Gone are the days when following golf meant watching live coverage on TV or watching replays and highlights on sports channels. Even visiting actual websites isn’t as common as it used to be. Today, to get news, highlights and behind the scenes programs, all you have to do is go to YouTube.
As we all know well by now, algorithms base suggestions on our searches and viewing history. Search for golf and golf ads appear along with golf-related channels on YouTube. Start watching one channel and a host of other channels start appearing.
I have never actively searched for any golf vlogs/channels but through the power of suggestion, have watched hundreds of hours of entertaining, but mostly useless golf vlogs. I am sure I am not alone in this and like any average person sucked into a rabbit hole of YouTube golf channels, a lot of us have subscribed to more and more hours of content. Here are some of my favorites:
1. Random Golf Club (and Adventures in Golf) — Film director Erik Anders Lang travels the world playing amazing courses while promoting golf that is welcoming and inclusive.
2. Rick Shiels — English pro golfer turned his passion into the No. 1 golf channel on YouTube. Rick’s style is casual and light, with topics ranging from challenges, instruction, course reviews, featured professional and celebrity guests.
3. Peter Finch — Similar content and background to Rick Shiels. He and Rick used to do a lot of content together around the UK and the Middle East, but lately, Rick has been spending more time in the United States.
4. Bryan Bros — Brothers Wesley and George Bryan are both professional golfers. Wesley plays on the PGA Tour while George is working on getting his tour card while making golf content.
5. Good Good — A group of young American golf enthusiasts of varying abilities having fun competing, goofing around and playing nice courses. Mostly in their 20s, the group has (had) popular golf vloggers such as Garrett Clark, Grant Horvat, Micah Morris, and more.
6. GM Golf — Channel of Garrett Clark, one of the main members of Good Good.
7. Grant Horvat — A popular golf vlogger, once part of Good Good and GM Golf but decided to focus on his own content.
8. Bob Does Sports — With characters such as Bobby Fairways, Joey Coldcuts and Fat Perez, Bob Does Sports has become the “average Joes” of golf channels. They’re goofy, they drink, they have beer bellies and they’re hilarious. Watching their episodes is like playing a round with a fun and crazy threesome.
9. Skratch — A variety of golf-related content, short features and documentaries targeted towards millennials. This is owned by the PGA Tour but geared to younger audiences.
10. Tour Experience Golf (now rebranded to Club Champion) — Club fitting and club reviews in a studio with a golf simulator.
There are countless other channels. I also like watching past Majors and Ryder Cups. I try to avoid golf instruction channels as it can mess with my game. Watching YouTube golf is probably my way of compensating for not being able to play enough golf.
I currently get to play about one to two rounds per month, which is way, way, way too little. I am more used to playing once or twice a week, but work, kids and family (the wife) now takes priority. Watching golf on my phone or on the TV late at night somehow tides me over until I get to hit the links again.
Looking at how many views and subscribers these golf channels have, I am pretty sure there are millions like me in the same boat, getting their temporary golf fix online.
