Tiger Woods and the PGA Tour's Failure to Promote the Lesser-Knowns

robert

The casual golf fan is the decider when it comes to ratings, Tiger Woods is in contention = They Watch. This is no different in any other sport. Tiger Woods = Michael Jordan = Wayne Gretzky = Dale Earnhardt ... etc. I feel often that the failure within golf is that the announcers are not trying to create a connnection between the fans and the other players.

It is Tiger's job to make people watch, therefore the networks must show him. It is the announcer's job to create an atmosphere which allows the sport to grow, they must promote the other players so that someone home watching who is only there because Tiger is playing becomes interested. Maybe then they can identify with someone else besides the number one star in the sport.

For me (and as many others have mentioned) it is the constant promotion of Tiger within the broadcasts which disappoints me, it is highly unnecessary to use air time to run a bio on Tiger Woods when this could be used to run a bio on other lesser known players. How is anyone going to think "Wow, that guy Bubba is fun to watch" if they just show him firing at a pin and don't tell the guys story, sure we the "Golf Fans" know about him or we know about Aaron Baddeley or Charles Howell III but the casual fan doesn't. People are going to watch Tiger ANYWAYS.

I think this is where golf differs from other sports, there is almost an air of desperation for ratings, a "we better show Tiger or people are going to get bored" attitude is presented. There were millions of people who only started watching basketball because Michael Jordan was playing, but after a while these people gradually saw other players that were great and this is what allows for the growth of any sport.

I give huge recognition to the Golf Channel for shows like Quest for the Card or Playing Lessons from the Pros which don't have on Tiger but show you how entertaining some of these guys on tour can be, the problem is it's mostly golf fans who have the Golf Channel. The Golf Channel producers can't be blamed for this but I do blame someone like NBC or CBS for not taking 20 seconds to show how entertaining some of these guys on tour are in their natural environments.

It was only last week that I realized how funny Colin Montgomerie is, I was watching the Telus Skins Game on TSN (the canadian equivalent of ESPN) and they had him mic'd up and I couldn't believe how entetaining this guy could be and I'm someone who watches golf every week, sure I knew people always said he's funny, but this was my first time actually SEEING it, pretty sad when you think about it.

As a HUGE NFL fan I would urge any golf fan to look at how th NFL promotes it's players of lesser known hype and the correlation there in of the constant expanding fan base. Simple things like having players introduce themselves, players interviewed during games that they are playing well in, not during the post game show, during THE GAME. Allowing the announcer to tell a story about the lesser known player and how entertaining and hard working they are. There are millions of football fans, myself included, who started off as fans of simply one player and grew to make there own decisions about who and what they like within that sport.

This is NOT Tiger Woods fault, he brings the fans in everytime he plays. He can not be blamed for being great or having endorsements and in no way does he damage the sport of golf. It IS the fault of the PGA for allowing their broadcast providers to feed solely on the Tiger Woods publicity and not allow the promotion of the lesser-knowns. The PGA should really look at building a future beyond Tiger Woods. One day he will be gone and where will the game be then if no one knows who else is playing.

Sorry about the long rant, I know everyone will not agree with my thoughts, but the topic about Tiger dropping out of the Buick really got me thinking about this idea and as a fan of all competitive sports and a big fan of golf it is something I see every day and wonder if anyone else sees it like I do.

*Norm66*

I can see your point and agree though I think it's partly just the nature of the game. As a newcomer to the sport (late last summer) and especially to watching it on TV I find it tough to get into some of the golfers because all you ever see is their on-course persona. Golf is the kind of game where most guys don't really show their emotions or personality on the course during competitive rounds very much and that hurts.

Though a lot of folks think it's gimmicky or whatever, I really enjoyed the Skins Game and whatever the other one was with the only the winners of Majors played in. The small "field" allowed more coverage of each player and each of them wore microphones so we were treated to their banter which really isn't all that different from our own on-course banter with our buddies.

*golfchief*

That sounds pretty nice to show the players at the end and middle of the leader board, when most of the viewers that really care about them are their family and friends. The sponsors want their ads on when the most viewers are infront of the TV's watching the top leaders. I would be willing to bet when you get up to get something to eat or go to the bathroom it would not be when the leaders are hitting but when they do show the shot of an unknown player. If you had to pee really bad and tiger was putting you'd wait till he putted, if it was the guy in 60 th place you'd be headed to the bathroom.

*p_funk*

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfchief

I would be willing to bet when you get up to get something to eat or go to the bathroom it would not be when the leaders are hitting but when they do show the shot of an unknown player. If you had to pee really bad and tiger was putting you'd wait till he putted, if it was the guy in 60 th place you'd be headed to the bathroom.

Actually I would just hit pause if I really wanted to see Tiger putt that bad (DVR is the greatest thing ever). I wouldn't even do that because god knows they would show the replay of the putt about 60 times in a row. I believe this is why I can only watch a few holes at a time, because it is Tiger this and Tiger that and Tiger, Tiger, Tiger.

kevin

Agree with robert on this one.

Tiger is and will continue to be the big media draw. I don't fault the networks for promoting him like this. However, it is a golden opportunity to showcase the new talent out there now. I suppose the 80/20 rule could be applied here. 80% of those new fans watching a promo on someone new or breaking through are just going to yawn through it or get up and get something from the fridge and wait for Tiger to come back on. On the other hand the 20% that would actually listen and take an active interest in a compelling story about Bubba Watson, Aaron Baddeley or someone like that are the building blocks the PGA needs to expand the fan base.

What happens if Tiger suffers a major injury and can't play anymore? Without a strong fan base the number of viewers will definitely take a hit.

*lamebums*

I think I mentioned it in the Buick Open thread-- but I actually watched the Buick Open more than I usually watch an event, precisely because Tiger wasn't playing. It's all Tiger this, Tiger that, Tiger everything. I know he's a great golfer and all, but come on guys. Throw in the commentary's kissing the guy's ass every three minutes or so, and it gets old fast.

*Ogg*

It is the "all your eggs in one basket" cliche in real life. I HATE when I hear people say, "If Tiger's not playing, then I don't watch". Just look at last week's Traveler's Championship for a great finish and yesterday's birdie finish for Brian Bateman. Great golf with no Tiger. There really does need to be some better cross-promotion so that golf does not suffer.

*p_funk*

I think I watch more of the Nationwide tour on the Golf channel because of this also. I would like to see the broadcasters go 1 event, hell one round would be great, without talking about Tiger.

*cbe_golfer*

Sometimes I think all this Tiger talk by the commentators is going to cause him to not reach the levels he might go to otherwise.
On another note, what a fine win for Bateman. That's the nicest winner I have seen for a while.