This article originally appeared in the August issue of NCGA Golf Magazine
For Chad Fegley, golf wasn’t always about birdies or breaking 80—it started with laughter on a driving range in San Rafael, shared with his grandfather, his uncle and a pack of swinging cousins barely able to get the ball in the air. Those early memories planted a quiet love for the game that wouldn’t fully blossom until decades later, during the isolation of 2020. What began as a personal reconnection to golf during the pandemic quickly evolved into something bigger: a vibrant digital community built on honesty, creativity and a deep appreciation for the game’s ability to connect. Through drone footage, storytelling and a sincere approach to content, Fegley has become more than a golf influencer—he’s a voice for a new era of the game, one that celebrates authenticity, inclusivity and joy on and off the course.
Question: How did you get into golf? And how did you find your way into influencing?
Chad Fegley: Golf has always had a quiet presence in my life, going back to childhood memories that still mean the world to me. It all started with my Grandpa Bob and Uncle Mike. Every time we visited them in San Rafael, usually just a couple times a year, they’d take us to McGinnis Golf Course. I can still picture the range: myself and my cousins, Jeff and Chris, barely able to get the ball 5 feet off the ground, swinging with everything we had and laughing the whole time. It wasn’t about playing well, it was about being together. Those moments became something I looked forward to. Golf was our family’s way of bonding, sharing stories, and spending time in the sun. And though I didn’t realize it at the time, that love for the game was quietly planting roots.
Fast forward to 2020, the world shuts down, and like a lot of people, I found myself needing something to ground me. Life was uncertain, routines vanished, and for someone who thrives on connection, the isolation hit hard. I’m naturally social, the type of person who loves chatting with strangers, making new friends, and just being out in the world. So when COVID stripped a lot of that away, I found myself looking for an outlet, somewhere to reconnect, even at a distance.
That’s when golf came back into my life in a real, meaningful way. It checked all the boxes: outdoors, socially distant, mentally engaging and surprisingly calming, even when frustrating. And maybe most importantly, it gave me that sense of community
again. Every round felt like a chance to clear my head, get some fresh air and occasionally (if I was lucky) make solid contact.
But the content creation side? That came from a mix of curiosity, passion and honestly, the desire to share the journey. I started a golf Instagram account with the idea of documenting my progress, from being a 20+ handicap to seeing how low I could realistically go. I wanted to be honest about the struggles, the wins and all the hilarious in-betweens that come with learning this beautiful, humbling game. I didn’t set out to “become an influencer.” I just wanted to connect with others who were learning too.
And somehow, that resonated. People appreciated the realness. They saw a bit of their own journey in mine. The community started to grow, and I realized this wasn’t just a hobby anymore, it was a space to inspire others, to lift up new golfers and to show that you don’t have to play perfect golf to love the game deeply.
So in a way my golf journey came full circle. What started as a few cherished range sessions with family became a creative outlet, a passion project, and eventually, a platform to build community. And I’m grateful for every swing, every post and every person it’s brought into my life.”
Q: What is your favorite event you have ever played in?
CF: Hands down, the most memorable event I’ve ever played in was a ‘Murder Mystery Scramble’ hosted by Coyote Creek Golf Course around Halloween. The entire event was themed like a classic whodunit, but with a golf twist. From the moment we checked in, the spooky vibe was on. Staff and volunteers were in full costume playing different characters, and we were handed a detective-style scorecard with clues we’d gather throughout the round to help us solve a fictional murder that had “taken place” on the course. It was part golf tournament, part Clue board game, but most importantly, so much fun.
One of the most creative touches was on the closest-to-the-pin holes - they actually had chalk-style body outlines painted around the greens, like little crime scenes. It added this weirdly fun challenge where you’re trying to stick a shot while also laughing about why they might’ve been “taken out” on the par 3.
Each hole came with either a clue, a challenge or a wild encounter with one of the themed characters. It was immersive, super clever and honestly unlike anything I’d experienced in golf before.
Coyote Creek knocked it out of the park. If more tournaments had this kind of energy, I think even non-golfers would want in.
Q: Favorite Course?
CF: I have two courses that are very near and dear to my heart. The first is Coyote Creek in Morgan Hill. Coyote Creek is about 10 minutes from my house and became my home course after the first time I played there. Coyote Creek is also the first golf course that allowed me to really dive deep into content creation on their course. At first I would just tag them in my videos without thinking much of it, but eventually Coyote Creek reached out to me and wanted to start collaborating together to highlight their course and beyond. I started working with their social media manager, Kayla, and also their head Greenskeeper, Erik, and we would do shoots highlighting Finn Scooters, how to properly use the range, as well as highlight any major changes to the course. They were also the first course to let me use my drone. Once I started using the drone, content creation and opportunities started pouring in. So thank you, Kayla and Erik over at Coyote Creek!
The second course is an absolute gem just outside South San Jose - Cinnabar Hills Golf Course. First of all, I got married there back in 2019 before I really started getting into golf. Secondly, the course is always in immaculate shape, very challenging but also extremely beautiful. If you have not had a chance to check out Cinnabar Hills, it’s worth the drive up the mountain to experience.
Q: Why do you think it’s important for golfers to have a Handicap Index?
CF: A Handicap Index is important for a couple reasons. One, it makes the game more competitive and fun. Even when you’re just playing with friends, everyone in the group likely has very different Handicap Indexes—so using them helps level the playing field and make the competition more fair and fun for everyone.
