Do We Still Care About Greg Norman?

[colin007]

so, hes on the cover of the new Golf Mag.  why?  arent there any other more current personalities to publicize?  do you still care about this dude?

[imsys0042]

I think much in the same way that I care about Freddy Couples because he's one of my favorite players of all time, or Jack Nicklaus because of his impressive career that we should still care.   Norman is an interesting golfer not so much because of his accomplishments, but what he didn't accomplish and how he didn't accomplish it.   Not particularly relevant to people under the age of 30 perhaps, but relevant to older people.

And since he is anchoring Fox Golf coverage I think it makes it relevant to have him there.  Announcers in general are kind of over-hyped in my opinion.  You could get someone with a good voice who knows golf and he could do a great job, but having a Johnny Miller, Greg Norman or Nick Faldo announcing does still make them relevant since they got those gigs for their golf awesomeness.

[mvmac]

so, hes on the cover of the new Golf Mag.  why?  arent there any other more current personalities to publicize?  do you still care about this dude?

He's on the cover because of his new gig with Fox/US Open.

[jamo]

Never really did care.

[BallStriker]

No

[colin007]

I understand that he's on the tram for the upcoming Open, but that didn't mean he should be plastered on the cover of GM. I say leave it to the big name players. The media shouldn't be the story, ever. Plus he's always struck me as a db.

[Aguirre]

I understand that he's on the tram for the upcoming Open, but that didn't mean he should be plastered on the cover of GM. I say leave it to the big name players. The media shouldn't be the story, ever.

Plus he's always struck me as a db.

I'd ask who reads Golf Magazine anymore?  I mean, I suppose I enjoy ads for $275 golf sweaters that I wouldn't ever buy or wear.

Isn't that a weekly?  They'll probably have a golfer on next week.

Regardless, media personalities in golf (and sports in general) are an enormous part of our experience with the sports.  It's their voices we hear for hours on the weekends at majors.  I'm watching the Pirate game right now.  I listen to these guys for hundreds of hours per year.  Who is covering events, their broadcasting skills, and their personalities are all part of our experience watching the sport.  So I do think they're important.

This is why I read Awful Announcing.  It helps keep me up-to-date on news that will affect my consumption of sports as a fan.

[boogielicious]

so, hes on the cover of the new Golf Mag.  why?  arent there any other more current personalities to publicize?  do you still care about this dude?

You're not asking the right question. "Does Greg Norman still care about Greg Norman?" That is the right question.

I think Greg wins hands down as the most self centered golfer ever.  That is probably why he's been divorced three times.  He was fun to watch, and I like his clothing line, but he must be insufferable to be around constantly talking about himself.

[Missouri Swede]

I understand that he's on the tram for the upcoming Open, but that didn't mean he should be plastered on the cover of GM. I say leave it to the big name players. The media shouldn't be the story, ever.

[quote name="Aguirre" url="/t/82593/do-we-still-care-about-greg-norman#post_1154192"] Regardless, media personalities in golf (and sports in general) are an enormous part of our experience with the sports.  It's their voices we hear for hours on the weekends at majors.  I'm watching the Pirate game right now.  I listen to these guys for hundreds of hours per year.  Who is covering events, their broadcasting skills, and their personalities are all part of our experience watching the sport.  So I do think they're important.   This is why I read Awful Announcing.  It helps keep me up-to-date on news that will affect my consumption of sports as a fan. [/quote] Yeah, big red letters "The New Voice of Golf" got my attention. And not really in a good way.

[Vinsk]

I'd rather hear Mike or Erik. It'd be so refreshing to listen to a swing being analyzed that's actually correct.

[colin007]

@Vinsk How awesome would that be?? Seriously, imagine hearing that on tv, actually correct, science based swing analysis. Norman is a douche.

[joekelly]

Umm, Boggie.  Do you have personal knowledge of GN and his personality outside of the media?  Unless you are his ex brother in law, how can anyone know if he 'constantly talks about himself'?  Someone here, maybe Mike, told of his (Mike's) personal contacts with Phil M, so perhaps you have more than hearsay to offer.

I think GN had terrific ability, did not hear the voice of humility.  I like his clothing gear, and look for it only in the second hand shops.

And regarding TV announcers, if you guys get the chance, tune into a Euro Tour event.  Those commentators are real golfers, discrete, terse and precise.  And, praise be, know how to keep the mouth shut.

[boogielicious]

Umm, Boggie.  Do you have personal knowledge of GN and his personality outside of the media?  Unless you are his ex brother in law, how can anyone know if he 'constantly talks about himself'?  Someone here, maybe Mike, told of his (Mike's) personal contacts with Phil M, so perhaps you have more than hearsay to offer.

I think GN had terrific ability, did not hear the voice of humility.  I like his clothing gear, and look for it only in the second hand shops.

And regarding TV announcers, if you guys get the chance, tune into a Euro Tour event.  Those commentators are real golfers, discrete, terse and precise.  And, praise be, know how to keep the mouth shut.

Even when he is announcing or commenting on other players, the dialog always comes back to himself.  He calls himself a "living brand". If that is not self-centered, nothing is.

[Mr. Desmond]

Even when he is announcing or commenting on other players, the dialog always comes back to himself.  He calls himself a "living brand". If that is not self-centered, nothing is.

Agree.

He is a great marketer. He's probably still pissed that the PGA Tour stole his World Golf Championships idea. From memory (to be corrected I'm certain), they agreed with GN that he would abandon the idea, and then they took it. He should have bargained for royalties.

At least, he will be colorful but will he be relevant? I think that is the question. I do not remember him as a swing guru, only as a great player who took risks and as a marketer. Are we going to hear about how people swung the clubs in the late 80's-90's or is he up to date on technique and equipment? Does he know the players?

[65ross]

Umm, Boggie.  Do you have personal knowledge of GN and his personality outside of the media?  Unless you are his ex brother in law, how can anyone know if he 'constantly talks about himself'?  Someone here, maybe Mike, told of his (Mike's) personal contacts with Phil M, so perhaps you have more than hearsay to offer.

I think GN had terrific ability, did not hear the voice of humility.  I like his clothing gear, and look for it only in the second hand shops.

And regarding TV announcers, if you guys get the chance, tune into a Euro Tour event.  Those commentators are real golfers, discrete, terse and precise.  And, praise be, know how to keep the mouth shut.

Greg is Greg, has not changed in 40 years since he played as young pro on the Queensland circuit , call a spade a spade, and after his stellar career can give what opinion he wants, can any you people hit a 340 yard drive smack down the middle with a persimmons wood.Probably couldn,t do it with a new G30.Look at the last 40 years of golf,piror to 1968 Jack was considered world number 1, since then there been only two people who dominated the number position Tiger for 683 weeks and Greg for 331 the closest to them was Faldo (Sir) and I do not thing anyone will ever get close to those numbers again, so it feel he has the right to refer to himself in comparing other golfers of today. Not bias just know Greg as a fine person.