Masters coverage... lame?

[SubPar]

Last week there was this article about the Masters losing its mojo and it made me realize it is my least favorite major tournament to watch. I think I know why.

Where most major sporting events build the excitement and get you jazzed up about the action, the coverage of The Masters has the look and feel of a wake. The soft guitar and piano music is more suited for a memorial service for the dearly departed than the first major tournament of the year. Jim Nance's voice is like butter covered Sominex . And what's with the endless tributes and retrospectives regarding "Jack" (say His name like you imagine a minister uttering the words "baby Jesus" on Christmas eve) or Arnie or Bobby Jones? Also, is there a more uncomfortable setting that two people sitting upright at slight angles to each other in straight backed chairs in the Butler Cabin?

It's one thing to respect the great players of the past and the revere the grounds at Augusta, but they take it too far. The energy is sucked right out of it by the style of the presentation.

SubPar

[x-forged]

Yeah I kinda agree with you, but I enjoy watching it even though its a little lame with the soft feel-good music and other foofy things. I noticed they weren't you using pro tracer or any other features that they use in other tourneys and i was looking forward to watching their shot shaping around the course.

[apex53]

Well, opinions are one of the reasons I enjoy this site, but I completely disagree... The Masters is all about the tradition, and the music reminds me that for once a year I will get to watch my favorite tournament... I enjoy everything about the broadcast except for Kostis...

[jojoampt]

I agree 100% with the OP. Im all for respecting traditions and all, but I did find it (the telecast, not the tournament itself) a bit un-electric. Im with you all the way on this one OP.

[Bigbuckley]

Honestly i didnt pay much attention to the music but the thing that pisses me off the most is waiting untill 3 or 4 in the afternoon to start showing full coverage. it is just unfortunate that a tournament like this is getting put on the back burner so they can show sportscenter for the fifteeth time in a row.

[Paddymaster]

Last week there was

I think the masters is just like anything that is a little more upscale. There is a certain approach to stuff like the masters that is a little calmer and has its own sense of class. the masters is very sacred and has many memories while the us open can be a little louder and build excitement. its just preference

[Lemay427]

I would like to hit a ball off Nantz's nose while listening to that crap piano music!!!

[Comeback City]

Honestly i didnt pay much attention to the music but the thing that pisses me off the most is waiting untill 3 or 4 in the afternoon to start showing full coverage. it is just unfortunate that a tournament like this is getting put on the back burner so they can show sportscenter for the fifteeth time in a row.

Yeah that was my issue...I mean I think on Saturday they started coverage with Tiger on the 18th and as a Tiger fan that was kind of annoying. I don't think I watched Sat. I really appreciate the 56/60 minutes of every hour coverage though.

[johnL7]

Honestly i didnt pay much attention to the music but the thing that pisses me off the most is waiting untill 3 or 4 in the afternoon to start showing full coverage. it is just unfortunate that a tournament like this is getting put on the back burner so they can show sportscenter for the fifteeth time in a row.

I agree with that completely. The Masters is clearly much more important than the sportscenter repeat shows. They could start coverage around 12 noon, but they waited til 4 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

On another note, does anybody know what kind of TV ratings the Masters got on the weekend?

[apex53]

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/04/13...n-sunday/16654

[LNCHBOX]

It's not ESPN's fault that the coverage began so late. That would be the people in charge of the tornament's fault. Do y'all really think ESPN would choose to not show Tiger as much as possible? The Masters has always ahd the least aount of coverage. It's nothing new.

[David in FL]

It's not ESPN's fault that the coverage began so late. That would be the people in charge of the tornament's fault. Do y'all really think ESPN would choose to not show Tiger as much as possible? The Masters has always ahd the least aount of coverage. It's nothing new.

True dat. Limits are set by Augusta National. It's only been a few years since they allowed any coverage of the front nine at all. As to the OP.......I don't have any problem with the coverage. It's the Masters, not the FBR open. I would like to see more coverage of the amateurs though.....the Masters has always had a special relationship with the amateurs and I think that should be better represented on the telecasts.

[albatross]

The Masters is unlike any other tournament in the world and it should be covered differently. I love how they make it more special than any other major. There's so much history and tradition there and that's such a big part of what makes golf so awesome.

I was at the tournament Thursday through Sunday but I watched the coverage when I got home and I think they did a great job as usual.

[King Norre]

I watched the Masters on BBC (sunday) and it was really great. No annoying commercials - thank God for that, I really hate commercials - good coverage and nice comments. That's all I need

[allin]

The camera coverage is superior to any other major, but I agree that the carefully hushed and respectful tones the talking heads use is getting silly. Remember though the Masters has more control than any other tournament over the telecast. ( Rmember the Gary McCord exile?). USGA, PGA, and R&A; use their majors to fund their organizations. The Masters is only accountable to the club membership, and really only need the tournament to be self supporting. That puts them in the drivers seat.

[SubPar]

Honestly i didnt pay much attention to the music but the thing that pisses me off the most is waiting untill 3 or 4 in the afternoon to start showing full coverage...

You just need to move to California!

The Masters is unlike any other tournament in the world and it should be covered differently. I love how they make it more special than any other major. There's so much history and tradition there and that's such a big part of what makes golf so awesome...

That's no excuse for making it boring with "zen garden" music and all the blahtering every year about Jack, Gary and Arnie. How about some upbeat packages looking back at some of the lesser known winners? It looks like a century from now they will still be rerunning the same interviews with Jack about 1986!

The US Open coverage usually has some energy to it. There is plenty of tradition and history surrounding the British Open, but they don't make it feel like an infomercial for a retirement home. SubPar