Women's Professional Golf Has a Problem in the U.S.

[dennyjones]

7 hours ago, boogielicious said:

It is an international sport now. I find it refreshing that the Asian players want to live an play here. I watch because I like to watch good golf.

I don't agree with you that no one cares either. You commented on this thread after all and so have many others. It is never going to get the ratings of the PGA, but that is what the Golf Channel is for.

+1.

The LPGA has a tournament in Ann Arbor.  I go watch because I enjoy watching good golf, whether, men or women. 

[JonMA1]

3 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

+1.

The LPGA has a tournament in Ann Arbor.  I go watch because I enjoy watching good golf, whether, men or women. 

The also play the Meijer tournament in Grand Rapids every June. I care less about who wins than the level of golf they play. Even though she doesn't play, my wife and I have discussed going for a few hours on a Saturday but have yet to pull the trigger. Maybe next year.

[Buckeyebowman]

FWIW, I spent most of my afternoon watching the USGA Women's Open, It's a major. The John Deere is not!

That being said, it was an effort to get too cranked up about the result. With the number of Korean flags on the leaderboard, you might be forgiven for thinking you're watching the Korean Women's Open!

What has happened to American women's golf!? It looks like it's heading in the same direction as American women's tennis, which without the Williams sisters, would be completely dead!

[iacas]

26 minutes ago, Buckeyebowman said:

That being said, it was an effort to get too cranked up about the result. With the number of Korean flags on the leaderboard, you might be forgiven for thinking you're watching the Korean Women's Open!

Really?

I was glued to the TV watching it after playing today. As I type this now the amateur just double-bogeyed 16 and hit her approach shot to 17.

For most of this round, an amateur was leading alone, leading by two, within a shot of the lead, co-leading, etc. That's compelling television. To me, at least.

[Hardspoon]

32 minutes ago, Buckeyebowman said:

What has happened to American women's golf!?

I really couldn't care less what country the players are from.  I've always thought it was weird that they emphasize the flags on the leaderboards (in both men's and women's events).

[Golfingdad]

49 minutes ago, Hardspoon said:

I really couldn't care less what country the players are from.  I've always thought it was weird that they emphasize the flags on the leaderboards (in both men's and women's events).

Funny you say this because I was just thinking the same thing the other day when this thread popped up.  I agree 100% that it just doesn't matter where they are from to me anyway.

Theyre all pretty "American" anyway when you realize that so many of the slightly older ones went to college here.

[ladders11]

Recall that some of the biggest stars have retired - some might suggest they lacked the desire to continue, but I offer that the rewards are not in place to retain them on tour.

Annika Sorenstam (currently age 46), if you think about it, retired with several major wins left on the table. Also the retirements of Se Ri Pak (age 39), Lorena Ochoa (35), and Inbee Park (29), result in the loss of any fan interest they draw. They were all close to their peak in name recognition and marketing when they called it off.

What would men's golf be like, if stars like Mickelson (age 47), Stenson (41), Garcia (37) and Day (29) just retired?

Think about how many interesting stories these 4 guys have provided us in the last few years. Even casual fans might have taken interest in Garcia's Masters win or Stenson/Mickelson in the Open last year. Fans are deprived of this in women's golf because they just aren't incentivized to continue their careers. 

[gregsandiego]

26 minutes ago, ladders11 said:

Recall that some of the biggest stars have retired - some might suggest they lacked the desire to continue, but I offer that the rewards are not in place to retain them on tour.

Annika Sorenstam (currently age 46), if you think about it, retired with several major wins left on the table. Also the retirements of Se Ri Pak (age 39), Lorena Ochoa (35), and Inbee Park (29), result in the loss of any fan interest they draw. They were all close to their peak in name recognition and marketing when they called it off.

What would men's golf be like, if stars like Mickelson (age 47), Stenson (41), Garcia (37) and Day (29) just retired?

Think about how many interesting stories these 4 guys have provided us in the last few year

 

 Even casual fans might have taken interest in Garcia's Masters win or Stenson/Mickelson in the Open last year. Fans are deprived of this in women's golf because they just aren't incentivized to continue their careers. 

