Is golf really a Global game?

[Zwick]

It think it's a bit strange to name them World Golf Championships. Because most of them are played on pretty boring US Courses. The matchplay should really be moved around, no one should play golf in the alaska (or anywhere else with a lot of snow ). And you can't tell me that some of the up and coming asian countries don't have the financial power to host a good tournament (like the HSBC Champions in Shanghai).

And to another point, I think it tells a lot about some people if they only watch golf when it's played in the US. Because I'm sure that a WGC in Malaysia (with most of the top 60 players) is a LOT more interesting than something like the John Deere Classic.

[Jspangler]

It think it's a bit strange to name them World Golf Championships. Because most of them are played on pretty boring US Courses. The matchplay should really be moved around, no one should play golf in the alaska (or anywhere else with a lot of snow ). And you can't tell me that some of the up and coming asian countries don't have the financial power to host a good tournament (like the HSBC Champions in Shanghai). And to another point, I think it tells a lot about some people if they only watch golf when it's played in the US. Because I'm sure that a WGC in Malaysia (with most of the top 60 players) is a LOT more interesting than something like the John Deere Classic.

I agree 100% this week's tournament couldn't even find a Corporate sponsor, as its now the Tampa Open. Maybe if they are so concerned with TV ratings and sponsors they should cut some tournaments.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Jspangler

I agree 100% this week's tournament couldn't even find a Corporate sponsor, as its now the Tampa Open. Maybe if they are so concerned with TV ratings and sponsors they should cut some tournaments.

EverBank is sponsoring it. They announced it a week or two ago.

[Jspangler]

EverBank is sponsoring it. They announced it a week or two ago.

Huh, so 2 weeks before the tournament they were still scrambling for a sponsor. I can definitely see why the US gets all the tournaments now.

[Harmonious]

The US gets the tournaments because the top players play in the US. It hasn't always been so, but these days every tournament is televised on a major network, with large amounts of corporate advertising. Almost all US tournaments have huge crowds, weather dependent.

Past WGC tournaments have been tried in Australia, Spain and Ireland. If they had been great successes, they would still be held over there.  But they have moved back to the US. The HSBC in China is the only overseas tournament that has had any staying power. So, Mr. Spangler, at least you can enjoy that one.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Jspangler

Huh, so 2 weeks before the tournament they were still scrambling for a sponsor. I can definitely see why the US gets all the tournaments now.

Give it up. Geez.

Where's the international tournament stepping up to offer something to lure players there this week? Oh, right...

[Jspangler]

Give it up. Geez. Where's the international tournament stepping up to offer something to lure players there this week? Oh, right...

Don't be a cry baby if you don't like the thread don't comment. Now let everyone on the board come run to your rescue. I ask a simple question is golf really a game. Everyone could of quite simply put yes or no. The answer is No. A few countries have love for the game (scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Japan, US, England and maybe Australia) the rest just don't get into it. There aren't many courses, golf clubs are expensive and quite frankly if no one is there to teach you how will you learn. You will see come Olympics time.

[Harmonious]

I think this thread has run its course.

[David in FL]

I just did a very quick count.....of the top 100 ranked players, 18 different countries on 5 continents are represented.  So, is golf a "global game"?  Of course.

Why are most of the of the large tournaments held in the U.S.?  Sponsorships, purses, travel convenience, infrastructure, etc..... all the reasons articulated in the previous responses above.

[newtogolf]

Professional golf is about making money - golfers making money, television networks making money, sponsors making money.  Tournaments are held where there's the most money to be made.  Early in the season there are a few large tournaments outside the US, but once the PGA Tour season is in full swing, the money is here.

The PGA Tour also requires a their tour players to play in a minimum 15 events and there's extra incentive in the form of exemptions if they play in 20, which doesn't leave a lot of room for non PGA Tour events, especially when you factor in travel time and time zones.

That doesn't mean there aren't great golf courses and great fans in other countries, but the money is here.

[Jspangler]

Even United States produces good hockey players, and China even produced Yao Ming. The fact is the United States has 15,000+ golf courses, China has under 1000, India has under 100, Two continents ( Europe and South America) only have about 7000 courses among them. As stated before those players come to the states to play, so again is it really a global sport?

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by Jspangler

Even United States produces good hockey players, and China even produced Yao Ming. The fact is the United States has 15,000+ golf courses, China has under 1000, India has under 100, Two continents ( Europe and South America) only have about 7000 courses among them. As stated before those players come to the states to play, so again is it really a global sport?

Other than football (soccer) name another sport that you think is "global".

[Jspangler]

Other than football (soccer) name another sport that you think is "global".

Track and field

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Jspangler

Don't be a cry baby if you don't like the thread don't comment. Now let everyone on the board come run to your rescue.

Seriously? That's your response? That I'm a cry baby? Okay buddy...

Golf is a global game. The money and the audience are not as global.

And why the hell are we talking about track and field? Cripes.

I agree with Harmonious that the thread has run its course, but I'm not going to lock it. I may, however, restrict jspangler from it.

[David in FL]

Originally Posted by Jspangler

Even United States produces good hockey players, and China even produced Yao Ming. The fact is the United States has 15,000+ golf courses, China has under 1000, India has under 100, Two continents ( Europe and South America) only have about 7000 courses among them. As stated before those players come to the states to play, so again is it really a global sport?

So again.  Yes.

[Jspangler]

You guys are crazy golf is not a global sport, the United States have 50% of the world golf courses and about 55-60% of the golf population while only occupying 5% of the worlds population.

[Jspangler]

Seriously? That's your response? That I'm a cry baby? Okay buddy... :no: Golf is a global game. The money and the audience are not as global. And why the hell are we talking about track and field? Cripes. I agree with Harmonious that the thread has run its course, but I'm not going to lock it. I may, however, restrict jspangler from it.

Is track and field not a sport? Is it not competed globally? Are there not many countries competitive in this sport?

[Harmonious]

A guy comes on a GOLF forum, says he's from Michigan (?) and complains about the number of courses in India and China. I guess the laws of supply and demand don't figure into his idea of globalization. Maybe the solution is for China to build golf courses around the world (even in places where there aren't golfers) so that it can truly be a global game.  Sound good, Spangler?