The Final Answer on Matt Kendrick and Good Good
For fans of the immensely popular YouTube golf collective, the question “Is Matt Kendrick still with Good Good?” has been a persistent topic of discussion, speculation, and confusion. Let’s get straight to the point with a clear and definitive answer: No, Matt Kendrick is no longer a member of Good Good. He officially parted ways with the group in late 2022, and his departure marked a significant shift in the dynamic of the YouTube golf world.
This article serves as your complete guide to understanding this major development. We will delve deep into the timeline of events, analyze the reasons behind his decision, explore what the smooth-swinging golfer is up to now, and examine the impact his exit has had on the Good Good brand. If you’ve been searching for clarity on the situation, you’ve come to the right place.
A Vital Piece of the Original Puzzle: Matt’s Role in Good Good
To truly appreciate the significance of his departure, it’s important to remember the integral role Matt Kendrick played in Good Good’s meteoric rise. As one of the original six members, alongside Garrett Clark, Stephen Castaneda, Bubbie Golf (Tom Broders), Micah Morris, and Grant Horvat, Matt was a foundational pillar of the group.
He was often seen as the calm, collected anchor in a sea of high-energy personalities. While Garrett brought the elite skill, Stephen the hilarious commentary, and Bubbie the raw power and relatable struggles, Matt brought a quiet confidence and an effortlessly pure golf swing. His demeanor made him incredibly appealing to a large segment of the audience who appreciated his more reserved and technical approach to the game.
Matt’s on-course persona could be described as the “silent assassin.” He might not have been the loudest in the group, but his game frequently did the talking. He clinched numerous victories in their classic challenge videos, and his consistency often made him the player to beat.
Fans affectionately remember him for his smooth tempo, his signature waggle, and his ability to pull off clutch shots under pressure. He wasn’t just a background player; he was a core component of the chemistry that made Good Good a phenomenon. His presence balanced the group, and his departure inevitably left a void that fans immediately noticed.
Unpacking the Timeline: The Clues Leading to the Split
Matt Kendrick’s exit wasn’t an abrupt, single-day event. It was a gradual process that sharp-eyed fans began piecing together over several months in late 2022. The lack of a formal, joint announcement initially fueled rampant speculation across Reddit, social media, and YouTube comment sections. Let’s walk through the key moments that signaled the change.
The Initial Disappearance
The first signs appeared in the fall of 2022. Fans started noticing that Matt was conspicuously absent from a string of regular Good Good week videos. Initially, this wasn’t a major cause for alarm. Members had occasionally missed video shoots before due to personal commitments or illness. The common explanation circulating among the community, and briefly mentioned by other members, was that Matt was busy with his personal life, specifically his upcoming wedding. While true, his prolonged absence began to feel different from previous, temporary breaks taken by others.
Social Media Tells a Story
In the world of content creators, social media profiles are often the first place where professional changes become public. Fans began to notice a few key shifts:
- Bio Changes: Matt Kendrick removed the “Good Good” branding and link from his Instagram and Twitter bios. In its place, he began promoting his personal brand and YouTube channel more heavily. This is often the digital equivalent of clearing out your desk.
- Lack of Cross-Promotion: The other Good Good members, who had always been diligent about promoting each other’s content, quietly stopped sharing links to Matt’s solo videos. Likewise, Matt’s posts became solely focused on his own content and brand.
- Radio Silence: The friendly back-and-forth comments and interactions between Matt and the other members on social media platforms dwindled and eventually ceased altogether, a stark contrast to their previously tight-knit online presence.
The Good Good Desert Open: A Major Red Flag
Perhaps the most telling clue was Matt’s absence from the inaugural “Good Good Desert Open” in February 2023. This wasn’t just another week of content; it was the group’s most ambitious project to date—a full-field tournament featuring professional golfers and other major content creators. For a core member to be missing from such a landmark event was almost inconceivable and served as unofficial confirmation for many that a permanent split had occurred. His non-participation went beyond a simple scheduling conflict and pointed to a deeper, structural separation.