Inbee Park retired?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inbee_Park

 

[FinTurma]

Watched a bit of the US Women's Open and was pretty drawn to it! I think the course looked nice, and probably the talk about Trump before the tournament actually brought more attention and viewers to the tournament. 

[NCGolfer]

Not saying it will ever happen, but I would love to watch the women play Augusta National in their own tournament.

[Apoc81]

On 7/13/2017 at 10:24 PM, Valleygolfer said:

I watch the women play on television if it is on but I probably would be disappointed in real life. Although, I could tolerate 18 holes with Jaye Marie Green... I tell you it is a fine line between rooting and supporting the girls vs being labeled a over zealous creep. I was watching a interview of how they were uncomfortable with some of their male "groupies." I'm not sure I should feel bad for the fan or worried for the player.

I think the only golfer as sexy as Green is Paige Spiranac (sp). Wow. I know she'll never be the next Annika or anything, but for beauty, she's at the top of my list. I've seen many of both of their modelling shots. Both absolutely stunning. Saw Danielle Montgomery at a couse in PEI, back before I got hurt. She was playing in the womens LET at the time. We were both at the Links at Crowbush, PEI. She's even more stunning in person. 

[David in FL]

22 hours ago, iacas said:

Really?

I was glued to the TV watching it after playing today. As I type this now the amateur just double-bogeyed 16 and hit her approach shot to 17.

For most of this round, an amateur was leading alone, leading by two, within a shot of the lead, co-leading, etc. That's compelling television. To me, at least.

Damn, I wish I had watched it!

Generally speaking though, absent something extraordinary like that, I couldn't care less about women's golf.  Boring.

[iacas]

15 minutes ago, David in FL said:

Generally speaking though, absent something extraordinary like that, I couldn't care less about women's golf.  Boring.

It's the same as men's golf. It's golf.

Players hit shots close. They make putts. They hit from bunkers. Etc.

[David in FL]

1 minute ago, iacas said:

It's the same as men's golf. It's golf.

Players hit shots close. They make putts. They hit from bunkers. Etc.

I know.

 I watch sports, golf included, to be amazed though.  The women just don't amaze me.  If I want to see someone hit a 7-iron 155 yards, I can watch, well, me...  

Don't misunderstand.  I'm not intimating that they're not many many times better than I could ever hope to be, just that there's little that really thrills me to watch them play.

[Jack Watson]

I don't watch the men much either.  Not my thing.  Only a bit.

[iacas]

13 minutes ago, David in FL said:

I know.

I watch sports, golf included, to be amazed though. The women just don't amaze me. If I want to see someone hit a 7-iron 155 yards, I can watch, well, me...  

Don't misunderstand. I'm not intimating that they're not many many times better than I could ever hope to be, just that there's little that really thrills me to watch them play.

Okay, so you're a size queen. Got it.

[David in FL]

3 minutes ago, iacas said:

Okay, so you're a size queen. Got it.

Well, yeah...!    

Edited July 18, 2017 by David in FL

[Buckeyebowman]

23 hours ago, iacas said:

Really?

I was glued to the TV watching it after playing today. As I type this now the amateur just double-bogeyed 16 and hit her approach shot to 17.

For most of this round, an amateur was leading alone, leading by two, within a shot of the lead, co-leading, etc. That's compelling television. To me, at least.

As was I. As I said before I watched a lot more of the Women's Open than the John Deere, especially toward the end. I was surprised to learn that DeChambeau won it when I heard it on the radio today.

And I was really pulling for the amateur, Choi. She has game, as does the Chinese woman Feng. Talk about laser beam irons! She just couldn't make a putt, and that one hole really cost her.

Didn't mean to sound jingoistic, but I'd at least like to see an American woman's name above the second page on the leaderboard. Have at least one of our ladies in contention. And if you think nationalism doesn't have a place in golf, have you watched a Ryder Cup or President's Cup lately?

And for those who think these women are playing some version of mini-golf, go out and watch them in person. We used to have an LPGA event annually in our area for a while, and we'd go out every year. Saw Nancy Lopez win the first one, and watched the like of Julie Inkster, Dottie Pepper, and Beth Daniel play. They could all hit a ball past me!