In an era where social media influencers are more prominent than ever, players – of all levels and skills – constantly looking for ways to improve their game.
A new wave of YouTubers currently bridges that gap between amateur and professional golf, but how good are these influencing players and can they ever mix with him with PGA Tour professionals?
PGA Tour has put in that market by launching Creator Classic series, a series of long seasonal events that feature favorite YouTube fan players and some of the biggest sports creators.
We take a closer look at the player’s raising on YouTube, the levels they have reached and what can mean for the professional game that goes ahead…
Increased ‘Influencer Golf’ Golf
YouTube previously was home to a limited number of ‘golf influenzers’, with Rick Shiels and Peter Finch among the money that made their names with content on that platform.
These creators bring about a relevant touch for the game and a different approach to content, ranging from challenges series and rogue shots to valuable viral videos to a younger audience, spared by social media.
At a time when viewing traditional shift figures is declining in many parts of the world, despite more golf -playing people than ever before, content creators are helping to increase golf in ways not seen before.
Bryan Bros, Fat Perez from Bob Do Sports, Gabby Golf Girl, Roger Stele, Grant Horvat, Kyle Berkshire, Tisha Alan and Sory from No Laying will be among those involved in Creator Classic in TPC Sawgrass on March 12.
Have you ever played any in professional events before?
Both Shiels and Finch previously competed in an open qualification to try and secure their open points, where – despite the great expectations and good form they entered – they failed to advance in the final qualification.
Shiels was able to shoot only one 81 on the Caldy Golf Club and Finch reached an 83 in Hesketh, leaving a long way from the required results, though the results may suggest that they were not ready to compete at that level.
Bryan Bros have both played in PGA Tour, including together, though Wesley Bryan – a former winner at RBC Heritage 2017 – has not maintained full status since 2022, but is currently within 250 in the world.
Wesley defeated Bryson Dechambeau’s likes and Shane Lowry – who both won big titles – for victory that week at Hilton Head. Who knows, can we see him enjoy more success in PGA Tour in the years ahead?
To whom else is it worth knowing?
America is a group of a group called Good Good, who have 1.7 million Subscribers on YouTube. The group uploads videos of ridiculous challenges and game matches in the blow against them.
Surely the two best players from the group are Garret Clarke and Brad Dalke, however channel fans would give a special Matt Scharf scream for some of the most prominent holes in one you have ever seen.
Brad Dalke played along with Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson in a practice in front of the 2017 masters
Dalke previously competed in The Masters and US Open after finishing the competitor in the US 2016 amateur, while Clarke regularly shoots the sub-chart rounds on his channel.
An earlier member of Good Good who set out to concentrate his channel is Grant Horvat, who left the group in 2022, but since he left he has created his inheritance in the Golf world.
Horvat movies with some of the best players in the world, with Tiger Woods, Rory Mcilroy and Phil Mickelson only a few on his channel. It is undeniable that Grant is one of the most influential figures in the world of golf online, but this week we will see how good he really is when he participates in Classic Creator.
From the professional game, it is difficult to ignore the growing profile of Dechambeau, as it has created amazing content and playing excellent golf at the same time. Last year’s Open Open winner provided excellent content with ‘Break 50 Episodes’ – displaying John Dary and Donald Trump among his special guests!
Who won the inaugural Classic creator?
Luke Kwon, a member of Good Good before leaving the group to pursue a career in professional Golf and focus on his personal YouTube channel, won last August’s inaugural competition in a play-off.
He plunged a green herd in the green to take home the first title ever, in a year that he also saw him impressed with the good when appearing on the Asian tournament in the Black Mountain Championship.
Kwon scored a 67 without Bogey in Thailand, making five birds to move within three of the superiority, then shot a second round to stay in the quarrel going on the weekend. The fairy tale victory did not materialize, as Kwon ended the week in Tied-65th.
Where and when are the events of the Creator Classic series?
Each repetition of the Creator Classic series presented by YouTube will be broadcast on the Youtube channel of PGA Tour and some other platforms, with the first being shown Live on Sky Sports Golf.
The first takes place on Wednesday 12 March in front of the players, with Classic creator in the Philly Cricket held on May 7 in front of the Truist championship and Classic creator in East Lake, taking place on August 20 before the season championship.
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PGA stars Tour Head to Tpc Sawgrass this week, live on Sky Sports, where Scottie Scheffler follows a three peat, Rory Mcilroy seems to win again and the 17th iconic hole will create more drama!
The first edition will consist of eight hit game holes, with the edition of players starting in the 10th hole and ending at the 17th first iconic stadium.
Content creators are taking on the golf scene and, if they continue to improve, it is possible that we will see a PGA Tour winner in the coming years to come through Youtube. Before then, the Creator Classic series will give us a chance to see them tested in front of the cameras.
Look at the Classic creator at TPC Sawgrass Live on Wednesday from 8am at Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or Broadcasting Without Contract Now.
