Rick Shiels says whether he thinks Bryson DeChambeau’s been good for Youtube golf and explains what’s surprised him

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Having been on YouTube for well over a decade now, there is probably not a lot about the space which really surprises Rick Shiels – even when Bryson DeChambeau collaborates on a video with someone like Donald Trump.

From the outside, it does appear that YouTube golf is going to play a role in defining how the game at the highest level moves forward. Figures on the platform seem to be becoming increasingly popular, just as many fans start to lose interest with the established tours.

But perhaps the best person to assess the state of both professional golf and YouTube golf content is Bryson DeChambeau. Of course, the LIV Golf star is the current US Open champion, while he also 1.6 million subscribers on YouTube – making him one of the biggest golf content creators on the platform.

DeChambeau’s popularity seems to have risen considerably since he started making his own videos. He has given fans access that they are not used to, whether that is filming with some of the biggest names in the country, or taking the camera behind the scenes.

Rick Shiels suggests what has surprised him as he discusses Bryson DeChambeau’s impact on YouTube golf

And speaking on The Rough Cut Golf Podcast, Rick Shiels has suggested that DeChambeau has capitalised on an opportunity and done a brilliant job with it.

“I think Bryson, what he’s done for YouTube golf is amazing. There was always going to be a tour pro that was going to kill it on YouTube, that was inevitable,” he said.

“Again, I’m surprised it took as long as what it did. And I think Bryson needed to take a little bit of time to find his feet, and once he has done, he’s done unbelievably well.”

DeChambeau is not quite alone in the YouTube space

DeChambeau has definitely shown what is possible for players, particularly those who are looking to increase their fanbase. Meanwhile, it is a similar case on the PGA Tour, with plenty of golf fans angry that Wesley Bryan’s course record was barely shown on television at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship last week.

Bryan is 125th on the FedEx Cup standings, but has a huge following on YouTube. So there is a desire to follow his fortunes closely.

It is not possible for everyone. Some probably feel that Bryan’s work on The Bryan Bros YouTube channel has not helped his game on the course a great deal. And if a player is struggling to keep their card, they are unlikely to add running a YouTube channel to their plate too.

But DeChambeau shows the potential that is there when everything clicks. Meanwhile, someone like Bryan goes into the RSM Classic with a better idea of what his future could hold regardless of whether he remains inside the top 125 or not because of his success on YouTube.