Also, keeping a Handicap Index is a great way to track your own progress and growth in your golf game. It’s a great way to set goals and get motivated. It is such a great feeling when you open up the GHIN app and see that your Handicap Index has been lowered after your last round. It gets addicting really, especially when you finally break past the 10 mark. It’s also fun to keep track of your friends and watch their Handicap Indexes go up and down. Having a Handicap Index turns golf from a solo challenge into a shared experience, where everyone has a shot at winning.
Q:What is the most important thing in your golf bag?
CF: My iRange Sports Sticks that I use to capture my content with. I have two of them in my bag, one that I use for my phone and another that I use for my Sony A7Riii camera. If you're serious about getting into content creation or even just want a product to be able to easily record your swing, the iRange Sports Stick is a must have in the bag.
Q: How has technology changed the game of golf?
CF: You know, it’s crazy how much technology has transformed the game of golf, both in how it’s played and how we experience it as fans. I’ve been lucky enough to see this shift firsthand through the lens of a drone and let me tell you: the game looks a whole lot different from 400 feet in the air.
On the course, technology like shot tracking, launch monitors, and advanced club design has elevated the level of play across the board. But where it gets really exciting for someone like me is how technology has reshaped the visual storytelling of golf.
Drone videography, for example, has completely changed the way we showcase courses. Instead of static photos or ground-level shots, drones let us capture sweeping fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and the true personality of a course in ways we simply couldn’t before. It’s cinematic. It’s immersive. And it invites people to feel the course before they even step on it.
One of the coolest things about how technology has changed the game of golf is that it’s made the game way more social and connected than ever before. These days, you don’t have to be in the same city, or even on the same continent, to share a round, a swing tip or a post-round laugh. Apps, simulators and platforms like Instagram, YouTube and even Discord have turned golf into a global conversation. Whether you’re breaking 80 or just breaking in your first set of clubs, there’s a whole online community ready to celebrate (or roast) that journey with you.
Tech has made the game feel more personal, more inviting, and honestly, more fun. It’s helping us appreciate the beauty, strategy, and emotion of the game like never before. Golf’s always had that social spirit, tech just gave it a bigger stage.
Q: Tell us about any golf companies that you are involved with and why you chose them?
CF: First, and foremost, I have to give a shout out to the best golf brand in the game, Buena Gente Golf. They were the first company to make me one of their first brand ambassadors alongside Milton (831 Golf). This was the first company to truly believe in me and my golf vision. Not only am I appreciative of their support, but what their brand stands for is the most important aspect to me. Buena Gente doesn’t just make space, it creates it. For those who never saw themselves in the sport, it offers a mirror. For those who’ve always loved the game, it offers a fresh, joyful perspective. It’s an invitation to play boldly, live fully and bring your whole self to the course.
I also work with The Golf Garage located in San Jose. I have made content for their golf training facility and in return they have helped elevate my golf game through amazing, dedicated coaches such as Matt Soza and Edison Tran. The Golf Garage is a personalized training ground. Whether you’re a total beginner or a competitive player, it offers deep analysis, thoughtful coaching, and an intimate, distraction-free environment. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to take their game to the next level in a supportive, high-tech space.
iRangeSports is another company I work with - they truly have been the backbone to my content creation. Whenever I need a new product to explore a new perspective, they send me out personalized sports sticks and always support my ideas. Without iRangeSports, I don’t think I could have been as successful in the content creation space, so I am truly thankful for their support.
Last, but not least, I also work with Odin Golf. The owner, Jordan, is such a great guy who is really dedicated to the design and success of his golf balls. I’ve played in a few of Odin Golf’s ‘Bay Day’ tournaments—co-hosted by Bay Area legend Patricia Callahan—and also had the opportunity to represent the brand in a recent Hittin’ Links Ryder Cup-style event. I have had the pleasure of meeting so many great people in the golf community through Odin Golf events.
Q: What is your favorite kind of content to make? And what content does best?
CF: My favorite type of content to create is the kind that truly captures the soul of a golf course. I love producing videos that highlight a course’s features in a way that goes beyond simple visuals - they tell a story. Whether it’s the golden hour light hitting the fairways, the way the bunkers frame a green, or the rolling elevation changes you only fully appreciate from the air, I enjoy combining ground-level shots with sweeping drone footage to give a complete sense of place.
The drone adds a cinematic perspective that most golfers never get to see. When paired with the right music, the rhythm of the cuts and the movement of the shots can create a real emotional connection. A great example is the video I created for Poppy Ridge, it wasn’t just about showing a pretty course, it was about immersing the viewer in the experience. You could feel the wind moving across the hills and almost hear the sound of a well-struck drive echoing off the ridges.
That’s the kind of content I love the most and it’s also the kind that performs the best. Golfers don’t just want to see a course; they want to feel like they’ve been there. They want to be inspired. I want someone to watch one of my videos and immediately say, “I need to go play there.” Especially when it’s a course they haven’t played yet - I want the video to create a sense of urgency and curiosity, like it’s a hidden gem they can’t miss.
To me, the best golf content isn’t just about scorecards or swing tips. It's about telling the story of the game through the beauty of the landscape and the emotion of the experience. That’s what I aim to deliver every time I hit “record.
Q: Any advice for those new to golf or wanting to get into golf?
CF: Golf is humbling, hilarious and hands-down one of the most rewarding games you’ll ever love/hate/love again. Golf is also a great connector across generations, backgrounds and experience levels. When you link people together, you're doing more than growing the game, you're building a community and I think the golf community is one of the best communities in the world you can be a part of. Also, no, you don’t need a new set of clubs to start out or a brand new driver to fix your ‘slice’, save that money and go get lessons.