YouTube golfer and former top-ranked amateur Brad Dalke faced backlash after saying he didn’t want to grind through mini‑tours. Now he’s clarified that his comments came from gratitude, not arrogance.

“I have the utmost respect for everyone who has gone through the grind or is going through the grind right now,” Dalke wrote on X. “I’m grateful to be in a spot where I don’t necessarily have to. Hope you have a fantastic day!”

The post appeared to quell some of the backlash, though debate continued online.

Speaking to reporters after his second round at the BMW International Open, Dalke explained that while he loves competitive golf, he has no desire to spend years grinding on tours like PGA Tour Americas or the Korn Ferry Tour to build a career.

One fan pushed back and said, “Being quoted as ‘I don’t have to grind through tours’ as if he’s somehow above every golfer on the planet that wanted to rise to a level of success in the game makes me root against this arrogant and entitled ‘content creator.’”

Dalke insisted his words were not meant to diminish others. But he wanted to acknowledge the unique path he’s taken through content creation.

Dalke was once one of the most decorated juniors in the U.S. He won the 2015 Junior PGA Championship and finished runner‑up at the 2016 U.S. Amateur.

He was also a member of Oklahoma’s 2017 NCAA Division I title‑winning team, earning starts at the Masters and U.S. Open that year.

After turning pro in 2019, he struggled with his game. Dalke eventually shifted to Good Good Golf’s YouTube channel in 2023. The channel now has 2.11 million subscribers, and Dalke became a central figure in its growth.

Along the way, Dalke won the PGA Tour's Creator Classic at East Lake. He was part of the winning team at the inaugural Internet Invitational in 2025.

Brad Dalke Opens Up on the Fan Support in Germany

Amid all of that noise, Dalke has been playing some of the best golf of his life at the BMW International Open. Interestingly, the German fans have embraced him as well.

"The crowd's been awesome," Dalke told DP World Tour on X.  “Germany has really showed out… It’s crazy in my mind knowing that I’ve never played a DP World Tour event, and I might have the biggest group out there; the biggest following out there."

"So huge shout-out to the fans. I mean, YouTube Golf’s been growing a lot as of late, and it shows with these crowds. And I’m really appreciative of them supporting me this whole way.”

He opened his DP World Tour debut with a 3-under 69 on Thursday, nearly acing the par-3 second hole. Friday was even better: a 6-under 66 built on seven birdies pushed him inside the top five, trailing only two shots of the lead.

Moving Day, however, didn't go as planned. Dalke carded a 3-over 75 and is currently sitting at T-27 with a 6-under par total.

Read more at Club Golf!

Written by

Md Saife Fida

Edited by

Koushik Biswas