Be Better Golf Vlogger lost Am status due to Youtube channel ad revenue

[jamesduncan]

I follow Be Better Golf on youtube (as I'm sure a number of ppl on here do as well) and I enjoy the content.

 

In a video post today, Brendon stated that the USGA took away his Am status due to some content on his channel. In some replies to comments asking for details, he stated that they thought he was teaching in one of his videos - where he was simply explaining some drills he was working on.

 

There are a number of college players with Youtube channels, so maybe that's something to be careful about.

 

What with the USGA always talking about "growing the game" - while I understand their side of things due to revenue from ads, it seems pretty heavy handed of them to simply take away someone's Am status due to a pretty innocent video posted on Youtube - what in this age of social media and self content production.

 

Rule 7 allows for them to ask for a stop in the activity afasik before revoking status.

 

Is the USGA nimble enough to know when a YT user is making ad revenue or not, now that Youtube has changed their revenue partner agreement?

[Golfingfanatic]

I thought they took his am status away a while ago?

In any event, he offers lessons on his website, so clearly he is teaching.

[jamesduncan]

This was before he was teaching.

 

He basically ramped up the teaching aspect AFTER they revoked his status. In his case, he didn't seem to care.

 

But in the video in question, he clearly WAS NOT teaching. He was simply explaining what he was working on. It would be no different if you told someone a drill you got from a lesson or a video.

 

The rub is there was ad revenue from Youtube.

 

Will the USGA have stats about who is getting revenue or not, if you say - made a video about your favorite drills and posted it on youtube?

[SNIPERBBB]

Not hard to find out if a video is being monetized or not on YT

[Hawkeye77]

Covered exhaustively here. http://www.golfwrx.c...f-youtube-show/

 

His amateur status had nothing to do with one "pretty innocent video". In the end he wanted to call himself a pro, now he's a pro and selling all sorts of stuff. Have to make money one way or the other.

 

His website says he became a teacher because of all the demand for his services and he's in the process (still apparently) of becoming a "certified" instructor.

 

God bless America.

[rkodavey]

Yeah, this is old news. I want to say it was at least a year ago that he mentioned that on his channel.

[jamesduncan]

Covered exhaustively here. http://www.golfwrx.c...f-youtube-show/

 

His amateur status had nothing to do with one "pretty innocent video". In the end he wanted to call himself a pro, now he's a pro and selling all sorts of stuff. Have to make money one way or the other.

 

His website says he became a teacher because of all the demand for his services and he's in the process (still apparently) of becoming a "certified" instructor.

 

God bless America.

 

 

Yeah - again all of this happened AFTER he got the letter from the USGA - at least he said yesterday. So not really covered in that thread.

 

The video in question is pretty early in the life of the channel - and yes it IS pretty innocent - it really inst a teaching video. The USGA perceived it as that though, hence him switching to teaching - or trying to brand himself as that - which is dubious at best.

 

The issue for me is that now that Youtube has changed it's monetization policy - is the USGA savvy enough to know when you are getting money or not (it's not 'easy' now to find out - or if it suddenly is now with the new rules, feel free to post a walk thru how the USGA might do that lol)

 

 

I'll basically stop though because no one really seems to be reading my posts or getting my line of questioning - lol

 

Oh well.

[jamesduncan]

Yeah, this is old news. I want to say it was at least a year ago that he mentioned that on his channel.

 

Right - but youtube has since changed it's monetization policy - which is actually NEW news.

 

I give up - thanks experts of golfwrx. lol

[Hawkeye77]

Covered exhaustively here. http://www.golfwrx.c...f-youtube-show/

 

His amateur status had nothing to do with one "pretty innocent video". In the end he wanted to call himself a pro, now he's a pro and selling all sorts of stuff. Have to make money one way or the other.

 

His website says he became a teacher because of all the demand for his services and he's in the process (still apparently) of becoming a "certified" instructor.

 

God bless America.

 

 

Yeah - again all of this happened AFTER he got the letter from the USGA - at least he said yesterday. So not really covered in that thread.

 

The video in question is pretty early in the life of the channel - and yes it IS pretty innocent - it really inst a teaching video. The USGA perceived it as that though, hence him switching to teaching - or trying to brand himself as that - which is dubious at best.

 

The issue for me is that now that Youtube has changed it's monetization policy - is the USGA savvy enough to know when you are getting money or not (it's not 'easy' now to find out - or if it suddenly is now with the new rules, feel free to post a walk thru how the USGA might do that lol)

 

 

I'll basically stop though because no one really seems to be reading my posts or getting my line of questioning - lol

 

Oh well.

 

Wrong, it started being discussed on the very first page of that thread, so yes "really covered" and covered extensively - I guess I'd read the thread before declaring what it doesn't contain.

