(BPT) - Just as maintaining a smooth golf swing or preparing for competitive winter sports requires precision, timing and consistency, proper car care does too. A golfer knows that every detail, from grip to stance, affects performance, much like a skier fine-tunes every movement on the course. Similarly, your car needs that same attention to detail: regular maintenance, the right tires for the season and a bit of polish to keep it in top form. Whether it's a finely waxed race ski, a gleaming car engine or a "pre-shot routine" on your next 18-hole endeavor, performance thrives where maintenance meets passion.
As golf events like Tomorrow's Golf League (TGL) and international winter sports begin new competitions, Hankook Tire's latest Gauge Index Survey takes a fun look at how Americans view the perfect drive.
Winter Driving Deserves Recognition
With international competition top of mind, Americans are weighing in on which driving skills should earn competitive status. Nearly half (44%) of Americans believe driving through snow or ice deserves its own sporting event, given the level of driving precision and requisite ability to navigate inclement weather. Nearly as many Americans (42%) consider parallel parking a worthy driving skill. Much like the biathlon, drivers must be able to glide in smoothly, stop precisely, avoid panicking under pressure and nail the one moment that really counts.
Drivers also want to see tires take on the snow or ice-covered grounds. More than one-quarter of Americans (28%) would want to see a snow-adventure-themed driving event where driver and vehicle compete across a series of winter elements designed to test traction, handling and, of course, speed. One-quarter (25%) of drivers also expressed enthusiasm for a drifting stage, designed to test the limits of car control, where careful throttle or steering inputs on a surface that demands precision and can separate gold-level performance from DNF.
How do everyday drivers compare themselves to the professionals? When it comes to their own competitive abilities, nearly one-fifth of drivers (18%) rate their winter driving skills at an elite level, demonstrating complete confidence in any driving condition. However, the majority (39%) place themselves at a "National Team" level — competent and prepared, but realistic about their limits. Millennial drivers are the most confident, with 22% claiming elite winter driving prowess, compared with just 11% among Boomers.
From the Race Course to the Golf Course
The competitive spirit carries over to the golf course, where driving takes on a different meaning. Most drivers (41%) say their behavior behind the wheel of a golf cart mirrors how they drive a regular car, suggesting that safety-conscious habits often translate from fairways to freeways.
That said, thoughtful "course management" isn't universal, as nearly one-quarter (24%) admit they play a more aggressive game behind the wheel of a golf cart, pushing higher speeds and braking harder than they'd attempt on the road. A smaller population may benefit from an "all-terrain" option on their cart, as 7% of players venture off the paved path in search of their errant shot, only to get their cart stuck in the process.
A sport defined by centuries-old tradition is now embracing a new era of expression: while a quarter (25%) of drivers still favor classic whitewall tires that mirror golf's enduring reverence for heritage, nearly as many (23%) are drawn to bold, colorful options — reflecting the influence of modern, high-energy formats like TGL that invite personalization and a more dynamic on-course experience.
As Hankook Tire serves as the first-ever Official Tire Sponsor and co-Founding Partner of TGL, the Gauge Index Survey findings underscore Americans' desire to see different forms of competition at the highest level. Whether competing on an international race track or advancing to the 18th hole, drivers want tires engineered for performance, safety and reliability, and Hankook is committed to supporting the precision and passion that define American drivers.
