In an interview with Golfweek, famed and often opinionated commentator Brandon Chamblee prompted PGA of America to condemn his explosive opinions on golf instructors and their practices. Chamblee notably commented on the age of the Internet and how this paradigm has had a major shift in the way teaching instructions are received.
Brandon Chamblee began his interview by alluding to the fact that false swing theories can be called out by students who can go on YouTube and fact check the instructions.
“I think that people realize the movement patterns and the teaching philosophy of 30, 40 years ago has run into YouTube videos and social media, which acts as purity for teaching and I believe about five, sex, seven years ago the whole instruction world, the pendulum began to shift away from restriction to more freedom to move, to turn.”
“The teachers are being exposed for their idiocy,” Chamblee said. “They completely spread this flawed philosophy through all of teaching and all teachers got stuck to that ideal and all teachers taught flawed philosophies and these philosophies finally got b****-slapped by reality. YouTube, there it is, you’re wrong, you’re right.”
PGA of America commented swiftly on Brandon Chamblee’s rhetoric, and took issue to his opinions and use of crude language. “Using such crude and hateful language is abhorrent in any context and in this case a direct contradiction to the countless programs and initiatives those in the industry provide to ensure everyone feels welcome in golf.” They added, “ Chamblee is entitled to his own opinion, but it is unfair to paint all instructors with the same ugly brush.”
The day before Brandon Chamblee realized the error of his ways and apologized about his choice of words, “I sincerely apologize for an unfortunate choice of words in the Golfweek interview,” he wrote out on his Twitter. “ While the phrase was meant to mean harsh criticism, seeing words in black and white make you realize different contexts. Either way this was a poor choice of words and I apologize.”
Also read: Brooks Koepka and John Rahm Rule Out Premiere Golf League