If you’re a golf fan, Bryson DeChambeau needs no introduction. He’s a two-time U.S. Open champion and has consistently ranked among the world’s top golfers for years.
But if golf isn’t your thing, chances are you didn’t know his name—until last November, that is.
That’s when Bryson decided to spend 16 days trying to hit a hole-in-one over his own house. Not for charity. Not to prove a point. Just because it was fun. And, luckily for us, he documented the entire challenge on Instagram. Here’s the video of the moment he finally did it.
The result? Viral gold:
- Each video racked up nearly 5 million views
- Bryson gained over 320,000 new followers
So, what made this silly-sounding golf stunt so successful?
Whether you’re a podcaster, radio personality, or anyone building an audience online, there’s a lot to learn from this. Because going viral isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy. Let’s break down why Bryson’s campaign worked so well, and how you can borrow the playbook.
- It Was Fun
Let’s be honest—there’s a lot of heavy news out there. War. Politics. Disasters. We’re all exhausted.
And then comes Bryson, just trying to smack a golf ball over his roof. No agenda. No drama. Just pure, silly joy.
In a stress-filled world, fun is a relief—and relief is shareable.
- It Was Fast
Each video Bryson posted was a short, punchy highlight reel of the day’s attempts. No fluff. Just the good stuff.
That’s crucial. In today’s world of 10-second attention spans, if your content drags, it dies. Bryson’s clips were snackable—perfect for a quick scroll.
- It Was Consistent
Every day, for 16 days, followers knew exactly what they were getting: another swing at the impossible.
This consistency built anticipation. People checked back daily. They got invested. It became a mini soap opera with a golf ball as the star.
Pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau hit a hole-in-one over his house after 16 days of trying, documenting it on social media. (Photo credit: L.E.MORMILE / Shutterstock.com)
- It Was Relatable
Bryson is an elite athlete. But in these videos, he wasn’t dominating a tournament—he was just a guy failing, over and over.
It humanized him. And more importantly, it reminded us that even the best fail sometimes. We’ve all been there. That made the moment he finally succeeded that much sweeter.
- It Was Universal
You didn’t need to know anything about golf to get the joke. The idea—“guy tries to hit a ball over his house”—was simple and instantly understandable.
And that’s a big deal. The more people instantly get your content, the more likely they are to share it.
So…How Do You Go Viral?
There’s no magic formula. No guaranteed recipe. But there are patterns. And Bryson’s challenge followed some of the best ones:
- Make it fun
- Keep it short
- Stick with it
- Show your human side
- Make it easy to understand
If you’re a content creator trying to grow your brand, take a page from Bryson’s playbook. You don’t need a mansion or a golf swing—just a simple, engaging idea and the willingness to share it with the world.
Because the internet loves a good story. Especially one with a happy ending—and a golf ball flying over a roof.
