Should golf broadcasts include more equipment coverage?
Posted at 10:41 AM by David Dusek | Categories:
Twitter
Last night I asked a question on Twitter to the people who follow GOLFcom_TheShop:
Does anyone think that equipment news/features could enhance TV coverage of golf events?
Ken wrote: no!!
puttistry wrote: ABSOLUTELY. List equipment/balls next to the golfer...like what NASCAR does with car model.
Scott wrote: yes, i study equipment in telecast. what are players using is it old/new. and the launch conditions.
What is your opinion. Would broadcasts on The Golf Channel, CBS, ABC and ESPN be enhanced by more coverage and features on the equipment used by the pros?
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Posted by: Alan Brooks | Jun 14, 2009 7:07:47 PM
The OEM's will never go for it. Too much of what they claim to sell their products is, while technically correct, of such a minimal affect as to be virtually useless. The second problem is going to be finding someone knowledgeable and objective enough to discuss equipment meaningfully.
Posted by: John Marceca | Jun 3, 2009 3:13:09 PM
Discussing equipment instead of blathering boring statistics would certainly pique my interest. As it is, I sometimes mute the volume because none of the announcers have anything really worth listening to, not even the color analysts. Devote more time to equipment news, specs, etc. And, while they're at it, the announcers should mention the venue's location when they return from commercial break. How many times do you turn on a golf outing and not know where the course is located? Do the announcers get paid NOT to announce the course's location?
Posted by: Charles J. Strba | Jun 2, 2009 2:22:33 PM
I would like to get info on the lofts and lengths of irons used to produce such long iron shots. Also, What is the difference bewtween a hybrid iron and hybrid metal?
Posted by: bschneid | May 28, 2009 3:46:24 PM
I don't think it could hurt at all to talk about golf equipment during televised match play. People who are watching golf on TV are typically avid golfers. I would love to know about the new technology behind new golf clubs. To hear commentary about the clubs while they are being used would be useful in my opinion. I am currently looking for a new set of clubs and sites like overstock aren't matching the cheap price I am looking for. If anyone is looking for new clubs lets join up and swarm for it at eswarm.
Posted by: Nat Ehrlich | May 23, 2009 5:59:34 AM
No, please God NO. So much of the "knowledge" about what's the right equipment for different golfers is just opinion, and it's like every golf tip ever written -- right half the time.
But it will happen, because it's a great opportunity for equipment manufacturers to suck more cash out of the pockets of ignorant amateurs.
Posted by: Steve | May 22, 2009 3:28:12 PM
yes, just like Tennis Channel "bag check," talk to a player and ask what's in his bag, not just the clubs, what other kind of stuff is in there?
Posted by: Bob | May 22, 2009 9:38:50 AM
why not? the broadcast is so boring now - anything to enhance it is fine with me.
Posted by: Chuck Furman | May 22, 2009 1:46:28 AM
Why not? Every golfer loves to learn about what's new,what works and for whom. It is a fun part of golf thing. It's good for the fans and good for the makers. You want to be careful not to overdue it but besides that,let's give it a try. It sure would beat some of the empty chatter we endure currently.
Posted by: KWag | May 21, 2009 11:10:22 PM
Absolutely not. It's infuriating enough to hear the commentators (booth and on-course) talk through set-ups and shots, and babble on about mundane golf stuff. I watch for descriptions of grips, clubface angles, shot striking. I can watch product infomercials and read the stacks of golf mags if I want gear info. We don't need a 4-day parade of live commercials about products designed for tour pros and not amateurs.
Posted by: ERIK in SACRAMENTO | May 21, 2009 8:38:44 PM
Fitz and Brooks won't be too happy with you stealing their material here. Plus, everyone already knows what the pros play from the best website ever for golf... Golf.com of course. All clubs all the way down to the shaft flex is posted here for the PGA pros.
