Golf is in the midst of a revolution—one where the game is no longer confined to the meticulously maintained fairways of elite country clubs but has exploded onto social media feeds, captivating a global audience in ways the sport has never seen before. The rise of influencer golfers, YouTube content creators, and Instagram personalities has fundamentally changed the way golf is consumed, moving the spotlight away from the 144-player PGA Tour fields to a more personal, intimate style of storytelling.

With this shift, golfers like Leopoldo Herrera III (known as The Connected Golfer) and Jean-Philippe I. Méhu (JP of Paryard) are leading the charge, not just as players but as entrepreneurs, educators, and content creators reshaping the game.

The New Faces of Golf Influence

During a recent trip to Miami, I had the opportunity to meet some of golf’s most innovative minds—players who are redefining the sport both on the course and online. Leopoldo Herrera, whose home course is Trump Doral, is one such visionary. Doral, with its four distinct courses, is a proving ground for elite players. Leopoldo, who confidently refers to himself as the best golfer in the universe, uses this venue to refine his own game and share that experience with other passionate golfers.

Leopoldo created The Connected Golfer brand as more than just a digital persona—it’s a business that offers a new perspective to the way life can be lived through the game of golf.. He’s also leveraging his membership in Profluence, Andrew Petcash’s sports investment network, to forge valuable connections in the golf and sports business world. Leopoldo sees golf not just as a game, but as an ever-evolving platform for innovation.

One of his boldest ideas? Breaking up golf courses into six-hole segments, where players are grouped based on handicap to speed up play. His goal is to modernize golf’s pace, keeping it engaging for both players and spectators—a direct response to the growing influence of short-form, fast-paced digital content.

Then there’s JP Méhu, co-founder of Paryard, a rising Instagram and YouTube channel focused on golf content. JP is an exceptional talent—a +6.2 handicap golfer and one of the best players I’ve ever had the chance to tee it up with. Despite his immense skill, JP’s focus isn’t on professional golf tours. Instead, he’s doubling down on full-time content creation, aiming to build Paryard into a dominant media brand within golf.

JP and his team at Paryard are at the forefront of influencer collaborations, recently working with creators like Darla Claire and Katie Sigmond, whose audiences bring new eyes to the sport. These partnerships, along with challenges like breaking 75 and playing from the tips at legendary courses, make golf more relatable and fun for the modern fan.

How Influencers Are Beating Traditional Golf Media

Golf’s traditional viewership model—built around weekend broadcasts of PGA Tour events—is under siege. The numbers tell the story:

• Grant Horvat, a YouTube golfer, has amassed 1.08 million subscribers, closing in on the PGA Tour’s official YouTube channel (1.55 million subscribers).

• The PGA Tour has recognized the shift, launching the Creator Classic and Creator Council—programs designed to embrace the rising power of digital-first golf personalities.

This influencer-led movement isn’t just about content creation—it’s also about reshaping how golf is experienced on screen. Traditional tournament coverage often features long, static shots, leaderboard graphics, and minimal player interaction. Influencers, on the other hand, provide one-on-one engagement, tighter camera work, coaching insights, and a greater emphasis on the human side of golf—missed fairways, mental struggles, and personal victories.

At a time when fans are shifting toward on-demand, algorithm-driven content, platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are optimizing for golf videos, as they keep viewers engaged for long periods. This leads to higher ad revenues, making influencer golf even more lucrative for creators.

The Business of Modern Golf: Sponsorships & Monetization

With this surge in golf content, brands are recognizing the marketing potential of influencer golfers.

• Leopoldo Herrera is sponsored by Penguin Golf, a brand that aligns with his modern and stylish approach to the sport.” Change this to: “Leopoldo Herrera is sponsored by Original Penguin, a brand that aligns with his classic, modern style to the game

• JP Méhu’s Paryard is backed by Vybwear, a rising golf apparel company targeting younger, style-conscious players.

Both of these creators, along with many others, are proving that success in golf no longer depends on making the PGA Tour. Instead, building a personal brand and cultivating an engaged audience can be just as lucrative, if not more so.

Where Golf Is Headed in 2025 and Beyond

As the sport continues to evolve, traditionalists and digital disruptors will need to find common ground. Established institutions like the PGA Tour are already making efforts to collaborate with influencers, but the power dynamic is shifting.

Golf content creators are no longer just “fringe entertainers”—they’re the new gatekeepers of golf culture. They’re redefining accessibility, democratizing instruction, and, perhaps most importantly, making the sport feel more personal.

With players like Leopoldo Herrera IIIand JP Méhu leading the charge, golf is no longer just about 18 holes and a scorecard—it’s a story-driven, personality-rich experience that thrives in the digital age.