NBC's coverage is godawful

[Mr.Cleeks]

I used to love NBC's golf crew back in Johnny Miller's heyday. But recently they have become unwatchable, the entire flow of the broadcast is choppy, Feherty is way past his prime, and Azinger is less of an analyst and more of catalyst and they show way too many commercials. It's honestly sad to see NBC's golf coverage regress the past couple years. I always preferred NBC to CBS, but CBS has evolved for the better the last 2-3 years. NBC really needs to get there act together!

[NJBigFish22]

Agree 100%. 

[wildcatden]

They should have some guest WRX announcers during The Players this week.

[oikos1]

It seemed like Phil was primed to be the next Johnny.  He yapped and smacked all day in his Phil/Brady vs Bryson/Rodgers match. 

 

That ship may no longer be afloat.

[oikos1]

 

[Greg_B]

NBC has been bad for a while and been in steady decline for the last few years. When they first got the US Open rights in the '90s they really stepped up their game with new production staff and on-air people like Johnny Miller, Dave Marr, Bob Murphy and others. In the years since some of those old voices have departed, others have aged out, and the Comcast acquisition seems to have led to an inordinate focus on cost-cutting, like we have seen with the decimation of Golf Channel. The result is new on-air voices who aren't good, Old voices like Hicks, Jacobsen, Feherty and Koch who have regressed, lots of ad breaks, and a lower-quality production. Yesterday they even had Kathryn Tappen trying to do the post-round interview with Scheffler and it was embarrassing. She isn't bad usually but is very unfamiliar with the Tour and it showed. Why they didn't use Sands as they often do or at least get her some exposure to the Tour first before throwing her in at the deep end is a mystery.

[woodriff]

He’s getting on, but I rather think that Roger Maltby might be good as a cohost. The coverage is t bad, but it’s not stellar. It was obvious that Azinger has his favourites. And one was not the young Victor Hovland. 

[TM_HOYER]

Most of the NBC on air staff is far past their use by date. They need a wholesale change in personnel. When it comes to Zinger, I liked him when he worked for ABC / ESPN. Since coming to NBC he has taken all of the Johnny Miller attributes that made NBC unwatchable and took those on.

[gvogel]

I dislike listening to Azinger and Leonard.  Putting them together is painful.

[golfinbrad]

Been like that for years.  Can't wait til The Masters and CBS takes over.  Rather list to some of the guys working the Puerto Rico Open and the LPGA tment.  

[jimb6golf]

To be honest both NBC and CBS' coverage isn't what it used to be.  Too many commercials makes it unwatchable even for diehards.  And the commentary is pretty poor as well. Azinger isn't very good and they threw Kathryn T into the fire with little prep (she's a hockey host after all).  CBS might have the most commercials of any network and really only shows putts anyway, with little full swing coverage. Not sure what the networks can do but they have to do something. 

[MUNIGRIT]

They should get Lanny to do regular tour. 

[TM_HOYER]

Also the Mastercard ads were crustier than the announcers.

[golfortennis]

9 minutes ago, MUNIGRIT said:

They should get Lanny to do regular tour. 

 

What was that, Billy Ray?

[golfortennis]

5 hours ago, woodriff said:

He’s getting on, but I rather think that Roger Maltby might be good as a cohost. The coverage is t bad, but it’s not stellar. It was obvious that Azinger has his favourites. And one was not the young Victor Hovland. 

 

I agree, and it would also be easier on Maltbie if he got to be in a booth(unless he was this weekend, but I think he is still on course).  But there is the attitude that only a major champion can sit in that chair, so....

 

 

[me05501]

When it comes to golf commentary there are PLENTY of people who would like to have the job. Tons of ex-players, swing coaches, guys calling other sports, etc.

 

You have to assume that the networks are aware of these people. Maybe they've given them screen tests or whatever. And chances are the job is way harder than it looks from our couches. 

 

Why would it be hard? Well...

• There are 7-8 different people who could be on the mic at any given time BUT
• You must avoid cross-talk and interrupting each other AND
• You have to pay enough attention to what's being said that you won't turn around and repeat the exact same thing
• There's a producer or spotter in your ear throughout the entire broadcast which you have to both pay attention to and somehow also ignore a lot of the time
• Every broadcast has a mix of live shots and recorded shots that you'll be commenting on, even when that action doesn't match what you're seeing right in front of you
• You have to have at least some familiarity with every player in the field that could pop up on the telecast that day and the fields are different every week
• For the ones walking the course, they have to be on top of the action but also out of the way

In short, it is way more involved than just showing up and talking golf. 

 

If you want a good example of how hard it can be, listen to live coverage on PGA Tour radio sometime. It's often really bad IMO, but these are the same guys who do it week after week and probably a part of the "talent pool" the networks would pull from if they needed someone fresh. 

