Knockout golf influencer just dropped one bombshell that could change the sport forever

Jul 4, 2025

Golf’s old guard thought they had their sport locked down.

These gray-haired traditionalists figured young influencers were just a passing fad.

But a Knockout golf influencer just dropped one bombshell that could change the sport forever.

Good Good Golf crashes Golf Channel with massive TV deal

The golf establishment is getting a brutal wake-up call courtesy of the Good Good Golf crew.

These YouTube stars just landed something that most "real" golfers can only dream about – primetime coverage on Golf Channel.

The Good Good GolfNow Desert Knockout aired live on national television, proving that social media influencers aren’t just playing around anymore.

With over 1.7 million YouTube subscribers, the Good Good gang has built an empire that makes traditional golf media look ancient.

CEO Matt Kendrick didn’t mince words when he described their mission: "We look at ourselves as golf entertainment. We’re not trying to say we’re the best golfers."¹

That humble statement just makes their success even more devastating to the golf snobs who can’t stand that these "kids" are taking over their precious sport.

The knockout format they created is pure genius – teams face off in a scramble format, with the worst score getting eliminated until only one squad survives.

It’s basically Survivor meets golf, and traditional players hate that it’s actually entertaining.

Golf Channel VP Glenn Grimshaw admitted the obvious: "The Good Good guys create fun, engaging golf content that connects with their young audience."²

Translation: these influencers figured out how to make golf fun while the old-timers were busy complaining about dress codes.

Traditional golf gets humiliated by YouTube stars

Here’s what’s really eating at golf’s establishment – Good Good didn’t just stumble into this success.

They systematically built a multimedia empire that includes branded apparel, live events, and now major television partnerships.

The crew features stars like Garrett Clark, Matt Scharff, and Brad Dalke, who’ve turned trick shots and course challenges into a business that puts most professional golfers to shame.

Their Desert Knockout event featured celebrities like eSports legend Nadeshot and comedian Andrew Santino alongside the Good Good regulars.

Even Golf Channel’s own viral sensation Johnson Wagner got in on the action, which shows just how desperate traditional golf media is to stay relevant.

The event took place under the lights at Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe, Arizona, creating the kind of atmosphere that makes stuffy country club tournaments look like funeral services.

Good Good started coverage on their YouTube channel before transitioning exclusively to Golf Channel in primetime – a power move that shows they’re calling the shots now.

Kendrick explained their strategy perfectly: "It’s easier to go find that audience where they’re already watching golf on Golf Channel."¹

These guys are basically saying they’ll bring their millions of young fans to traditional golf, but they’re doing it on their terms.

Golf establishment panics as influencers take control

The success of the Good Good Desert Knockout is sending shockwaves through golf’s traditional power structure.

This wasn’t some fluke or one-time experiment – Golf Channel is expanding their partnership with Good Good throughout 2025 with multiple events planned.

That means the influencers aren’t just getting a seat at the table; they’re redesigning the whole dining room.

Professional golfers who spent decades grinding on mini-tours are watching YouTube stars get better TV coverage than most PGA Tour events.

The knockout format proved that golf doesn’t have to be boring, and that’s a terrifying realization for people who’ve made careers out of three-hour snoozefests.

Good Good’s approach strips away all the pretentious nonsense that makes golf feel exclusive and intimidating to regular people.

They’re showing up in casual clothes, cracking jokes, and actually having fun while playing – revolutionary concepts in traditional golf circles.

The crew has also raised $45 million in funding from investors including Peyton Manning, which proves this isn’t just social media hype.³

Real money is backing these influencers because they’ve figured out how to make golf appealing to audiences that traditional tournaments can’t reach.

Traditional players get left behind

Golf Channel’s partnership with Good Good isn’t charity – it’s a desperate attempt to stay relevant as younger audiences abandon traditional golf coverage.

The network knows that Good Good’s knockout events generate more genuine excitement than most professional tournaments.

When comedian Andrew Santino is getting better TV coverage than tour professionals, you know the sport’s hierarchy is crumbling.

The influencers aren’t trying to replace professional golf; they’re just proving that golf can be entertaining without all the stuffy traditions and unwritten rules.

Good Good plans to host "four to five" additional events throughout the year, which means this knockout format is here to stay.¹

Traditional golf media is scrambling to figure out how to compete with content creators who actually understand their audience.

The old guard spent decades making golf feel exclusive and elite, while Good Good made it accessible and fun.

Now they’re watching millions of young fans choose YouTube highlights over traditional tournament coverage.

The knockout golf influencer revolution isn’t coming – it’s already here, and traditional players are getting eliminated one viral video at a time.

Traditional golf media is scrambling to figure out how to compete with content creators who actually understand their audience.

Sources:

¹ Golf Digest, "Golf YouTube stars Good Good go big with the debut of the Good Good Desert Knockout on Golf Channel," February 4, 2025

² Good Good Golf Press Release, "Golf Channel Expands Partnership With Good Good Golf," February 3, 2025

³ Variety, "Media Startup Good Good Golf Raises $45 Million From Investors Including Peyton Manning," March 21, 2025

 

Latest Posts: