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Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s undeniable that golf and YouTube are now closely linked. But, it’s not just Rick Shiels and Peter Finch that dominate the scene, with former footballer Jimmy Bullard commanding a huge audience.

Bullard’s channel, Golf Life, started by former Soccer AM star Tubes and his brother Ange, has over a quarter of a million subscribers. Some of the former midfielder’s most popular videos are those with pro golfers and the most recent features DP World Tour star Richard Mansell.

While Mansell might still be without a win on the DP World Tour, he made only his fourth appearance in a major championship at the 2024 US Open. The Englishman topped final qualifying to get into the Pinehurst showdown, and he credited his rounds of 65 and 69 that day in part to playing on Bullard’s channel just a few days earlier.

“Honestly, I think it just helped me have more fun with golf,” Mansell told bunkered.co.uk.

“The video came out and showed that, obviously, we did have a good laugh, but it was serious to an extent. As a golfer at our level, people do expect you to go and play very well all the time.

“But, it doesn’t mean you’re always going to do that. There’s cameras there and of course they’re filming every shot up close. To put it together, even when it’s on YouTube and play some really good stuff, it’s great.”

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In the video, Bullard describes Mansell’s performance as the “greatest YouTube golf performance you’ll ever see,” and it’s something that isn’t lost on Mansell.

The 29-year-old explained that he might be better off in his day job if he could take the fun from his round with Bullard into his work on the DP World Tour.

Richard Mansell Jimmy Bullard
Richard Mansell shot rounds of 65 and 69 shortly after playing with Bullard. (Credit: Getty Images)

“I shot nine-under and that was with a four putt and a three putt and I had never seen the course before. Playing with Jimmy, it really made me have fun on the golf course, rather than being really serious all the time.

“I think there’s a lot to be said for doing that in a tournament, but of course there’s a fine line.

“Being so free and playing like that, it shows that the capability is there, maybe you just need to allow for it to come out a little bit more.

“Playing with Jimmy was great fun, I’ve never played golf with someone who has as many one-liners as he’s had. They obviously do some really good stuff on YouTube and that’s kind of how the world is going now with social media. I thought I might as well be a part of it.”

Whether it’s coincidence or not, Mansell is aware that others who have made their debut on the channel have gone onto success, with last week’s winner in Germany, Ewen Ferguson, a recent guest on Golf Life.

“You look at Marcel Siem and Ewen Ferguson,” Mansell said.

“They’ve both been on it, Jimmy Bullard’s channel, and then won not long after it. Hopefully it’s a little sign of what’s to come for me.”

While we’re not likely to live up to the standard that Mansell produced, shooting nine-under at a tough course like the Centurion Club, it does teach us a valuable lesson.

Golf is supposed to be fun, and playing with someone like Bullard, who clearly doesn’t let you get too down on yourself, might just be the key to letting your best stuff come out on the course.

It helped Richard Mansell qualify for the US Open, and he’ll be hoping it brings success on the DP World Tour soon.


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Lewis Fraser As bunkered’s Performance Editor, Lewis oversees the content that’s designed to make you a better player. From the latest gear to tuition, nutrition, strategy and more, he’s the man. A graduate of the University of Stirling, Lewis joined bunkered in 2021. Formerly a caddie at Castle Stuart Golf Links, he is a member of Bathgate Golf Club where he plays off four.

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