Alex
Elliott’s ardour and information of golf has seen him create a thriving
neighborhood on YouTube and Instagram. Nevertheless, not solely does Alex’s on-line
content material assist golfers enhance their sport, however he’s additionally an avid coach and could be
discovered instructing at Mottram Corridor Golf Membership in Cheshire.
We caught up with PGA Professional and YouTuber Alex to talk about his path into the game, caddying on the European Tour, teaching, and social media.
When did you begin enjoying golf?
I feel I used to be about three or 4 years outdated. My dad took me to junior classes at Bramhall Golf Membership, simply south of Manchester. Like many children, I performed all sports activities up till the age of round 10 or 11 – I used to be into cricket, soccer, and a little bit of rugby – however then, I made a decision I wished to take golf slightly bit extra severely. I joined the junior part at Bramhall and performed all my junior golf there.
What have been your ambitions at that stage?
After I bought
to the age of 16-17, I knew I wished to play golf full time. I dreamt of being a
younger professional on the European Tour, successful a Main and pulling on the well-known Inexperienced
Jacket.
I wished
to develop shortly as a golfer, so I went to Portugal to work for golf golf equipment and
use their services.
That’s the place
I met Andrew Murray. For many who don’t know, Murray was a European Tour
common up till the mid-nineties, and like me, he’s additionally from the North West.
From that second, every part modified.
Your profession went in a unique course, although, proper?
Sure. I
began caddying for Andrew’s son, Tom.
Initially,
this was to achieve expertise and watch him play. We did Tour College, bought to the
Closing Stage, and Tom bought his European Tour card. Nevertheless, six or seven weeks
later, I discovered myself within the locker room with him at Leopard Creek in South
Africa and will see Sergio Garcia’s locker subsequent to me.
I used to be
considering, ‘what’s occurring right here?’
It actually was a baptism of fireplace, however I learnt loads.
Did you get the urge to attempt to make it on Tour as a professional your self?
Wanting
again now, I learnt extra by way of my expertise with Tom than I realised.
I’d say
that I learnt the best way to play golf by caddying for him and watching the professionals on
Tour, as an alternative of simply going out and swinging the membership.
We gained a Problem Tour occasion, however sadly, we didn’t handle to maintain our card. Nevertheless, the entire expertise of caddying for three-and-a-half years and observing prime coaches like Pete Cowen and Jamie Gough helped me on the trail to the place I’m now – instructing.
So, your caddying days are behind you?
I discovered a lot. It was incredible. Nevertheless, the one factor I didn’t like a lot was being away for 48 weeks of the 12 months. It may be nice, however I additionally wished one thing secure, which is why I did my PGA {qualifications}. These took three years, and after that, I used to be a professional PGA professional. It won’t have been the route that I assumed I’d take once I was 16 years outdated, however it’s turned out nicely ultimately.
How did the YouTubing and social media come about?
The
YouTubing and social media took place by way of my girlfriend, to be completely trustworthy.
It was her that first stated, “You’ve bought to be doing that – it’ll make it easier to get
classes” and so forth. I’d say, ‘No, that’s not me, I’m not doing that!’
However, after
a number of persuasion, I did it. I shot my first video about six years in the past, and
it took about six hours to place collectively! It was nice, although, and I simply wished
I’d completed it sooner.
Now, my YouTube channel, AlexElliottGolf, has practically 125,000 subscribers (thus far).
What kind of content material can viewers anticipate out of your YouTube channel?
There are
numerous recommendations on each side of the sport for golfers of all talents. I get
an actual buzz out of serving to folks play higher golf. I’ve had chats with consultants
like Karl Morris, too.
Karl has been concerned with Main winners and offers all types of perception, which, in addition to serving to you play higher golf, additionally offers mild leisure – one thing all of us want in the meanwhile (particularly if we will’t get out and play!)
You’re clearly captivated with presenting – inform us extra…
I
completely adore it.
Instagram
got here first. At first, I’d publish enjoyable stuff once I was on Tour caddying – photos
of venues, locker rooms, and behind the scenes-type content material. I loved running a blog
once I was on the highway, too, and I began constructing a following.
That’s once I determined to maneuver onto YouTube. It’s not the best factor to do on this planet; in truth, it’s fairly arduous, however when you get going and other people begin regarding and interesting together with your content material, the momentum begins to construct.
So, you learnt on the job?
Precisely. I watched a number of different folks and noticed how they carried out themselves, however my girlfriend has been an enormous assist, too. She edits a number of my content material and tells me if I’m repeating myself or shouting on the digital camera. It helps that she may give me an trustworthy opinion and inform me whether or not one thing is garbage – you want that!
How do you take care of adverse feedback?
I simply clean it out. I’m fairly good at blocking these issues out. It’s not that dangerous. Nevertheless, when certainly one of your friends tries to dig you out, that’s when it could harm slightly bit.
What’s your favorite piece of content material you’ve created up to now?
Taking part in
Carnoustie.
It was a course vlog with a little bit of instruction heading in the right direction administration. With the grandstands up, too, it was like a boyhood dream of enjoying in The Open.
What’s the perfect piece of recommendation you’d give to novice golfers?
I might
say that each time you go to the vary, verify your fundamentals – in order that’s your
grip, stance, and ball place.
These are
the basics and have such an enormous impression on what you do in your swing. Get
these fundamentals as near good as you possibly can, and also you’re already giving your self
a a lot better likelihood of being a extra constant golfer.
I bear in mind studying Ian Poulter’s ebook, ‘No Limits’. In that, he talks about maybe not being probably the most naturally proficient participant, however he’s extraordinarily diligent in the case of the straightforward issues, just like the set-up. I see 99% of membership golfers simply wash over this and as an alternative give attention to extra complicated issues.
What’s your best achievement as a instructing professional?
Throughout
lockdown, I began instructing somebody that hadn’t performed for some time.
He’d given up due to numerous accidents, and he wasn’t getting a lot enjoyment from the sport anymore. Now, nevertheless, he’s joined a golf membership, and he’s loving enjoying two or thrice per week once more. The extra folks I may help get out, the higher.
Would you say that encouraging folks to get again enjoying is what drives your YouTube content material?
That’s proper. I additionally suppose it’s a very good platform to alter the stereotype of the sport. Golf is enjoyable. We have to be doing all we will to get youthful folks enjoying, together with juniors and women. There are presently many YouTubers doing a little actually great things to assist showcase what golf is all about, which might solely be good for the sport.
And eventually, what’s TikTok?
TikTok is
a social media platform for brief movies, usually put to music, for the aim
of leisure.
That in all probability sounds horrendous to some folks, however viewers leisure is integral to creating content material. Though it may be fairly amusing watching folks dance, you definitely gained’t see me doing that any time quickly, nevertheless!
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