannabis.”
J M
2022 has changed the landscape for cannabis athletics and provided an opportunity for mass adoption. In Canada we’ve been watching the industry unfold since 2018, however, in the States, it’s been a bit of a slow roll. Have there been any missed opportunities and what needs to change?
Jacob “Jesus of Golf” Golliday
“Looking forward to the legality of it, federal legalization is always the number one priority. We also need to make sure the taxes and financials behind the industry are done in a fair way and benefit the individuals that are actually selling and producing the plant. I think it’s important from the outset to ensure all parties from the industry have an opportunity to prosper from cannabis; however, that hasn’t been the case for farmers. We’ve seen farms getting shut down left, right and center. It’s great to have this industry, but we still have to figure out how to make it as profitable for everyone and not just a select few…Smaller farms are the ones that are truly driving plant culture forward, intersecting with local communities and providing legacy stories that have created a foundation for us to grow from. I think the biggest hurdle going forward is making sure that these legacy operators and mom-and-pop shops have a voice as powerful as the big corporate brands so that we can collectively change the narrative and break the stigma together. There’s still a lot to figure out but I truly hope and believe 2023’24 will provide a chance of change for these operators and individuals pushing herb forward.“
J M
Looking forward, what can we collectively do to shift the Sports Cannabis narrative and break the stigma?
Jacob “Jesus of Golf” Golliday
“It is on us, the athletic community to break the stigma and that means using our platforms to change the dialogue around plant life, plant healing and normalizing the conversation. We have a real opportunity to lead the charge and make it acceptable as well as show people that there’s more than just THC and CBD to this plant. It’s about providing education so that people can get a better understanding of the endocannabinoid system, teaching the community about the different compounds, and what terpenes are as well as highlighting the non-psychoactive applications. That’s what I’m trying to do with my platform, whether it’s at a tournament, on social media or at an event, I’m bringing education with me… Like I always say, whenever a joint is looked at like a beer, we’re onto something.“
Follow Jacob “Jesus of Golf” Golliday on social media today and join his movement.
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