The Quiet Confirmations
Without a grand, official announcement video from the Good Good channel, confirmation came in a more piecemeal fashion.
- Garrett Clark’s Acknowledgement: In a livestream or podcast appearance, Garrett Clark was directly asked about the situation. He confirmed that Matt was no longer with the group, stating that Matt wanted to pursue his own path and focus on his personal channel and life. Garrett emphasized that the split was amicable and wished him the best.
- Matt’s Own Explanation: Shortly after, Matt Kendrick addressed the situation on his own YouTube channel. In a video titled “What’s Next…”, he formally announced his departure. He explained that after getting married, his priorities had shifted. The demanding travel and filming schedule of Good Good was no longer aligned with the life he wanted to build. He expressed a desire for more creative control and the freedom to build his own brand, “Matt Kendrick Golf,” on his own terms. He was gracious and expressed gratitude for his time with the group.
Why Did Matt Kendrick Really Leave Good Good? An In-Depth Analysis
The official reason for Matt’s departure centers on a desire for personal and creative freedom, and there’s no reason to doubt that this is the core truth. However, to fully understand the context, it’s helpful to analyze the multiple layers that often contribute to such decisions in creator groups.
The Natural Evolution of a Creator
The primary driver, as stated by Matt himself, was a shift in personal priorities and professional ambition.
- Personal Life: Getting married is a significant life event. The relentless “go, go, go” lifestyle of a group like Good Good, which involves near-constant travel for filming “Good Good Weeks,” can be incredibly taxing on a new marriage. It’s perfectly understandable that Matt would want a more stable and predictable schedule that allowed him to be home more often.
- Building a Personal Brand: While being part of Good Good provides a massive platform, it also means your individual brand is intrinsically tied to the group. Matt expressed a clear desire to build something that was entirely his own—the “Matt Kendrick Golf” brand. This involves creating a different style of content, perhaps more instructional or vlog-focused, that might not have fit neatly into the competitive challenge format that defines Good Good.
- Creative Control: As a member of a group, content decisions are often made by committee or by the group’s leadership. By going solo, Matt gained 100% creative control. He can now decide what courses to play, what format to film, who to collaborate with, and what brand partnerships to pursue, all without needing the consensus of five other people.
The Business Side of YouTube
It’s crucial to remember that Good Good is not just a group of friends playing golf; it’s a multi-million dollar corporation. They have a successful apparel and merchandise line, significant brand sponsorships, and a complex business structure. Whenever a founding member leaves a successful company, business dynamics are almost always a factor.
While there has been no public mention of any financial disputes, it’s a natural part of any business partnership for founding members to eventually have different visions for the company’s future.
- Equity and Direction: Questions about company direction, equity splits, and long-term strategy can create friction in any startup. As Good Good grew from a fun YouTube channel into a major apparel brand, the business pressures undoubtedly intensified. It is plausible that Matt’s vision for his own career no longer aligned perfectly with the corporate trajectory of Good Good LLC.
- Comparison to Other Departures: Matt’s departure was the third from the original group, following Micah Morris and Grant Horvat. Micah left early on to focus on his own channel, which has become incredibly successful. Grant’s departure was similar to Matt’s, citing a desire to pursue his own content and reduce travel. This pattern suggests that as creators within the group become successful in their own right, the appeal of branching off to become the master of their own domain is a powerful and recurring theme.
Comparison of Good Good Departures
| Member | Approx. Departure Time | Primary Stated Reason | Post-Good Good Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micah Morris | Mid-2021 | Focus on personal channel growth | Solo YouTube content, “bomb and gouge” style, collaborations |
| Grant Horvat | Late 2022 | Desire for own content, reduced travel | High-quality cinematic vlogs, collaborations with other top creators |
| Matt Kendrick | Late 2022 / Early 2023 | Personal life changes (marriage), building own brand | Solo YouTube content, course vlogs, more relaxed pace |
Life After Good Good: What is Matt Kendrick Doing Now?
