You’ve probably heard the saying, “Coaches don’t play”—but in golf, even the captain sometimes sits out. Unlike the NHL, hockey, or the NBA, where team leaders lead from the field, the Ryder Cup offers a unique twist. This biennial men’s golf competition, which dates back 98 years, is one of the few major sporting events where captains guide their teams from the sidelines rather than swinging a club themselves.

Today, the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup officially got underway, reigniting the legendary rivalry between the United States and Europe. But along with it also comes the question: Why is this tradition of captains sitting out a huge part of the event’s identity?

The era of playing captains: a look back on the Ryder Cup’s history

In its early years, captains didn’t just lead—they

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