I’m an enormous fan of the Creator Traditional idea.
After the primary version final August, I wrote in regards to the success of that experiment. The PGA Tour’s first significant funding in YouTube golf introduced spectacular viewership numbers and gave golf followers a motive to observe on the Wednesday earlier than the professionals performed in the actual event.
The phrase “grow the game” is so overused that it has change into a joke. However concepts like this do assist golf in a really tangible means.
You could possibly see that at TPC Sawgrass this week for take two of the expanded Creator Traditional as YouTube golf celebrity Grant Horvat defeated No Laying Up’s Chris Solomon and George Bryan in a playoff on the famed island inexperienced (which is known as a peninsula, however I digress).
Listed below are the outcomes in case you are . The creators performed eight holes (from the ideas!) with the highest three gamers getting right into a one-hole playoff.
Grant Horvat*+1George Bryan IV+1Chris Solomon+2Roger Steele+3Fat Perez+4Kyle Berkshire+6Tisha Alyn+6GabbyGolfGirl+6Wesley Bryan+6Trent Ryan+29
In keeping with most accounts, the vitality on the grounds was phenomenal. Followers crowded across the tenth tee in shocking numbers. Creators had been inundated with autograph requests and high-fives. Fats Perez of Bob Does Sports activities drained an epic putt. Barstool’s Trent Ryan was cheered on relentlessly as he made an 11 on the par-3 seventeenth.
Vibes had been immaculate.
@FatPerez33 drains Tiger’s iconic seventeenth gap putt. pic.twitter.com/ljeG3VOpok
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 12, 2025
Maintaining all of that in thoughts, there’s nonetheless room for enchancment for an thought that’s in its infancy.
This event was aired on Golf Channel, ESPN+ and YouTube (the place it is possible for you to to observe it on-demand as properly). Solely six hours into the video being revealed, greater than 500,000 folks had already watched it on YouTube. Add within the different audiences—I personally watched on ESPN+—and I’m positive it is a wholesome score that LIV Golf would kill for.
So it’s vital that this TV/streaming product displays what makes YouTube golf so particular.
Proper now, I don’t suppose that’s the case.
Particularly, it must really feel means much less like a standard golf event (and broadcast).
Listed below are seven adjustments I’m hoping the Creator Traditional makes sooner or later.
1. Extra golf pictures, please
Whether or not it’s the Creator Traditional, The Match or different one-off golf broadcasts, a recurring downside is over-producing and over-complicating the product.
Much less is extra. Maintain issues easy right here.
What makes YouTube golf nice? It’s shot after shot and the personalities naturally shine by.
There have been 10 gamers on the course Wednesday night. At one level, we went greater than half-hour with out seeing any shot from one of many foursomes.
Why would that occur? This broadcast ought to be all pictures. Simply present the golf.
A standard Tour broadcast is bloated with commercials—the Creator Traditional has the benefit of solely having 10 balls in play with restricted interruptions.
No excuses right here.
2. Mic up the gamers as an alternative of doing interviews
The printed slowed down a handful of occasions when one of many three on-course reporters did a walk-and-talk interview with one of many gamers.
Pointless.
These interviews aren’t additive. The on-course reporters appear to be doing an impression of a typical broadcast, which is the precise reverse of what we wish.
That features Shane Bacon and Doug Smith because the play-by-play announcers. We’re getting means an excessive amount of buttoned-up commentary from folks not taking part in within the occasion.
This ought to be humorous and zany. Treating it like a significant occasion the place the competitors issues doesn’t make sense. This isn’t a critical golf event—it’s purely for leisure.
Throw mics on the gamers and allow them to carry the occasion. Put Robby Berger on the decision. Make it humorous.
3. Make the format extra inclusive
The format of getting just a few gamers qualify for a playoff is an excellent thought. It creates computerized drama and a enjoyable ending.
Nevertheless, I feel this event crystallized how that format would possibly work higher when there are extra high-end gamers within the subject (like what we noticed with the primary Creator Traditional). YouTube golf is normally not particular person stroke play on championship programs, in order that shouldn’t all the time be the format.
As a approach to embrace all talent ranges whereas nonetheless making an entertaining occasion, I feel it makes extra sense to do groups.
Think about having Ryan, who’s possibly a 16 handicap, paired in an alternate shot with Horvat.
Take your finest gamers and pair them with the worst gamers.
This might open the door for all kinds of creators to be concerned and get into rivalry to win.
And with sure format concepts that embrace groups, I feel the tempo of play—which was horrible at Sawgrass—might enhance tremendously.
What else would you wish to see? How did you get pleasure from this version of the Creator Traditional?
Let me know under within the feedback.
Prime Photograph Caption: Wesley Bryan, George Bryan IV and Grant Horvat tee off on the Creator Traditional. (GETTY IMAGES/Richard Heathcote)
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