What Would It Take to Fix the LPGA's Issues?

[RCF]

Does that mean I'd get to work closely with Paula Creamer? If so, I'll take the job. If not, I'll hold a raffle to see who wins the gig. Donated money would go right into increased purses.

Of course (no pun intended..ok it was intended). Paula would have to serve as a mod or administrator of the forum.

On another note, I sometimes think that the LPGA tournaments are played on lessor courses.

[Elvisliveson]

You're right. For some reason I thought the Evian Masters in France was a major. I guess that's a problem in itself, I watch the LPGA whenever I find it on and I still don't know all the majors!

You are not far off. The Ladies Europeon Tour and the Japan LPGA recognize it as a major. And the Evian Masters offers the biggest purse in Women's golf. Most women players regard it as their Masters.

[ControlJunkie]

in all honesty, women's sports just aren't that fun to watch. except for tennis, it would not be at all a disservice to me if women's sports were not broadcast on television. yes, i know it sounds sexist. but whatever it is, it is reality. if someone handed you tickets to a lakers game and tickets to a sparks game, both occurring on the same day in different places, which would you choose? i rest my case.

As far as the NBA/WNBA comparison, I definitely agree, it's nowhere near the same. I do find the LPGA to be fun to watch most of the time though, because I think golf is one of the sports where the gap between men and women is smaller than basketball. For example, let's say you put Tiger up against Annika (in her prime) or Creamer or Ochoa. Would he beat them? Undoubtedly. But would it be the same amount of domination you would see if you put Lisa Leslie or Sheryl Swoopes up against Kobe or LeBron? I dont think it would. I guess what I'm saying is that while the PGA and the LPGA may not be on the same level of competition, once you get past the driving distances, the women can still hit the great approach shots that the guys do, and can sink the same long putts the men do, and that, to me, makes it much easier to watch than the female equivalents of a lot of other sports. I'm definitely not knocking you for not watching it though, it's all just personal preference.

I dont want to completely divert this thread because I think that there's been some awesome responses, and I hope it keeps going, but when typing up this response, a question popped in my head. Do any of you think that Lorena Ochoa could legitimately beat any of the worst players in the PGA? I just grabbed Ochoa's name since she's No. 1 in LPGA right now, but the same question could be asked of Sorenstam, and others...

[HytrewQasdfg]

Nothing can be done. This is true for all women's sports.

Women (as a group) participate in sports in much lower numbers than men.

Even women that do participate in sports follow pro/amateurs sports in much lower numbers than men.

Among the women that do follow pro/amateur sports, most follow men's sports (there are more women that follow the PGA than women that follow the LPGA.)

Men generally don't follow women's sports.

To sum it up, the fan base isn't there and never will be for women's sports (at least not to bring it anywhere near the same level as men's sports.)

Competition is natural for men, and they enjoy it. I've found a lot of women are actually turned off by the idea of competiton. It's just one of those area's men and women are wired differently (in general, there are exceptions to any rule.)

[1par2win]

I dont want to completely divert this thread because I think that there's been some awesome responses, and I hope it keeps going, but when typing up this response, a question popped in my head. Do any of you think that Lorena Ochoa could legitimately beat any of the worst players in the PGA? I just grabbed Ochoa's name since she's No. 1 in LPGA right now, but the same question could be asked of Sorenstam, and others...[/QUOTE]
I think we got a glimpes of what would happen when Sornenstam played Colonial. Personally I didn't have a problem with the sponsors exemption she received but I was hoping it wouldn't have turned into a train wreck. Although she didn't make the cut I don't think she finished last. But I think if you were to have the #1 player from the LPGA play a full season on the PGA Tour I doubt she would be competitive in the end.

[HytrewQasdfg]

Do any of you think that Lorena Ochoa could legitimately beat any of the worst players in the PGA?

The best college football team couldn't beat the worst NFL team (although last year's Lions might be an exception), but college football still draws tons of fans. Same with college hoops and the NBA.

One thing that might help is to create a marquee event for the LPGA. Most sports have them. A single event that people watch even if they don't follow the sport closely. People do become familiar with a sport this way. Men's golf - Masters Horse Racing - Kentucky Derby NASCAR - Daytona 500 Bicycle Racing - Tour de France College Hoops - Final Four NFL - Superbowl All of these events are followed by even non-fans of the sport, and it does draw in new fans. If the LPGA created a "Lady Masters" tournament (and held it early in the season the way the Masters is), and promoted it heavily as THE women's golf tournament they would pick up some casual fans that might stick. Over time they would build more of a following.

[pjsnyc]

...These ladies have all the shots that the men do, but it just isn't as spectacular. I want to see drives that go 350, and 220 yard 5-irons on a par 3, stuff that I can't do. Watching a women golfer hit a drive 250 and then a 6-iron from 160 is nothing spectacular to watch, I can do that. I am as good as the women on tour? Not even close, not claiming to be, and not even making the comparison. They play great golf, it is just not as fun to watch as the men for me. I am just saying that I want to watch things that I am not capable of doing. I want to see people who can reach a 600 yard par 5 in two, not someone who hits driver/3-wood on a 515 par 5 and gets to the front edge, I can do that.

