Established golf institutions and YouTube content creators have been locked in a silent battle for years now. Traditional golf media continues to lose younger viewers while YouTube golf channels amass millions of subscribers. The sport’s power brokers have largely dismissed this shift as mere entertainment rather than “real golf.” Yet, behind the scenes, the landscape is changing faster than anyone predicted.

Some of golf’s biggest stars are quietly embracing the YouTube revolution despite public criticism from their peers. They’re discovering that these platforms offer something the structured, corporate world of professional tours often lacks: fun. This unexpected dynamic is creating new partnerships that are reshaping how fans engage with the sport.

Phil Mickelson finds new joy through YouTube golf

Phil Mickelson isn’t just participating in YouTube golf content—he’s crediting it with bringing enjoyment back to his career. The six-time major champion recently gave an unexpected nod to YouTube star Grant Horvat during a press conference at LIV Golf Miami. “He introduced me to the YouTube world, it’s allowed me to do the things that I enjoy, so maybe I don’t have to do corporate outings, but what I can do is the YouTube events because I really enjoy those,” Mickelson shared candidly.

This revelation comes as Phil Mickelson has fully embraced digital content creation in 2025. His YouTube channel has already accumulated over 205,000 subscribers since its January launch. The channel features three main components: a 2v2 match series with Horvat, instructional content filmed at his home facility, and interviews with high-profile figures across sports and business.

The partnership between Mickelson and Horvat goes beyond mere content creation. “We really play off each other well. Because he drives it so straight, it allows me to take some risks in our matches, which is really fun,” Mickelson explained. Their contrasting personalities have created a compelling dynamic that resonates with viewers. “He is the nicest guy. I tend to be a little spicier. So the sugar and spice, we tend to mix well,” Mickelson added with his characteristic charm.

The duo recently announced an exciting new 2v2 series launching this January. In a promotional video, they playfully took jabs at Rory McIlroy and Wesley Bryan, suggesting that McIlroy is their “favorite golfer” with a touch of sarcasm. This isn’t surprising given McIlroy‘s past criticism of YouTube golf and his ongoing rivalry with Phil Mickelson regarding LIV Golf.

Wesley Bryan, a PGA Tour pro who also creates content, was named their “least favorite golfer” in the teaser. Bryan responded to the challenge on X (formerly Twitter), warning: “You’re going to regret starting this series.” This entertaining back-and-forth highlights how YouTube is blurring the lines between competition and entertainment in golf.

Mickelson’s embrace of YouTube golf represents a significant shift in how established pros view content creation, but it’s part of a much larger revolution happening across the sport.

How YouTube is transforming the entire golf industry

YouTube has completely revolutionized golf content consumption, with recent statistics showing that golf-related videos garnered 4.3 billion views in just 90 days, dwarfing many televised tournaments. Top creators earn impressive monthly revenues while attracting major equipment manufacturers as partners.

Content pioneers like Rick Shiels, with 2.93 million subscribers, and the Good Good Collective have established a new ecosystem that consistently outperforms the PGA Tour’s official channel in viewership and engagement. Their success demonstrates the shift in audience preferences toward more authentic, personality-driven content.

This digital revolution extends beyond YouTube to platforms like TikTok, where hashtags like #GolfTok accumulated 18 billion views in 2024, and Instagram, where professionals now dedicate significant time to building their brands. As golf stands at this crucial intersection of tradition and innovation, one question remains: Will the sport fully embrace this digital revolution or continue resisting it?

For established pros like Phil Mickelson, YouTube offers a new avenue for engagement and enjoyment beyond traditional competition. What do you think about pros like Mickelson embracing YouTube golf? Let us know in the comments section below!