"Up next: it's 'The Club And Ball' show!"

[Sherpat]

I got to wondering recently why The Golf Channel doesn't have at least one show dedicated soley to equipment.

I notice that the "Pro Shop" folder gets lots of activity here, and the front page story on the Sand Trap is just as likely to be an equipment feature as anything else.

And outside of TheSandTrap.com, other on-line golf venues spend just as much time discussing equipment. I know guys who surf on-line retailers weekly just to see what they have new every day, even if they don't intend to buy anything. TGW and Rock Bottom could probably capitalize on our obsession and make their sites subscription only, like porn. It's just as mezmerising. Same with brick-and-mortar stores. I can't be the only one who stops in to my local Golfsmith a few times a month just to get my fill of eye candy and dream of possibilities.

Oh, and don't forget the magazines. Who here doesn't pick up the massive "Hot List" issue of Golf Digest every year, or Golf Magazine's "Annual Club Test"? Even outside those annual roundups, the other months' issues always also have their share of individual club tests, ball tests, cart tests, tee tests for godsake, techie features, and on and on and on. You practically expect them to do a scholarly article article on the effects of shoelace material on swing speed one of these days, followed by a 14 page test of all the brands on the market.

And we eat it all up, such is our mania.

But...TV?

Nothing.

Sure, we get the occassional "What's In The Bag" segment, "What's New from Brand-X" mention, and quick hits with Frank Thomas answering general tech questions. But why no regularly scheduled show that revolves entirely around testing, discussing, announcing and explaining how to use the myriad of clubs, balls, matts, rangefinders, gloves, etc. etc. etc. that we all as golfers seem to be obsessed with? It seems like there's not only plenty to talk about, but there's also a built in audience.

The only thing I can think of is that, unlike magazines and web sites, TV doesn't want to risk pissing off advertisers.

For instance, I compete in a specialized type of motorcycle racing called "Observed Trials". It's really a blast, but it's not as popular (particularly in the US) as motocross or road racing. So there are fewer manufacturers who market to us. There are only a handfull of motorcycle manufacturers who even make trials bikes at all, as a matter of fact.

The upshot is that when trials magazines "test" new model bikes every year, they are NEVER critical of any aspect of the new machine. It's pretty much just a re-wording of the company's ad campaign, along with technical specs. Any riding impressions only talk about the positives, and there is never a recommendation to buy or not buy. At most, there might be a sentence along the lines of "this new model fixes the annoying steering head problem of last year". Of course, they never noted the annoying steering head problem in LAST year's test.

Why do they do that? Well, talking to the guys who put the magazines out (there aren't many, and we all tend to know each other) they told me "look, there are basically 5 brands of motorcycles who advertise with us. If we were to tell our readers that the new model of one particular bike was not very good, that manufacturer would stop advertising with us. We'd lose 20% of our revenue in one fell swoop."

Is it the same thing with The Golf Channel? If they were to do a show dedicated to unbiased testing of new equipment, would they worry about economic repurcussions from the likes of Acushnet, et al, if they found one of their products to be inferior?

That's about the only thing I can think of, but it's been bugging me. It sucks that the only equipment fix we can get watching their network is during those seemingly endless infomercial blocks. Why won't they tap into this obvious topic?

Anyone have any insights?

[Golf_Gal]

It'd be nice for them to review the latest and greatest :)

Rock Bottom huh? Haven't checked that out...Mostly purchase from tgw.com if purchasing online!

Uhhhh.....is Rock Bottom Golf only for men!?!? I couldn't find any ladies stuff :(

[NormH3]

In my opinion, there is much the Golf Channel could do. I can only guess that they have a very limited operating budget. There is no reason to show "Golf Central" repeats as much as they do. This morning, I noticed that they had even sold air time to Montell Williams. Not sure what that's all about. I really enjoy the playing lessons with the pros segments.

[Sherpat]

Uhhhh.....is Rock Bottom Golf only for men!?!? I couldn't find any ladies stuff :(

Hi Golf Chick - No, Rock Bottom isn't a men's only establishment. All ya gotta do is click the 'Ladies' tab on the menu and you're in! (Look! I inserted a link right to it! You're welcome.) I know it's hard to see in that cluttered home page of theirs, but it's there :) They're one of those retailers who offer last year's models and closeouts, btw, so you won't find the Latest! Greatest! stuff there. But sometimes you can find really great deals - and specials on shipping and such around various holidays - on equipment that was cutting edge only a year or so ago. And really, those clubs are still awesome. "Global Golf" is another site like that, as well as "GPP" ("Games People Play"). Check 'em all out if you're looking for a bargain. Global Golf has a particularly excellent Used Club section - many of which are refurbished by them before being sent out. :)

[Golf_Gal]

Hi Golf Chick -

I checked out their website and was like, wow, how do you find stuff here :) Lots of stuff on their pages...but I will check them out. Maybe I missed the ladies section because I couldn't find it haa haa...but they're only $5 shipping whereas tgw.com is $6.99 for shipping! Thanks for the link, btw, takes the work out of searching for it myself