Edited March 7, 2022 by me05501

[Chunkitgood]

It’s an indicator of how well the “distance” game gets the attention of viewers when the conversation is about the announcers instead of which random long hitting golfer got lucky that week.

[DavisGoLo]

CBS continues to innovate. Hired a new producer. NBC has no flow, narratives and their talent isn't as good as CBS (even though faldo can be terrible)

[ChipStrokes]

10 minutes ago, me05501 said:

Why would it be hard? Well...

• There are 7-8 different people who could be on the mic at any given time but you must avoid cross-talk and interrupting each other even as you pay enough attention to what's being said that you won't turn around and repeat the exact same thing
• There's a producer or spotter in your ear throughout the entire broadcast which you have to both pay attention to and somehow also ignore a lot of the time
• Every broadcast has a mix of live shots and recorded shots that you'll be commenting on, even when that action doesn't match what you're seeing right in front of you
• You have to have at least some familiarity with every player in the field that could pop up on the telecast that day, and the fields are different every week
• For the ones walking the course, they have to be on top of the action but also out of the way

In short, it is way more involved than just showing up and talking golf

…so you mean just like every other broadcaster who calls sports?

[me05501]

18 minutes ago, ChipStrokes said:

…so you mean just like every other broadcaster who calls sports?

 

Yep. And the internet is chock full of people complaining about the people calling other sports too. 

 

The average person wants to hear someone say the words that are already running through their own head, except out loud. Anything else falls short. 

[ChipStrokes]

1 minute ago, me05501 said:

 

Yep. And the internet is chock full of people complaining about the people calling other sports too. 

 

The average person wants to hear someone say the words that are already running through their own head, except out loud. Anything else falls short. 

haha sounds about right. 

 

i’ve been watching a lot on espn+ lately. christina kim is great. 

 

“here’s what he has. this one looks good…sit!! nice shot.”

 

no fluff or empty words just to fill the dead air 

Edited March 7, 2022 by ChipStrokes

[me05501]

6 minutes ago, ChipStrokes said:

haha sounds about right. 

 

i’ve been watching a lot on espn+ lately. christina kim is great. 

 

“here’s what he has. this one looks good…sit!! nice shot.”

 

no fluff or empty words just to fill the dead air 

This tweet from Luke Donald stuck out to me, especially the idea that the commentator can share whether or not a player should be pleased with how a shot turned out (and how that’s different than criticizing the player). 
 

 

 

[3whacker]

I think Roger needs some corrected vision because Shot Tracer is making him look like an idiot, his call live is not what I'm seeing on the screen or the result..great guy but dont think he has the eagle eyes needed for todays big hitters...we could talk about Zinger ad nauseum, but two wins by SS does not equal flood gates...

[Titleist99]

I usually don't pay much attention to the commentators, analyst or on course reporters but I find......Dan H., Paul A., Justin L., Bones, Rodger, Notah and Ferherty.....

 

All pretty good, all very informative and that's all I can ask for....keep up the good work

[MUNIGRIT]

1 hour ago, golfortennis said:

 

What was that, Billy Ray?

Billy Ray you have been replaced by Colt and Bones when he is there!

[forrester_fire]

Would you prefer Fox's coverage?

[Mr.Cleeks]

Who's ready for a million replays of the "better then most putt" or "be the right club" this week? I love watching the Players and think the course is awesome (16-18 in particular). But it ain't a major and it doesn't have the history of a major

[Mr.Cleeks]

2 minutes ago, forrester_fire said:

Would you prefer Fox's coverage?

Honestly Fox did a better job then they are given credit for. First network to have shot tracer/distances on every shot, a live leaderboard at all times and they actually showed a ton of golf. The announcers sucked and the camera work was sketchy at times but I'd have that over a Jimmy Roberts segment and a million commercials.  

[Hawkeye77]

I like poking fun at announcers from time to time but going on and on and on about it for a day? Mute button, listen to music/read while watching, play Chutes and Ladders with the cat?

 

It’s just noise and pretty vanilla noise.  They aren’t going to let you audition the talent.

 

Costas and Kubek only come along once in a lifetime. 

[Greg_B]

1 hour ago, Titleist99 said:

I usually don't pay much attention to the commentators, analyst or on course reporters but I find......Dan H., Paul A., Justin L., Bones, Rodger, Notah and Ferherty.....

 

All pretty good, all very informative and that's all I can ask for....keep up the good work

Oh man… 😳Roger is good but he used to be great.  Sadly, I suspect he will not be continuing for much longer as a NBC commentator.  Bones is good too but talks way too much and way too fast.  The rest of those on your list range from mediocre to gawdawful.