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There’s a different kind of smoke hovering over the fairways this 4/20, and it’s not coming from the gallery. It’s coming from a cultural shift, a recalibration of what golf looks like, feels like, and represents. At the center of that shift stands Jacob Golliday, the man the culture crowned the “Jesus of Golf.” Not because he asked for it, but because he earned it. Through grit, presence, and an unapologetic commitment to both his craft and the plant, Golliday has become a symbol of golf’s next chapter: freer, louder, and undeniably elevated.

Golliday’s journey didn’t begin on manicured greens; it started on the baseball diamond, where promise was cut short by injury. What followed wasn’t a fallback plan; it was a reinvention. A move to Humboldt placed him at the epicentre of cannabis culture, where he sharpened not just his swing, but his perspective. Over the past five years, he’s built a reputation as one of the most electrifying figures in long-drive golf. From brand partnerships with PAX, Malbon, and Canna Dips, to appearances across amateur and pro circuits, Golliday hasn’t just participated, he’s influenced. He’s helped normalize cannabis in a sport long rooted in tradition, becoming a North American face of the canna-golf movement and an OG voice advocating for athletes who choose plant-based recovery and mental clarity.

Golf is no longer just country clubs and quiet claps. Music, fashion, and cannabis are reshaping the edges of the sport, and Jacob Golliday is playing right down the middle of that fairway. What was once taboo is now a talking point. This Fore-Twenty moment isn’t about forcing cannabis into golf; it’s about recognizing that it’s already here. Golliday represents that evolution, not as an outlier, but as a leader who stayed ten toes down when it wasn’t easy, when partnerships were scarce, and when stigma still lingered heavy.

Today, the game is catching up to where he’s been all along.

Jai Morzaria:

From the baseball diamond to launching drives that break records—what was the moment you realized you were meant for this unconventional path?

Jacob Golliday:

“I don’t know if I was ever meant for the unconventional path. It’s been fun to mess around with and have a little success. I’ve enjoyed being able to dip my toes in a little bit of everything, from influencer campaigns to model work, long drive competitions, amateur events and even a few pro events. It’s been fun to dabble in each segment. I’m grateful for the opportunities and the connections made.”

Jai Morzaria:

When did it ultimately click that this was what you were destined to do?

Jacob Golliday:

“I don’t know if it’s ever clicked, but it’s been fun to ride the path and see where the road takes you.”

Jai Morzaria:

“Jesus of Golf” is back in a new era—Big life changes—shaving the beard, fatherhood, and evolving as an athlete. How have these milestones sharpened your game and perspective?

Jacob Golliday:

“The two biggest changes about fatherhood are that you learn patience and lose selfishness.

(Chuckles) I just decided to change it up and have some fun with it and shock the world. If it didn’t shock the world, it definitely shocked me, and the baby. It was 10 years with a beard, and the next moment, I’m back to a baby face. It definitely shocked me more than the newborn. Wifey was a little shocked, but it was cool, and it led to a good showing at the Long Drive World Championships last year, so I can’t complain. ”

Jai Morzaria:

Are you a superstitious guy? Will the clean-shaven approach paired with braids make an appearance later this year?

Jacob Golliday:

“(Chuckles), We’ll see, you’ll just have to follow the socials to find out.”

Jai Morzaria:

Before unleashing one of your monster drives, what’s going through your head, and how do you lock in that zone?

Jacob Golliday:

“It’s just self-belief. When I compete, I get into a different mode. I’m focused and locked in. The other part is self-trust. I practice every day, so when I’m in a tournament, I’m not worried about anything but winning…”

Jai Morzaria:

You hear self-belief, self-trust, and it’s hard not to think about the late great Kobe Bryant. How important is practice to you?

Jacob Golliday:

“It’s the key to success. Golf is a game of angles, and you have to work on your mechanics if you want to have success. Like any game, Golf requires a lot of practice and patience. Look at Tiger, Rory and the other top athletes in golf today. They grew up with a club in their hand, and still to this day, regardless of the number of tournaments they have won or championships they have to their name, they are always out there practicing, improving their game. It’s a big part of professional sports, and if you want to become the best, it’s simple: put the work in and train hard.”

Jai Morzaria:

Cannabis has been part of your DNA from day one. How has your relationship with it evolved, and what role does it play in your performance now?

Jacob Golliday:

“I don’t know if it’s evolved. I’d say it’s the same. I love it just as much as I loved golf when I first started.  The evolution is definitely the maturity. Understanding the business and industry side of the plant has been an eye-opening experience. It’s more than just trimming or smoking the plant. I’m using my platform to create an impact on and off the green. It’s been super awesome to lead the charge in golf and spark normalcy through conversation. It’s fun to work with a lot of these brands and to mingle golf and cannabis together. It’s always been a dream of mine to see the two worlds collide, and it’s nice to know that I’ve had a small hand in bridging the gap.”