I kinda agree with this. Its not that I don't like to watch female golfers perform. It certainly isnt because the leaderboard is constantly packed with asian players. Its just hard to get excited watching it. Thats all.

However, I would say that if Michelle Wie finally got a win, the LPGA would get a nice shot in the arm that they could build upon. I do like watching other womens sports though. I mean who doesnt like seeing and hearing Sharapova grunt on each swing or see Jeanette Lee bend over to knock that 9-ball in the corner pocket?

[trumps4]

A lot of good thoughts here but it seems like many of them are putting the cart before the horse. Of course they need to have better TV coverage, but if the viewers were out there, there'd be better coverage already. There must be demand before supply. The networks are not going to agree to televise and then hope that people tune in. I think the first step is to require all players to be able to speak english reasonably well. I know that idea has been meet with much resistance in the past but Americans are simply not going to tune in to watch women's golf if this communication barrier exists. It seems like they have a non-english speaking winner every other tournament or so.

[ControlJunkie]

The best college football team couldn't beat the worst NFL team (although last year's Lions might be an exception), but college football still draws tons of fans. Same with college hoops and the NBA.

I thought about that, but the problem with it is that you're talking about sports where pure physical size plays a huge role in success in those sports. In golf, it doesnt. Strength does, to a certain degree, but it isnt everything. I'll go out on a limb here and say that Villegas is much stronger than Phil, yet Phil averages 4 yards longer per drive than Villegas does.

One thing that might help is to create a marquee event for the LPGA. Most sports have them. A single event that people watch even if they don't follow the sport closely. People do become familiar with a sport this way.

+1 That should definitely be something the potential new commish should do. Good call.

[OnePutt]

Something is needed to draw the 20+ men's crowd, which obviously drives the popularity of men's sports. Some sort of pga/lpga interaction (big names only of course), sex appeal, rivalries, personalities (think TO/Chad Johnson in the NFL). These could all be seen as good or bad for the sport, but all will increase popularity, which in turn increases money, and cycle continues.

On a side note, I absolutely HATED watching golf on TV until this year. When you've played it, it gains so much more interest. Of course I watched the occasional Tiger victory and the ESPN segments, but that's it.

[BirdIsTheWord]

One of two things would help the LPGA. Replace them with men, or dress them skimpy. Then I'll watch..If you want people to watch something, you need some kind of show, no?? Gulbis' calender was a step in the right direction! Who watches women's basketball other than women and the players' family/friends? Same philosophy. (Ugh....typical male, lol).....

[HytrewQasdfg]

Something is needed to draw the 20+ men's crowd, which obviously drives the popularity of men's sports. Some sort of pga/lpga interaction (big names only of course), sex appeal, rivalries, personalities (think TO/Chad Johnson in the NFL). These could all be seen as good or bad for the sport, but all will increase popularity, which in turn increases money, and cycle continues.

Sound like a golf version of pro-wrestling! That could be interesting.

The golfers would all have their characters to play. They could fight and argue before the match. Make bets and dares. I'm ready for the goth/dom golfer to sneak up on the ****ty/bimbo golfer and bash her over the head with a golf bag. Now that I think of it, that sounds like the ladies Big Break shows (which probably draw more viewers than LPGA tournaments.)

[kris]

Men generally don't follow women's sports.

I'm not trying to single you out, because it's been expressed by many in this thread, but I find this a sad fact. I am a follower of the LPGA and a hardcore follower of women's tennis (WTA). There are incredibly athletic and skilled women in both sports and I enjoy watching both. I think it's unfortunate that the women of these sports are not appreciated enough as the men just because they are not as strong, or as tough as the men in those sports are. It is also unfortunate that women players are seen as lesser athletes compared to the men when in fact they are as good of athletes as they can be within the parameters of their sex.

It's just a shame that the majority of people I know (and see here) just brush off women's sports like a little fly on their shoulder, like the competition is inferior just because women are playing.

[golfnz34me]

The best solution to the LPGA's problem is simple: They need to have the American golfers on one team and the international golfers on the other. No prize money is awarded to a player unless the winner is on the same team!

Then to top it off, the international team would be the shirts and the american team would be skins!

I'd never miss a tournament!

[iacas]

And the Evian Masters offers the biggest purse in Women's golf.

I think the U.S. Women's Open holds that honor, actually.

[Elvisliveson]

I think the U.S. Women's Open holds that honor, actually.

They are exactly equal, but the Evian also gives out gifts packages that have been known to contain Rolex watches; no joke.

[HytrewQasdfg]

I'm not trying to single you out, because it's been expressed by many in this thread, but I find this a sad fact.

I don't disagree that it is a sad fact, but it is a fact.

The saddest fact is that women don't support women's sports.

[iacas]

They are exactly equal, but the Evian also gives out gifts packages that have been known to contain Rolex watches; no joke.

Yeah, you're right. Could have checked but didn't think the LPGA schedule would have the purse listed. Duh. My bad.

And yeah, I know about the Rolexes. :) Wonder if Michelle Wie will return hers... heh heh. (her sponsorship is with... Omega, I think).