Rory McIlroy has joined up with broadcaster NBC Sports to launch Golfpass – a new OTT and digital offering for golf fans.

This is a new, direct to consumer offering that seeks to combine some of what NBC and McIlroy see as the key needs of the sport’s fans – who, as the golfer points out, aren’t just armchair fans, but very often players in their own right too.

More than 4,000 hours of tutorials featuring coaches and players will be available as well as behind-the-scenes content looking at the lives of professionals and classic footage from NBC’s library of golfing classics.

Alongside the digital delights, however, Golfpass is a facilitator for offline activities for golfers. Exclusive deals are available for those who wish to play on Golfpass’s partner courses – like Royal Portrush, the 2019 Open venue – and there’s also savings on golf clubs and accessories on offer on the platform too.

As part of the launch, McIlroy will also co-host a new podcast, making him very much the face of the venture.

“Golfpass is designed to make golf more accessible and fun using NBC Sports’ portfolio of golf tech and services that help better connect golfers to the sport. Whether it’s video instruction from the best coaches in the world or enhancing the golf experience on and off the course, Golfpass adds tremendous value for golfers,” said Mike McCarley, President of Golf, NBC Sports.

“Rory is the perfect partner for Golfpass, not only because he’s an approachable, genuine and global ambassador for golf – much in the same way Mr. Palmer was – he’s also eager to modernize how golfers engage with the sport in their daily lives, whether watching a screen or with a club in their hand.”