The Commercial That Changed Everything
You know what they say—sometimes the simplest ideas make the biggest splash. That's exactly what happened here at Mike's Golf Shop when we created what might be the most straightforward commercial in the history of local TV advertising. If you've been anywhere near a screen in the last few years, chances are you've heard our now-famous phrase: "We Buy Golf Clubs."
Yep, that's it. That's the commercial that put us on the map.
What started as a budget-friendly local ad somehow morphed into an internet sensation that had people from coast to coast either scratching their heads or completely mesmerized by its hypnotic simplicity. Today, I (Mike Mixson here, owner of the shop) want to share the wild ride we've been on since that commercial first aired.
How It All Started: Necessity, the Mother of Invention
Back in the day, our marketing budget wasn't exactly overflowing. We were a small local golf shop trying to compete in an increasingly online retail world. We needed to get the word out about something that made us different from the big box stores.
"What's our unique selling point?" I asked during a staff meeting one afternoon.
The answer was simple: unlike most golf retailers who just sell new equipment, we also buy used clubs. This two-way business model helps golfers upgrade without breaking the bank, and it's been the backbone of our business philosophy from day one.
So we decided to focus on that message. No frills, no fancy production, just the straight facts.
The Making of a Viral Sensation
The commercial itself was about as low-budget as it gets. I didn't hire actors or a professional production company. It was just me, a camera, and an idea. I got out in the parking lot with an iPhone and started rolling.
The script? Well, there wasn't much of one. I simply stood there, looked directly at the camera, and repeated our message with different inflections:
I started by greeting the world and telling them who I was.
I told them where I was... my big sign at the time said "Mike's Golf" and the video gets the sign in view.... that is why I say " I am Mike, down at Mike's Golf...... Shop" because the name of the business is Mike's Golf Shop BUT the sign at that time only said Mike's Golf.
I quickly got to the point:
"We buy golf clubs."
"WE buy golf clubs."
"We BUY golf clubs."
"We buy GOLF clubs."
"We buy golf CLUBS."
Each time, delivered with the enthusiasm of someone who genuinely loves buying used golf equipment (which, for the record, I absolutely do).
The whole thing took maybe 30 minutes to shoot. I edited it down to a 30-second spot, sent it off to the local TV station, and honestly, didn't think much more about it. It was just another local commercial that would play between news segments and daytime TV shows.
Boy, was I wrong.
From Local Ad to Internet Phenomenon
About two weeks after the commercial started airing, something strange happened. Our phone started ringing more than usual. But it wasn't just people wanting to sell their clubs—it was people calling to tell us they couldn't get our commercial out of their heads.
"My kids keep saying 'We buy golf clubs' around the house!"
"I woke up at 3 AM with your slogan stuck in my head!"
"My wife threatened to throw out the TV if she hears 'We buy golf clubs' one more time!"
Then the internet got involved. I uploaded our commercial to YouTube, and it spread like wildfire. Before we knew it, there were remixes, reaction videos, and even a few parodies. Some social media influencers used our catchphrase as a punchline. Jimmy Falon mentioned us.
The reactions were all over the map. Some people found it "the most annoying commercial ever made," while others called it "hypnotically brilliant." Marketing professors started using it as an example of "effective frequency" in advertising. Reddit threads debated whether it was genius or madness.
One commenter wrote: "This is either the worst commercial I've ever seen or the best. I honestly can't decide, but I definitely remember what they do"
And that, friends, is exactly what advertising is supposed to do.
When the Internet Comes to Your Door
The real turning point came when people started making pilgrimages to our shop. Yes, you read that right—people would drive hours out of their way during road trips just to visit "that place from the commercial" and take selfies in front of our store.
One couple from Canada told us they adjusted their vacation route just to stop by. A group of college students on spring break showed up wearing homemade t-shirts with "WE BUY GOLF CLUBS" printed across the front.
Our online presence exploded too. Our website traffic increased by over 400% in just a few months. Our social media accounts gained thousands of followers overnight. We even created a ringtone for people who wanted their phones to announce "We buy golf clubs" when they got a call. (Yes, people actually downloaded it. A lot of people.)
Beyond the Catchphrase: How It Changed Our Business
The viral fame did more than just make us recognizable—it transformed our business in ways we never expected:
- Our used club inventory exploded. People from all over started shipping us their old clubs. Our sell your clubs program went from local to national overnight.
- Our customer base diversified. We started getting customers who weren't even golfers—they just wanted to see the place from "that commercial." Many of them ended up becoming first-time golfers after visiting.
- We expanded our shop. The increased traffic and business allowed us to grow our physical location and hire more staff.
- We embraced our identity. Rather than trying to distance ourselves from being "that commercial," we leaned into it. It became part of our brand identity.
But perhaps the most surprising outcome was how it changed our approach to doing business. We realized that authenticity resonates with people far more than polished marketing ever could. The commercial worked because it was genuine—just a local shop owner, passionate about golf, telling people exactly what we do.
Lessons in Accidental Marketing Genius
Looking back, there are some valuable lessons we learned from our viral journey:
Simplicity wins. In a world of complex marketing messages, sometimes the clearest, most straightforward approach cuts through the noise.
Repetition works. There's a reason jingles and catchphrases have been advertising staples for decades—they stick in people's heads.
Authenticity connects. We weren't trying to be anything other than what we are: a local golf shop that buys used clubs. That honesty resonated with people.
You can't predict virality. We didn't set out to create a viral sensation. It happened organically because something about the message struck a chord.
Community matters. The reason our viral moment translated to business success is that we had built a solid foundation of customer service and community engagement long before the commercial aired.
Where We Are Today
It's been quite a journey since that commercial first aired. Today, Mike's Golf Shop has grown beyond anything I could have imagined when I first opened our doors. We've expanded our inventory of new gear and used equipment, launched an improved website, and even started hosting golf tournaments.
We've embraced our viral identity while making sure it doesn't define us completely. Yes, we're the "We Buy Golf Clubs" people, but we're also experts who are passionate about helping golfers of all skill levels find the right equipment.
Our Team Tornado versus Team Bacon Matches have become popular local events. Our videos section now features more than just that famous commercial. And yes, we still buy golf clubs—lots of them—from people all over the country.
The Power of Keeping It Simple
The viral story of Mike's Golf Shop isn't really about a commercial going viral. It's about how sometimes the most straightforward approach can be the most effective. It's about staying true to who you are as a business and clearly communicating what makes you different.
Do we sometimes get tired of hearing "We buy golf clubs" shouted at us by enthusiastic customers? Maybe occasionally. Do we regret creating the commercial that's been described as both "hypnotizing" and "horrible"? Not for a second.
Because at the end of the day, that simple, repetitive commercial did exactly what it was supposed to do: it told people who we are and what we do. The fact that it entertained, annoyed, and fascinated millions of people along the way was just a bonus.
So if you're ever in the neighborhood, stop by and see us. And yes, in case you were wondering... we still buy golf clubs.
Want to be part of our viral story? Visit our shop or check out our events page to see what's happening at Mike's Golf Shop. And if you've got some clubs gathering dust in your garage, well... you know what we do with those.