 

And no, the whole thing with the channel/revenue/USGA wasn't over one innocent video. Whatever the policy of the USGA that caused the discussion/whomever may or may not have raised the issue with the USGA that brought it to the forefront, etc. - that information is in the thread, links to where he talked about it. He had special content that was "pay per view" for quite some time, that didn't just happen within the last 6-8 months.

 

He enjoyed being called "pro" by the teachers he was interviewing, always made a point of saying his You Tube channel was leading to people asking him for swing advice, which he was giving (those contacts came about because of the posted videos) and if you read what is on his website and what he talked about quite awhile ago, except for not being able to enter a couple of tournaments as an amateur he really didn't seem too bothered by it and was already reworking his ideas and format toward generating revenue and wanting to be an instructor.

 

Good for him.

[jamesduncan]

Covered exhaustively here. http://www.golfwrx.c...f-youtube-show/

 

His amateur status had nothing to do with one "pretty innocent video". In the end he wanted to call himself a pro, now he's a pro and selling all sorts of stuff. Have to make money one way or the other.

 

His website says he became a teacher because of all the demand for his services and he's in the process (still apparently) of becoming a "certified" instructor.

 

God bless America.

 

 

Yeah - again all of this happened AFTER he got the letter from the USGA - at least he said yesterday. So not really covered in that thread.

 

The video in question is pretty early in the life of the channel - and yes it IS pretty innocent - it really inst a teaching video. The USGA perceived it as that though, hence him switching to teaching - or trying to brand himself as that - which is dubious at best.

 

The issue for me is that now that Youtube has changed it's monetization policy - is the USGA savvy enough to know when you are getting money or not (it's not 'easy' now to find out - or if it suddenly is now with the new rules, feel free to post a walk thru how the USGA might do that lol)

 

 

I'll basically stop though because no one really seems to be reading my posts or getting my line of questioning - lol

 

Oh well.

 

Wrong, it started being discussed on the very first page of that thread, so yes "really covered" and covered extensively - I guess I'd read the thread before declaring what it doesn't contain.

 

And no, the whole thing with the channel/revenue/USGA wasn't over one innocent video. Whatever the policy of the USGA that caused the discussion/whomever may or may not have raised the issue with the USGA that brought it to the forefront, etc. - that information is in the thread, links to where he talked about it. He had special content that was "pay per view" for quite some time, that didn't just happen within the last 6-8 months.

 

He enjoyed being called "pro" by the teachers he was interviewing, always made a point of saying his You Tube channel was leading to people asking him for swing advice, which he was giving (those contacts came about because of the posted videos) and if you read what is on his website and what he talked about quite awhile ago, except for not being able to enter a couple of tournaments as an amateur he really didn't seem too bothered by it and was already reworking his ideas and format toward generating revenue and wanting to be an instructor.

 

Good for him.

 

The vid he referenced yesterday was simply him talking about drills he was doing and from early in the channel's life - the discussion on the thread assumes he was out calling himself a teacher before the USGA reached out - if he was out there soliciting lessons I'd see the USGA's point (he says he stepped that up that activity after they sent the letter) - I mean I DO see their point overall.

 

But if someone makes a vid about a drill they are working on and posts it on to youtube - they don't make ANY money if they have less than 1K subs as of Feb 2018. What is the USGA's position on this? Rules of Am Status of course don't really cover this in someways.

 

If someone is allowed to teach in writing as long as they don't have ability or reputation, in someways, some dude in Long Beach posting a YT vid is the same - if one goes by his timeline of events.

 

5-3. Instruction in Writing

 

An amateur golfer may receive payment or compensation for golf instruction in writing, provided his ability or reputation as a golfer was not a major factor in his employment or in the commission or sale of his work.

 

These are sort of subtle points that have been glossed over so it seems - while the USGA allows exceptions for winnings (up to $750 or other lesser limits and other exceptions) - the USGA hasn't really fleshed out their case moving forward regarding new un-compensated YT channels, if you go by what he has stated (a vid of him simply doing drills and saying "I'm working on this.") and apply it to a current new channel with less that 1K subs - and of course he might be leaving out things in his recount of the timeline - which wouldn't be surprising.

 

Anywhoo.

[wattage]

not to thread jack....but I find him annoying. In the videos I watched he talked over his guests.

[ferreta]

What’s his handicap?

[jgonz69]

What’s his handicap?

Who cares? Do Butch Harmon David Leadbetter et al go out there and shoot 66’s?

[Hawkeye77]

Covered exhaustively here. http://www.golfwrx.c...f-youtube-show/

 

His amateur status had nothing to do with one "pretty innocent video". In the end he wanted to call himself a pro, now he's a pro and selling all sorts of stuff. Have to make money one way or the other.