Posted by: Bill Burke | May 21, 2009 9:06:23 AM
Agreed -- what's in the bag for the contenders/leaders would be a great way to enhance the "profile" of the player. Most people are familiar with the typical gear on tour, but very little is discussed in the shaft category. X100, s300, Project X, KBS etc. for irons and the variety of shafts for woods would be most informative. All of these areas of coverage can be done seamlessly and do a lot of good for the equipment guys and sponsors. Bring it on!
Posted by: Douglas Lang | May 21, 2009 6:13:13 AM
Easy to implement, good for the club makers, no real benefit for the viewer though. Displying the club selection would be cool though and could be compared with previous days plays etc.
Posted by: Justin | May 20, 2009 11:13:32 PM
I like the idea. I LOVE the newer technology, like the putting line, the shot trajectory line- all that stuff. Anything that would keep me interested I'm for.
Posted by: DJ | May 20, 2009 6:52:52 PM
>>"Maybe through a short player's bag feature. One guy a week or something like that.<<"
Yes, I agree. Do a "What's in the Bag?" segment on Sunday, if that player is in one of the last pairings. That would be cool. Shoot a whole bunch on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning while they are on the range so they have plenty to choose from before the broadcast on Sunday. Man, I should produce golf segments for a living.
Posted by: CLNSHRT | May 20, 2009 6:00:57 PM
The last thing I would want to hear from the winner of a golf tournament is incessant thanking of hat/collar/shirt/club/ball/bag sponsors. Nascar interviews are the most boring in all of sports tv. / It isn't hard to see what brands are being played. / The field announcers do a fine job of letting us know the club and conditions of almost every shot. / It would be nice to see the players fill clubs sometimes; 2 iron or 5 wood, 3 iron or hybrid, 2 or 3 or 4 wedges. Maybe through a short player's bag feature. One guy a week or something like that.
Posted by: pk8hdcp | May 20, 2009 2:37:36 PM
I think that would be a great addition to the broadcast!! They could use a simple graphic to display their selected club, yardage to pin, wind direction?... Obviously don't want to over-display but that would still be nice.
Another thing I would like to see more of is the shots from behind the ball before the player arrives to address his ball. I can't remember the specific tournament but a while ago, Vijay and Tiger were battling down the stretch and after they teed off, the camera person would walk up to the ball, pan down to the lie and then pan back up towards the hole. Really gave me more of a player’s perspective. I could just picture myself standing behind the ball looking at the green and committing to the shot as if I were in my own pre-shot routine. With HDTV that would be awesome!!
Posted by: cb | May 20, 2009 2:10:37 PM
If the manufacturers want to start selling more gear, they'll push the networks to do so. I think it would be great!
Posted by: jomama | May 20, 2009 2:06:13 PM
I think any information that informs the viewer about the conditions, yardage, equipment will enhance the coverage. None golf fans don't watch golf on TV. Once the networks figure this out, they will start to make it better for those who play the game to watch and learn a thing or two. Also, no one disputes that TW is an amazing player, but viewers also like to watch more than just the top 4-8 players in the tournament each weekend on TV. Spread the love!
Posted by: Steve | May 20, 2009 1:30:19 PM
Yes, it would be interesting to see how different players play the course from different situations. I know I'll never hit the ball like they do but it would add more depth to the fans perspective.
Posted by: ImaScratchHacker | May 20, 2009 12:37:35 PM
It would definitely add to the telecast. On the tee they should give the model and loft of the driver as well as swing speed, carry distance and total distance. Or the first time they show a player just give a quick run down of what's in the bag and the distances they hit each club. That would be interesting.
Posted by: The Muni Golfer | May 20, 2009 12:09:30 PM
Yes, I think it would add to the telecast. Why are some playing with a 5-wood, others a 2-iron? What are they using their hybrid in place of, a airway wood or a long iron. What kind of ball are they playing? How many wedges are they carrying? Are they carrying the latest equipment or do they still have some old school sticks in the bag?