Golf having the same problem like Tennis

[Fedexeon]

Norman warns PGA Tour's future in trouble
MADRID, Spain (AP) - Technology, money and Tiger Woods are hurting golf, according to two-time British Open winner Greg Norman.

The Australian, who is playing in this week's Spanish Senior Open, said Tuesday that golf will be in major trouble if the U.S. PGA Tour doesn't manage the sport more carefully.

"With fewer and fewer people watching golf in America, the sport has become stagnant," Norman said.

Some U.S. tour events this year reportedly saw significant declines in American television viewership from 2005, such as a 56 percent drop for the Bob Hope Classic, a 50 percent decline for the season-opening Mercedes Championship and a 37.5 percent drop for the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Some analysts have said that Woods being in contention is a major factor in ratings, such as the 22 percent increase in August for the final round of his U.S. PGA Championship victory, but ratings when he successfully defended his title at Doral were still off by 16 percent.

An increase in prize and sponsorship money has put more pressure on players and tournament organizers, Norman said, and that is taking away from the excitement that players such as Lee Trevino and Seve Ballesteros used to create.

"Players need to bring the spirit back," Norman said. "There have always been great players to bring people to the game to lighten it up so that it's not so serious.

"Look at what (Rafael) Nadal has done for tennis because of the way he is, like a boxer. You never hear anyone coming out and saying I want to beat Tiger Woods - I haven't heard that," Norman added. "Nadal comes out and says he wants to beat Roger Federer because he's No. 1 and that's great for tennis."

Norman, who has played little golf - and watched even less - since making his senior's tour debut last year, also said the technology used in making golf clubs should be reserved for amateurs only.

"I have a problem with someone winning a golf tournament without using a driver," Norman said. "The game has always been dominated by power-hitter players, but today you can't tell the difference between the players because of the technology."

Norman said he only watched this year's Ryder Cup after his daughter, who is dating Sergio Garcia, urged him to do so.

"It came down to great teamwork - European players play together, eat together, fly on private jets together and that's for an entire two years, not just for the Ryder Cup, so there's more camaraderie," Norman said. "The Americans are trying to do that now, and I think they're doing better, but their still not there."

The Europeans beat the United States 18 1/2-9 1/2 at The K Club in Ireland last month.

I was surprised to read this. Technologies are hurting golf too, just like tennis.

 

[dozu]

Shifting in the 'spectator sport' landscape is constant and viewership distribution among sports is an ever-changing animal.

Star power always helps (e.g. Tiger, Nadal etc), but the sport itself must be visually attractive to maintain long term TV success. Let's face it:

Tennis is BORING to watch on TV - unless you have Federer on the court... but for the most part, the viewing angle doesn't change, and basically you have 2 players banging x-court or dtl shots monotonously from the baseline.... I don't understand why TV doesn't change it up a little bit. sometimes there are very short few seconds where the court level (instead of the overhead) camera is used, and you suddenly see the movements much faster and violent... the TV coverage viewing angle has not changed for decades, it's time for a change.... true, things like shot-spot are cool, but they are not revolutionary. By comparison, Badminton is a much better spectator sport, because of the varieties and rythm changes.

Golf - this is even more BORING than tennis... again, I am just talking about the TV viewability of the sports itself... you see player do a couple of trial swings, hit the ball, then you have this camera tracking the ball, with nothing but blue sky as the back ground for a few seconds, and the ball lands.... I mean come on, what can be more boring than that. I don't know golf well enough to suggest what can be done from TV coverage stand point.... maybe they need to embed a chip to track the ball, so that the shot can be enhanced and viewed with some background.... again, I don't know.

In contrast, if we think about what has been gaining popularity on TV:

Poker - the camera that reveals the players cards is fantastic and brings so much curiosity and drama factor to the TV viewers.

Nascar - certainly the cars going round and round and round is indeed BORING, but people are there to see the wrecks, which is always exciting.

UFC - a much better viewing experience than boxing, again with the blood and more varieties.

 

[croatian sensation]

Ohhh when I saw the title I thought the problem was one player dominating the tour and making it boring

j/k my friend (judging by your nick I guess I might get flamed for this )

 

[rod_b]

I don't see how it is the same as in tennis. Tiger Woods is not dominating the PGA with equipment. He is dominating it with his skill and superior mental toughness. Phil Mickelson was quoted saying Tiger was using "inferior" equipment in regards to Tiger using steel shafts in his woods and blade style irons. Chris DeMarco, not noted as a long ball hitter but as an accurate ball striker, challenged Woods at the Brittish Open. This is the kind of person that benefits from technology.

Tiger only has Major events on his radar. That's why no one is watching regular PGA events. If Tiger is in contention at a regular PGA event, he'll probably win. Boring!!! (much like Federer). However, if Tiger is one step closer to catching Jack on the all time majors list...that's people want to see. I don't care if Federer blasts everyone at the Acura Classic. I wanna see how he measures up to the all time greats, and if he can catch Sampras' total majors record. That's where the "human interest" lies with these 2 guys. However, If Tiger were to pick up a "Nadal" along the way, then it would be interesting again. But no one on the PGA has consistently challenged or beaten Tiger at PGA events (let alone the Majors).

Greg Norman has always disliked Tiger so it's not suprising to hear him take jabs at the american golfers and especially Tiger Woods.