 

His website says he became a teacher because of all the demand for his services and he's in the process (still apparently) of becoming a "certified" instructor.

 

God bless America.

 

 

Yeah - again all of this happened AFTER he got the letter from the USGA - at least he said yesterday. So not really covered in that thread.

 

The video in question is pretty early in the life of the channel - and yes it IS pretty innocent - it really inst a teaching video. The USGA perceived it as that though, hence him switching to teaching - or trying to brand himself as that - which is dubious at best.

 

The issue for me is that now that Youtube has changed it's monetization policy - is the USGA savvy enough to know when you are getting money or not (it's not 'easy' now to find out - or if it suddenly is now with the new rules, feel free to post a walk thru how the USGA might do that lol)

 

 

I'll basically stop though because no one really seems to be reading my posts or getting my line of questioning - lol

 

Oh well.

 

Wrong, it started being discussed on the very first page of that thread, so yes "really covered" and covered extensively - I guess I'd read the thread before declaring what it doesn't contain.

 

And no, the whole thing with the channel/revenue/USGA wasn't over one innocent video. Whatever the policy of the USGA that caused the discussion/whomever may or may not have raised the issue with the USGA that brought it to the forefront, etc. - that information is in the thread, links to where he talked about it. He had special content that was "pay per view" for quite some time, that didn't just happen within the last 6-8 months.

 

He enjoyed being called "pro" by the teachers he was interviewing, always made a point of saying his You Tube channel was leading to people asking him for swing advice, which he was giving (those contacts came about because of the posted videos) and if you read what is on his website and what he talked about quite awhile ago, except for not being able to enter a couple of tournaments as an amateur he really didn't seem too bothered by it and was already reworking his ideas and format toward generating revenue and wanting to be an instructor.

 

Good for him.

 

The vid he referenced yesterday was simply him talking about drills he was doing and from early in the channel's life - the discussion on the thread assumes he was out calling himself a teacher before the USGA reached out - if he was out there soliciting lessons I'd see the USGA's point (he says he stepped that up that activity after they sent the letter) - I mean I DO see their point overall.

 

But if someone makes a vid about a drill they are working on and posts it on to youtube - they don't make ANY money if they have less than 1K subs as of Feb 2018. What is the USGA's position on this? Rules of Am Status of course don't really cover this in someways.

 

If someone is allowed to teach in writing as long as they don't have ability or reputation, in someways, some dude in Long Beach posting a YT vid is the same - if one goes by his timeline of events.

 

5-3. Instruction in Writing

 

An amateur golfer may receive payment or compensation for golf instruction in writing, provided his ability or reputation as a golfer was not a major factor in his employment or in the commission or sale of his work.

 

These are sort of subtle points that have been glossed over so it seems - while the USGA allows exceptions for winnings (up to $750 or other lesser limits and other exceptions) - the USGA hasn't really fleshed out their case moving forward regarding new un-compensated YT channels, if you go by what he has stated (a vid of him simply doing drills and saying "I'm working on this.") and apply it to a current new channel with less that 1K subs - and of course he might be leaving out things in his recount of the timeline - which wouldn't be surprising.

 

Anywhoo.

 

You are going off of one casual statement, a set of incorrect facts even when pointed in the right direction (and what little you've read you are still mischaracterizing), and using that as a basis for general criticism of the USGA and some "case moving forward" you don't even know exists. Makes little sense.

 

The issue was done and over with almost two years ago, contact Brendon if you want to know the particulars.

 

If the USGA is off on some other tangents regarding YouTube then post up the references, but talking about a matter that's long done with when you don't know what happened is kind of pointless when neither he or the USGA really have cared about it since 2016.

[TN22]

not to thread jack....but I find him annoying. In the videos I watched he talked over his guests.

 

Gotta agree with this. I enjoy his content but he has a tendency to talk over his guests and cut them off. Especially when guys like Malaska are throwing out quality golf talk and this guy interjects often.

[Llortamaisey]

I guess he will never win the US Am now.

[oikos1]

[terrell75]

He recently played in a pro tournament and in his post-round commentary mentioned that he had been forced out of amateur status by the USGA. Perhaps OP has mistaken this for a new event. If you have the patience I’d recommend watching the BBG vids in chronological order to get a thorough understanding. Also, I think the clinics he was organizing were a major factor in his loss of am status.

[RichieHunt]

The way I remember it was Brendon gains revenue from his YouTube channel and the USGA felt that there was some videos of his that could be construed as giving instruction and the revenue he gets from YouTube is basically a payment of instruction. The USGA then gave him a choice...either shut down the channel and not make money from it or give up his amateur status.

