The Feed: Brad Dalke and Luke Kwon remind us why we fell in love with YouTube golf if the first place
It’s Friday, and you know what that means: TGIF!! Which of course stands for “Thank goodness it’s The Feed!” As always, we have a fresh sleeve of new videos to blast into the trees, so let’s get to it.
Old School
There’s an argument to be made that YouTube golf has become too ornate. A-list guests (see: LeBron James), seven-digit purses (see: Your Golf Tour) and multi-part “reality series (see: Good Good Survival) have all stretched the format to its fraying point. This is not necessarily a bad thing. YouTube golf now represents the widest part of the golf funnel, where the broadest range of fans enter and engage with the sport, often for the first time. More than any other individual or organization, YouTube golf is actually Growing the Game™. The side effect, however, is that the content many golfers originally connected with—simple, undiluted golf without all the bells and whistles—has becoming an endangered species.
Thankfully, this week we got a reminder just how effective simplicity can be thanks to this throwback match between Brad Dalke and Luke Kwon, two of the best players on the entire platform. Sit back, relax and enjoy the golf (yes, just golf).
Neither Dalke or Kwon are the most extroverted hosts. Dalke, in particular, struggles with the rehearsed stuff, such as intros and voiceovers. But, that’s not why either became popular creators in the first place. They built their audiences on the back of elite play in the space. Dalke is a former national champion with Oklahoma and has tee’d it up in the Masters. Luke Kwon is PGA Tour China winner and still competes professionally. Dalke admits his game is not in good shape for this match against his fellow Sooner, but admittedly, watching a good player search can be just as entertaining and enlightening as watching them stick iron after iron hole high. Such is the case here.
In the end, that’s why this one takes the pole position this week. Not because it’s the slickest or flashiest or highest stakes, but because it’s good clean golf from two of the best guys currently doing it (on YouTube). In a digital space that is growing up before our very eyes—too quickly for the tastes of some—videos like this are a welcome reminder of why we fell in love with YouTube golf in the first place.
Quick Hits
Bob Does Sports
Since we’re on the subject of “blowing up,” Bob Does Sports crossed a remarkable milestone this week, logging their 18th straight video over a million views. That’s pretty wild to think about, and with a big-time showdown against Fore Play (now feat. Kevin Kisner) having gone live on Thursday, we fully expect that streak to climb to 19 before all is said and done.
TaylorMade Golf
Scottie Scheffler! Nelly Korda! Johnson Wagner! Puns! There’s plenty to like about TaylorMade’s new showdown ‘Iron Scheff’, which kicks off with an iron (obviously) battle between Scottie Scheffler (duh) and Nelly Korda. First of all, if you’re an ‘Iron Chef’ fan, you’re going to love the references. But even if you’re not, the concept of a competition series where elite players have to execute specific shot types and shapes—in this case draws—gives the age-old closest-to-the-pin contest a fun new wrinkle. We remain skeptical of big brands trying to horn in on the golf YouTube space, but if the content is solid, who are we to gatekeep?
Bryson DeChambeau
There’s lots of stuff going on in LIV land at the moment, but that’s not stopping Bryson DeChambeau from launching a new 2v2 summer series which will pit him and Garrett Clark against superstar celebrities against average Joes like you and me. Everybody loves a David vs. Goliath story, right?
Peter Finch
Calling all fans of British accents! This week Peter Finch takes on all-time Ryder Cup agitator Ian Poulter in a fun match-play battle. ‘Bridgerton’ it ain’t … but that’s probably for the best.
Bryan Bros
If you caught episode one of the “All-Pro Tournament” between the Bryan Bros, Grant Horvat and Jason Day’s The Lads last week, make sure to tune in for round two at [drumroll please] TPC Sawgrass. Considering Day shot episode one the day after the Players, our money is on the Aussie’s team as he returns to the Pete Dye masterpiece.
The Lads
And if you watch episode two, then you definitely have to tune in for the finale, which also goes down at TPC Sawgrass. Ultimately, this is all for bragging rights, but with the Horvat-Bryan Bros-Your Golf Tour in the offing, pretty soon it will be for a million big ones.
Good Good Golf
Speaking of finales and money, Good Good wraps up their five-part Survival series with the ‘Good Good Survival’ major. Check it out and see who bogeys their way off the island.