Zach Johnson's Shank...

[TN94z]

does anyone else get the impression that when a pro hits a shank like johnson did today, the network almost seems to cover it up? they dont show replays of it like they do of good shots. im not saying they do this all the time, but its just the impression i get.

I don't know. I saw Cink hit a shank out of the bunker and they just kept showing it over and over. Slow-mos of the ball contact...etc.

[pittpanther]

why do networks care about players saving face? whats their agenda?

I doubt that the networks care about the players feelings...

The networks see it in their best interest to have the golfing public think the pro golfers are invincible. Look at the typical broadcast - they cut around from golfer to golfer, showing an amazing long putt, followed by a perfect fairway approach shot onto the green, followed by a 300-yard driver faded around a dogleg. But if the networks followed one guy all day, you would see his chucks, his fat shots, his OB drives, his drops into the lake... You can see by the comments in this thread, that the networks are correct. People say they don't want to see bad shots. They would rather have the illusion...

[TN94z]

I doubt that the networks care about the players feelings...

Then why do they show every bad drive that Tiger hits? And he is their spokespeson

[Shindig]

Yet when Paddy shoots an 8 on a hole (lately, it's once every tournament), we hear about it, but never see any replays of it.

Just a guess: we tune in to see good golf shots and nice birdies or hard-earned pars. If I wanted to see someone make an 8 on a hole, I have plenty of opportunity when I play (my playing partners, of course!

)

[flanagan]

The image you get of tour pros on tv is kinda messed up.

Given that most of the shots are live, do you feel the guys in the truck are Kreskin-like in their ability to know who is not going to hit a shot that will require them to cover it up?

Most taped shots are good shots, for obvious reasons, but that's not always the case. You think at the Masters when Phil misses a two footer (or at this year's U.S. Open), they aren't showing that, of course they are. Johnny Miller hasn't been villified over the years for commenting on good shots. The networks aren't there to put out a "bloopers" reel at every tournament, but bad shots that play into the outcome are shown. Nobody is covering anything up.

[Leftygolfer]

They made a note to show a guy hit a SW half way to the green it was so fat. I can't remember his name but I watched it this weekend and it was horrid. Still made a par though.

[mcfc_nick]

john senden was on the 15th yesterday and was in the fairway with about 70 yards left and hit it about 40 yards and they showed that!

[Leftygolfer]

john senden was on the 15th yesterday and was in the fairway with about 70 yards left and hit it about 40 yards and they showed that!

That is the guy.

[walk18]

anyone catch his hosel-rocket out of the bunker today? wow...i couldnt believe i actually saw him do that...

Tiger's done it, we've ALL done it.

[tim31x]

zach johnson is noted to be one of the worst bunker players on tour as far as sand saves and things like that go. but that was an absolute shank, suprised everyone including himself haha

[just hit it]

Give the networks a break. I don't think they give a rip about the quality of the shot, but try and show what is important based on how the match is playing out, plus a fair amount of filler. Think about how many shots they have to choose from. Except for the last couple of groups, almost everything we see is taped, not live, even if delayed for a few minutes. They showed Sendan because of his standing in the top 30 (proximity of not making it). They showed Snedeker because he blew it! They show most of what Tiger hits, because he is Tiger. He is their ratings king. Heck, they showed him putting on chapstick for crying out loud!

[mcfc_nick]

Give the networks a break. I don't think they give a rip about the quality of the shot, but try and show what is important based on how the match is playing out, plus a fair amount of filler. Think about how many shots they have to choose from. Except for the last couple of groups, almost everything we see is taped, not live, even if delayed for a few minutes. They showed Sendan because of his standing in the top 30 (proximity of not making it). They showed Snedeker because he blew it! They show most of what Tiger hits, because he is Tiger. He is their ratings king. Heck,

but at least he did it well

[just hit it]

but at least he did it well

That he did.

[Chas]

Of course the networks will, and do, show bad shots if it seems appropriate. Take Phil's four shots on the 13th at Torrey South from the same spot about 50 yards from the pin at the U.S. Open (I think it was) to finally get on the green. Pin in front, trying to leave the ball on the edge of a deep false front - catastrophe! Took Phil clean out of the tournament, not that he was doing so well at the time anyway. They replayed those shots a few times IIRC - great TV

Stuff like this comes with the territory (and the big bucks) of being a top golfer. I'm sure Zach can handle it. Like others have said, those guys move on and still score low most of the time. Therein lies the difference.

[enduro]

At the Buick Michael Letzig took a shot with his 3 wood that went about 30 yards on the ground, to his left. An absolutly terrible shot. The kind of shot you would never expect a PGA player to make. But they do. Tigers hit shanks in tournaments. It happens.

[Tupalev]

Agreed - been to a few PGA tourneys and I've seen a few guys hit some worm-burners you wouldn't believe. Whether it makes national TV, that's another issue.