 

In the end, he even said that he had no problem with the USGA's decision.

 

I disagree with the USGA here, but since Brendon doesn't have a problem I don't know what the fuss is all about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RH

[Hilts1969]

I watch the channel a lot and find him okay to be honest, would I want a lesson off him? No way.

[mmbaines1982]

He's done a great job turning his channel into a money making endeavour

 

That said, he is someone I would not want to be stuck in an elevator with. His personality is grating.

[BIG STU]

The way I remember it was Brendon gains revenue from his YouTube channel and the USGA felt that there was some videos of his that could be construed as giving instruction and the revenue he gets from YouTube is basically a payment of instruction. The USGA then gave him a choice...either shut down the channel and not make money from it or give up his amateur status.

 

In the end, he even said that he had no problem with the USGA's decision.

 

I disagree with the USGA here, but since Brendon doesn't have a problem I don't know what the fuss is all about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RH

Agree with you 110% if he is making money screw the USGA and Amateur Status--- LOL if the USGA sees he is making money they will probably send him a membership application. After all I have said and done about the USGA they are still sending me membership applications 2 in the last 2 weeks. They must really need my $25 is all I can figure.

[Z1ggy16]

I think OP's overall point is maybe be careful making YT instructional vids if you're am Am and you need/want to retain that status. However, it's pretty simple... if you're a college kid and you need to remain an Am and the USGA contacts you about it... Just stop making the vids instructional in nature til you are finished in school. If you can't give up the $10 and change you make from ad revenue, then maybe pick up a part time job or something...

 

I didn't really think many Ams made instructional vids though. 99% of what I watch now on YT that's golf related is course vlogs (watch other people play) or recaps from PGA/EU Tour.

[Fireballer]

He's done a great job turning his channel into a money making endeavour

 

That said, he is someone I would not want to be stuck in an elevator with. His personality is grating.

 

Ha ha. This describes him well. Probably a nice enough guy, but...

[PowderedToastMan]

Brendon is like the modern day Bobby Jones except they have nothing in common.

[CasualLie]

It's been awhile since I've added to my list of reasons why I will never give another $1 directly to USGA; now I have another one,. I'm not a Brendon can by any stretch. Good for him if he makes money from his endeavors, everybody has bills to pay. But calling him a "pro" is a joke and getting a lesson from him is laughable, but it's still not as bad as calling those f-tards at USGA caretakers of the game.

[RichieHunt]

I met up with Brendan at his school he was having at Mike Bender's Academy with Tony Luczak. I just wanted to say hello as we were planning to do a vlog together going to Fujikura HQ to test out their ENSO machine and take a tour of their HQ. Unfortunately that didn't come to fruition.

 

Anyway, Brendan and Tony are seriously nice people and I don't know what Brendan's status is, but if he does turn into a PGA instructor, I think it's a good thing for the PGA. He acts professionally, doesn't take himself too seriously, has a good sense of humor and was very easy to get along with. Most of the students at the clinic were probably 8 handicaps or higher. All seemed to get along well with Brendan and Tony and benefited from the instruction. Tony did the lion's share of the instructing while Brendan assisted.

 

Brendan's swing has improved dramatically in the past year. He can really move a ball and I dare say hits his irons better than I hit mine (and I play to a +2 or +3). He hits the driver quite long although I couldn't hit that driver of his to save my life. It's clearly an anti-hook driver.

 

But overall, he's a prince. Maybe that doesn't come across that way over his YouTube videos. But, I do think it's hard to come off as casual, yet reverent when you're doing golf vlogs that are more about educating the viewer. You just got to get to know him. What else is new?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RH

[oikos1]

It's been awhile since I've added to my list of reasons why I will never give another $1 directly to USGA; now I have another one,. I'm not a Brendon can by any stretch. Good for him if he makes money from his endeavors, everybody has bills to pay. But calling him a "pro" is a joke and getting a lesson from him is laughable, but it's still not as bad as calling those f-tards at USGA caretakers of the game.

 

There is no doubt Brendon likes being classified a "Pro" by the USGA.

[vman]

I like Brendon, he's put himself out there and delivered some really good content. Obviously when you're in the public eye people will throw stones but he just keeps on trucking. It seems like he's embracing the whole professional thing. It just means he's getting paid for his golf related commercial enterprise and that's what he wants to do, so fair play to him. There's a lifetime of learning to do and he wants to share his passion with others.

We're so used to watching professional interviewers on TV that Brendon's looking away (seemingly ignoring) or interrupting at the wrong time (in some vids) could be difficult to watch but it just seemed like he was worried about the camera, lighting or he had over enthusiasm for info. Anyway I wish him well with his future career in golf and his improving game and desire to compete....he comes across as a doer and I've always liked doers.