For fans wondering what Matt Kendrick is doing now, the answer is simple: he’s thriving on his own terms. He has successfully transitioned from being a member of a collective to being the star of his own show.
His YouTube Channel: Matt Kendrick Golf
The primary hub for his new chapter is his personal YouTube channel, “Matt Kendrick Golf.” The content there reflects the very reasons he cited for leaving. The vibe is noticeably more relaxed and personal.
- Content Style: His videos primarily consist of course vlogs where he plays a round of golf, often by himself or with his wife, Abby. The style is less about high-stakes competition and more about showcasing beautiful courses and enjoying the game of golf. It feels more like you’re joining a friend for a casual round.
- More Personal Touch: Viewers get to see more of Matt’s personality and life outside of the intense Good Good challenges. His wife Abby is a frequent and welcome presence in his videos, adding a new and enjoyable dynamic.
- Consistency and Growth: Matt has been consistent with his uploads, and his channel has seen steady growth, proving that he has a dedicated audience that was eager to follow him on his solo journey.
Focus on Personal Life
True to his word, Matt appears to be prioritizing his personal life. His content reflects a healthier work-life balance, and he often speaks about enjoying the freedom to set his own schedule. His marriage to Abby is clearly a central and happy part of his life, and he shares that journey with his viewers in a way that feels authentic and genuine.
The Impact on Good Good and the Road Ahead
A departure of a founding member inevitably impacts a group. Good Good has adapted by solidifying its new core. The primary group now consists of Garrett Clark, Stephen Castaneda, Bubbie Golf, and the newer, but fully integrated, member Brad Dalke. They often feature a rotating cast of guests, such as AJ Pujols, to fill the extra spots in videos, but they have not sought a permanent “replacement” for Matt or Grant.
The dynamic has certainly shifted. With the loss of two of the more reserved and technical players (Grant and Matt), the group’s energy has leaned even more heavily into the high-octane, entertainment-focused style championed by Garrett, Stephen, and Bubbie. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is a noticeable change for long-time viewers.
Final Thoughts: A Natural and Amicable Divergence
So, to circle back to the central question: Is Matt Kendrick still with Good Good? The answer is a firm no. He has embarked on a new and successful chapter as a solo content creator, and by all public accounts, the split was amicable and born out of a natural desire for personal and professional growth.
This kind of evolution is not uncommon in the fast-moving world of content creation. What starts as a fun project among friends can blossom into a demanding business, causing individual priorities and goals to diverge over time. Fans can take comfort in the fact that this split has resulted in more great golf content for everyone. You can still watch the thrilling challenges on the Good Good channel, and you can also enjoy a more relaxed, personal style of golf vlog over on Matt Kendrick’s channel. In the end, both Matt Kendrick and Good Good appear to be doing just fine on their separate but parallel paths to success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
So, to be 100% clear, is Matt Kendrick in Good Good anymore?
No. Matt Kendrick officially and amicably left the Good Good group in late 2022 to focus on his personal life and his own YouTube channel.
Was the split between Matt and Good Good a bad one?
There is no public evidence to suggest the split was anything but amicable. Both Matt and the remaining Good Good members have spoken about it in positive terms, wishing each other well. The departure was framed as a mutual decision based on Matt’s evolving life priorities.
Do Matt Kendrick and the Good Good guys still hang out?
Publicly, they do not appear to interact or collaborate. This is fairly standard when professional partnerships dissolve. Their lives and incredibly busy filming schedules have simply taken them in different directions. It doesn’t necessarily indicate any bad blood.
Where can I watch Matt Kendrick’s new videos?
You can find all of his new content on his personal YouTube channel, which is called “Matt Kendrick Golf.”
Who is considered the current core of Good Good?
The current core members of Good Good who appear in nearly every video are Garrett Clark, Stephen Castaneda, Tom “Bubbie Golf” Broders, and Brad Dalke.