Bryson DeChambeau: How golf’s least favorite player improved his image and got fans to love him

Bryson used to be known more for his arrogance, loud clothes and spikes (see tweet below) than he did for his monster drives. The golfer everyone loved to hate didn’t shy from the spotlight and did everything he could to be the center of attention. From wearing Ben Hogan hats to being one of the last golfers on the planet to wear steel spikes, he has just always gone about doing things the Bryson way. In the traditional world of golf that can be annoying.

Why did everyone used to hate on Bryson?

We all know someone like DeChambeau. It could be your brother-in-law or maybe it’s a co-worker, but it’s definitely someone you try to avoid. A know-it-all. You know what they’re like; the smokers who quit and tell you how they did it and why it’s so bad for you. Or the one who loses 20 pounds and all of the sudden is a fitness guru. That’s Bryson. Or that was Bryson. Sometimes we don’t want to know everything about your diet or your swing speed or your opinion on new golf technology.

He definitely rubbed Brooks Koepka the wrong way and even nice guy Matt Fitzpatrick spoke out about DeChambeau and his approach to the game. But, what if he was right? What if we should have been listening instead of tuning out every time he gave his opinion? OK, yes, he left the PGA Tour for LIV golf, he did lose a ton of weight after he bulked up to hit the ball even further and he somehow managed to turn things around with golf fans. He also claimed that Augusta National was basically a par 67, something he apologized about later.

Let’s not forget that he has been seen hanging out with Donald Trump and company. For 50 percent of the US population, that’s fine, but the other half might be put off by his relationship with the 45th president. DeChambeau’s hasn’t hidden the fact that he’s “very lucky to have a relationship” with Donald Trump, who he has played with several times.

What did Bryson DeChambeau do to get fans to like him?

YouTube. That’s right, online videos. If you haven’t been paying attention, golf YouTubers are all the rage. From ‘Bob Does Sports’ to the ‘Bryan Brothers’, golf fans are tuning into the online platform to laugh at the guys who play like us or learn from the ones who play like the pros. He loves to be loved and you can see him on the course signing autographs and giving away balls to young fans as well.

DeChambeau, not one to miss out on a fad or a trend, got in on the action and started up his own YouTube channel. And who knew? The guy’s a natural in front of the camera. YouTube golf isn’t only hitting balls on the course or the range and talking about loft and distance. Those who master the video platform know how to connect with the audience and Bryson knows just how to do that. DeChambeau now has over 700 thousand subscribers!

He has challenged Phil Mickelson, he played on YouTube golf star Grant Horvat’s channel and he plays with Walmart clubs, hickory clubs and on his knees. It’s pure entertainment. The thing is that connection with the camera has carried over to the course and public domain. Fans love Bryson now. He’s charming in his interviews with journalists, he even has a sense of humor now.

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Love him or hate him, they guy is making an effort for you to like him. I wise man once said, “If you’re going down the road the wrong way, it’s never too late to turn around.” Despite leaving for LIV, approaching the game differently and just hitting the ball really far; all things that could turn you off on Bryson, somehow, he’s found a way to become likable.

He should be fun to watch at ‘The Showdown,’ so give the guy a chance and sit back and watch the Bryson show, you’ll enjoy it, for sure.