PGA Tour

[braincramp52]

I've been playing and watching golf now for close to 30 years and I have never seen a time when there are so damn many players every week that have a chance to win. From 19 years old to 50 it's a crap shoot on who's going to win. This is a fantastic time to be a golf fan.

[Llortamaisey]

It's funny because I think most people would say exactly what you said. There's something about having a bunch of under dogs in contention that make it a crap shoot. I know I like it as a golf fan.

However, the numbers and statistics prove otherwise. Whenever a golf tournament has the favorite in contention and its not a crap shoot, tournaments get better ratings. That's why it's important for Tiger to make the cut every weekend.

Other sports are the same way. Everybody says they like a crap shoot in the NFL, NBA, or MLB but clearly people like it better when the best teams and biggest stars are winning and ratings prove that.

What people say and what people act upon can often be two different things.

[braincramp52]

I know what you mean.Personally,back when Tiger was dominateing if he had a 4 or 5 stroke lead going into Sunday I wouldn't even watch the last round because I knew it was over.

[dkaar]

This plays into the whole concept that it is much more difficult for Tiger to win due to the amount of contenders on any given day. I wasn't around when Jack was dominating so I can't form a personal opinion. However, from what you guys are saying, this is true. This in turn makes it that much more difficult to compare Tiger to Jack. In a way, the tour is like an apple now, where it was an orange when Jack played.

[imakaveli]

[quote name='lawsonman' timestamp='1362751154' post='6570235']
I know what you mean.Personally,back when Tiger was dominateing if he had a 4 or 5 stroke lead going into Sunday I wouldn't even watch the last round because I knew it was over.
[/quote]

Wow, really? You missed a lot of good golf and some surprises as well!

[Shankopottamus]

[quote name='dkaar' timestamp='1362752310' post='6570345']
This plays into the whole concept that it is much more difficult for Tiger to win due to the amount of contenders on any given day. I wasn't around when Jack was dominating so I can't form a personal opinion. However, from what you guys are saying, this is true. This in turn makes it that much more difficult to compare Tiger to Jack. In a way, the tour is like an apple now, where it was an orange when Jack played.
[/quote]
It was difficult to win a golf tournament in Bobby Jones' day, too. Some knowledgeable people on here have provided statistics about the percentage drop off in winning once a golfer hits a certain age that is holding true for Tiger. They ALL can play great or poorly any given week which has been the case since the beginning. It is popular for older generations to look nostagically at the past as the best era and for the younger to do the same today. What Jack, Tiger, Snead, Hogan, Jones and others I'm sure I'm neglecting did was and is simply amazing. In a sea of exceptional talent they were just better more often. The real difference I sense today is the constant scrutinty by the mass media and public that adds pressure that didn't exist to this extent in the pre-1990's.

[dkaar]

^ well stated and I agree with the whole media thing.

[braincramp52]

[quote name='imakaveli' timestamp='1362752411' post='6570357']
[quote name='lawsonman' timestamp='1362751154' post='6570235']
I know what you mean.Personally,back when Tiger was dominateing if he had a 4 or 5 stroke lead going into Sunday I wouldn't even watch the last round because I knew it was over.
[/quote]

Wow, really? You missed a lot of good golf and some surprises as well!
[/quote]

I don't remember too many guys coming back from 4 or 5 strokes down to Tiger that ended up winning. But I'm sure you're right about missing some good golf. I'm just not interested in watching blowouts by anybody. I'd rather be out playing.

[Dpavs]

I agree that this is a great time in and for golf...I have to agree with what else has been said here regarding when a lot of folks will watch.. I think (can't prove it) there is big difference in what golfers find great about golf and watching it and what more casual spectators or very casual golfers are interested in and... of course from a networks perspective .. whatever draws a crowd is what is most important to them, so.... Can you guess which they prefer?
Network Math:Viewers=Ratings=$$$$ from commercials

[i][url="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001520/"]Shooter McGavin[/url][/i]: You know what *else* could draw a crowd? A golfer with an arm growing out of his a&*.

[imakaveli]

[quote name='lawsonman' timestamp='1362783457' post='6573777']
[quote name='imakaveli' timestamp='1362752411' post='6570357']
[quote name='lawsonman' timestamp='1362751154' post='6570235']
I know what you mean.Personally,back when Tiger was dominateing if he had a 4 or 5 stroke lead going into Sunday I wouldn't even watch the last round because I knew it was over.
[/quote]

Wow, really? You missed a lot of good golf and some surprises as well!
[/quote]

I don't remember too many guys coming back from 4 or 5 strokes down to Tiger that ended up winning. But I'm sure you're right about missing some good golf. I'm just not interested in watching blowouts by anybody. I'd rather be out playing.
[/quote]

In fact I didn't say [i]too many[/i], I said [i]some[/i]