Phil Mickleson and Bryson DeChambeau share some bold thoughts on social media golf

Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, two of the most prominent figures in the world of professional golf, have long recognized the importance of social media golf in growing the game. In a recent press conference at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, the two captains of the LIV Golf teams, Crushers GC and HyFlyers GC, respectively, shared their insights on how social media has become a crucial tool for engaging with fans and expanding the reach of the sport.

Bryson DeChambeau, known for his innovative approach to the game and his larger-than-life personality, has been at the forefront of the social media golf revolution. With over 1 million followers across his various platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, DeChambeau has leveraged his online presence to connect with fans and showcase his unique brand of golf. From behind-the-scenes vlogs to trick shot videos, the 30-year-old has built a loyal following that extends far beyond the traditional golf audience.

Phil Mickelson, a veteran of the game with 45 PGA Tour victories and 6 major championships, has also embraced the power of social media gol. With over 1.2 million followers on Instagram and a growing presence on other platforms, the 53-year-old has used his online channels to share his insights, engage with fans, and promote the growth of the sport.

MIchelson and DeChambeau discuss the importance of social media in golf

During the press conference, both DeChambeau and Mickelson emphasized the crucial role that social media golf plays in the future of the sport. As Bryson DeChambeau explained:

“[When I started my YouTube Channel] I felt like there was a missing hole in the game of golf where you look at guys like Mr. Beast or David Dobrik or whatever it is that are influencing a lot of people in the world, and I saw that market back in 2020, and I said, man, if the golf industry — if golf could tap into that just a little bit, how many more followers we would get, how many more players we would get, how the game would just explode if we could just barely tap into a percent or a couple percent of that.”

DeChambeau’s vision for the integration of golf and social media has been a driving force behind his own content creation and the broader efforts of LIV Golf to engage with a younger, more digitally-savvy audience. By showcasing the personalities and skills of the players, as well as the unique experiences of the LIV Golf events, the league has been able to reach new fans and inspire the next generation of golfers.

Phil Mickelson, who has been a bit “slower” to embrace the social media landscape, acknowledged the importance of these platforms in growing the game.

“As we came to LIV, those are all now opportunities. Every event is an elevated event. We have equity, and we have the ability to do these social media posts and try to transcend the game of golf to different generations, and all of these things were not possible before LIV came along, so we’re very appreciative that we have that opportunity.”

The Power of Collaboration 

One of the key aspects of the LIV Golf model that both Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson highlighted was the emphasis on team dynamics and camaraderie.

“We’ve got a great bunch of guys over here at the Crushers,” Dechambeau said, “and very lucky to have picked them early on, and we’ve stuck together like glue, Gorilla Glue I would say. They’re just solid people. More importantly, yes, we golf great and we do really well on the golf course, but they’re just a great bunch of guys to hang out with and they’re great family men.”

This sense of team unity and support has not only translated to success on the course, but it has also enabled the players to collaborate on social media content and amplify each other’s messages. As Phil Mickelson noted:

“We didn’t have an opportunity for elevated events. We didn’t have an opportunity for equity. We didn’t have an opportunity to do our own social media. That was all controlled and shot down. As we came to LIV, those are all now opportunities.”

The ability to create and share content freely has allowed DeChambeau, Mickelson, and their teammates to showcase their personalities, connect with fans, and inspire the next generation of golfers. By leveraging the power of social media, they are not only growing their own brands but also contributing to the overall growth and popularity of the sport.

The future of social media golf

As Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson look to the future, they are both optimistic about the continued integration of golf and social media. DeChambeau envisions a landscape where the rivalries and team dynamics of LIV Golf will be amplified through social platforms, creating a more engaging and immersive experience for fans.

“Where I see it heading,” DeChambeau said, “I think there may be an opportunity for this to be just — from an audience perspective even bigger. You’re going to see a lot more interactions from teams. I think the competition between the teams will get heightened. The rivalries will get heightened.”

“There’s already some sort of rivalries going on right now, but as the years go on and people are going to win championships, that team championship at the end of the year last year like the Crushers did, I think there’s going to be a lot of rivalries to be produced that you’ll see, and it’s stories to be told I think will be pretty insane over the next five to ten years.”

Mickelson, on the other hand, is excited about the potential for LIV Golf to reach new markets and inspire the next generation of golfers.

“I think the thing that I do know is I think the quality of the players will continue to get better each year. I think that the ability and the sites that we move throughout the world will continue to excite players and excite fans. We’ll be going to more countries outside of the United States that really are starving for world-class professional golf, and we’ll have a lot more receptions like we had at Adelaide.”

As the world of golf continues to evolve, the partnership between the sport and social media will undoubtedly play a crucial role in its future. With leaders like Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson at the forefront of this movement, the game of golf is poised to reach new heights and inspire a new generation of fans and players.