Jai Morzaria:

Golf has historically been conservative, but you’ve infused it with streetwear, music, and cannabis culture. Do you think the sport is catching up, or are you still setting the pace?

Jacob Golliday:

“I don’t want to say setting pace. We are definitely trying to stay ahead of the curve. Personally, I like to stay ahead and find new creative ways to shift the approach to golf. Whether it’s getting a win at a tournament, doing a creative shoot for Gleezy Dog, Dormie Network or Malbon, I’m always trying to push the envelope and work with brands that mirror my ethos.”

Jai Morzaria:

DJ Khaled is blending music and golf in a big way, bringing artists and culture onto the course. As a professional long driver, what’s it like to see golf intersect with music like this, and how does it make you think about the future of the sport?

Jacob Golliday:

“I think it’s all great growth, and it’s fun to see people want to be part of the game. The more that they’re a part of the game, the more they’re going to have that understanding and appreciation for what PGA pros go through. These events provide an opportunity to showcase golf’s history, highlight past and present players, and work towards a more inclusive future.”

Jai Morzaria:

You’ve partnered with brands like Canna Dips, Lunch Box, PAX, Par Brand, Malbon, and Gleezy Hot Dogs. What separates a real partnership from just another logo on the sleeve?

Jacob Golliday:

“I actually think they are both very similar. At least for me, the majority of partnerships have evolved to the logo on the sleeve. I don’t think it’s a bad thing; it’s just the nature of the business.

When I partner with a brand, I prefer a family approach. I like getting involved.  I’ve got an incredible network. I like being able to tap in and make magic happen. As a seasoned vet, partnerships can be hit or miss; the most important thing is to define your expectations and ensure you maximize every opportunity.”

Jai Morzaria:

Is there a non-negotiable when speaking to partners?

Jacob Golliday:

(Chuckles) A haircut, hahaha.

Jai Morzaria:

You’ve been aligned with Malbon Golf since its earlier cultural rise, watching it move from niche disruptor to global force. What has it meant to grow alongside a brand reshaping golf fashion worldwide?

Jacob Golliday:

“It’s been amazing. They’ve done all the work. I’ve just been a model who has popped in here and there. It’s been fun to use my image. I give them mad props, and I’m super grateful for all the opportunities they’ve provided me. It’s been super fun. To watch them take over the international market and make this huge impact in the U S, it’s been crazy. 

Mr. Steven always had the dream, and he’s pulled it out. Their whole team works day and night, and probably harder than anyone in the industry. It’s the reason they can pull things out that no one thinks is even possible.”

Jai Morzaria:

The game is evolving fast — LIV Golf, TGL, Tiger Woods’ tournaments — which changes excite you, and which make you pause and want to smoke a blunt?

Jacob Golliday:

“(Chuckles) They all make me want to take a pause and smoke a blunt. Professional Golf is my game; it’s what I wake up for. If I’m picking one, it’s LIV Golf; there’s nothing better than the competition on eighteen.”

Jai Morzaria:

Are there rising players or trends in golf that you’re watching closely, and why do they matter for the future of the sport?

Jacob Golliday:

“Jackson Koivun. To be honest, all the youth coming up today are just so good at the game. They all go low, hit it far and keep getting better. It’s crazy to watch them hit a golf ball. They have no fear and come out shooting 64. Every kid has their own style and their own flavour. It’s been fun to watch.

Jai Morzaria:

Looking back at this chapter of your career, what do you hope fans, peers, and the culture remember most: the drives, the energy you’ve brought, or the conversations you’ve started?

Jacob Golliday:

“I think the conversations I’ve started would make me happier than the other two. But all are fun. I mean, if I were to win a US AM, I would probably say winning the US AM outweighs any of them. (Chuckles)

But, looking back, it’s the conversations I started and the people involved with them. It’s been fun, and hopefully I can continue to play a small role in shaping the evolution of golf and cannabis over the next ten-twenty years.”

On a day like 4/20, it’s easy to celebrate the plant. But stories like Jacob Golliday’s remind us why the celebration matters. This isn’t just about cannabis; it’s about courage, identity, and evolution. It’s about an athlete who stood firm in his truth before it was commercially viable, who built bridges between fairways and flowers, and who continues to move the culture forward with every swing.

Fore-Twenty isn’t a moment; it’s a movement. And Jacob Golliday? He’s not just part of it.

He helped build it.