Peter Finch’s path to the brink of the PGA TOUR is far from typical. Starting out teaching golf at a driving range in England, Finch’s journey is now potentially one good tournament away from reaching golf’s biggest stage. This is the story of how a golf coach, known for his humorous and relatable online content, found himself on the cusp of a professional golfing dream at The Q at Myrtle Beach.
In his characteristically self-deprecating style, Finch recounts his initial foray into content creation stemming from a less-than-successful attempt to mentor fellow golfers Luke and Sean. As Finch jokingly describes it, he “wiped the floor with them,” leading him to reconsider his approach to the game and, perhaps more importantly, his career. His personal golf journey began around the age of 15 or 16, a commitment he now humorously “regretted ever since,” but it was his experience as a driving range coach that truly set the stage for his current trajectory.
Working at the driving range, Finch found the traditional sales aspect of coaching lessons “incredibly cringey.” Observing another coach, Rick Shields, successfully attracting students through online videos, Finch recognized the potential of content creation. “Well, it’s a great way to advertise myself as a coach,” he thought, and indeed it was. His videos gained traction, and from that point, Peter Finch’s career took an unexpected turn, moving away from solely in-person coaching to a blend of instruction and entertainment on the internet.
The impact of his online presence became truly apparent during his first visit to The Masters. “It’s a place I’ve always wanted to go,” Finch explained, and thanks to his growing online platform, he had the opportunity. Being recognized at such a prestigious event, engaging with fans, and creating content around The Masters was a “real eye-opener.” It solidified the power of his online platform and the unexpected opportunities it could unlock.
For Peter Finch, the prospect of qualifying for a PGA TOUR event is “absolutely ridiculous” in the most wonderful way. Reflecting on his days “slogging it out, doing lessons on a freezing cold driving range in December in Manchester,” he acknowledges the unlikelihood of this opportunity. His online persona often leans into humorous self-deprecation about his golfing abilities. “If people have watched my videos before, I don’t think anyone is on any illusions about how rubbish I can be,” he jokes, rating himself a “solid 3.5 out of 10.” He uses a vivid, if slightly alarming, metaphor to describe his long game, comparing it to “throwing every little bit of waste that you’ve ever accumulated in your life into a cargo ship, sending it out to sea, firing a rocket at it, seeing it all go to flames.”
Despite his self-deprecating humor, Finch understands the reality of The Q at Myrtle Beach. He recognizes that “you need one good round and then two more decent rounds, and you could make the PGA TOUR event.” This realization carries significant weight, potentially elevating his position within the golf world to “a different kind of positioning within the game” he has never experienced.
Approaching the event, Peter Finch embraces a mindset of “absolutely no pressure.” He views every successful shot as a “wonderful surprise,” focusing on the positive aspects of his game, particularly his putting. However, a touch of nervous anticipation creeps in as he considers the greens at TPC Myrtle Beach. “I might actually poo my pants when I get there, so we’ll see,” he quips, blending humor with the genuine excitement and slight apprehension of a golfer on the verge of a life-changing opportunity. From driving range instructor to YouTube personality, Peter Finch’s journey is a testament to the unexpected paths within golf, and The Q at Myrtle Beach represents a potentially monumental chapter in his unfolding story.
