Now that Golf is Fanless: Will You watch?

[redseat]

Until further notice no fans are allowed at tournaments. Only volunteers and it's even less then ever needed.

So, the question is: Will people watch more on TV then they had previously or will they just pass on it? It's a million times better to actually be there in person to see it then it is to watch on TV but now that basically is our only option

 

[Roy Munson]

I'll still watch

 

[TheLonestarDUCK]

If the big names are playing I’ll watch

 

[CaptainStubing]

golf is one of the best sports to play on tv without fans. to me, it will be much stranger to watch basketball, baseball, and football without fans.

 

[redseat]

golf is one of the best sports to play on tv without fans. to me, it will be much stranger to watch basketball, baseball, and football without fans.

True from a TV watching standpoint I can see that for sure. It also is probably one of the sports where fans aren't truly needed... They certainly keep balls in play most of the time however.

 

[Roy Munson]

The only golf events I've seen live are ones where I've volunteered. The Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic and a few Nationwide events at my course.

 

[redseat]

The only golf events I've seen live are ones where I've volunteered. The Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic and a few Nationwide events at my course.

Volunteering is awesome as well. I do the Travelers and the Norther Trust! Sadly this year I will not being doing the Travelers which sucks, haven't missed one in 11 years..

 

[PEOPLESCHICKEN]

Doesn't bother me. The best thing about watching golf for me is it helps me take a nap

 

[Shanemansj13]

No difference to me as a fan

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Until further notice no fans are allowed at tournaments. Only volunteers and it's even less then ever needed.

So, the question is: Will people watch more on TV then they had previously or will they just pass on it? It's a million times better to actually be there in person to see it then it is to watch on TV but now that basically is our only option

I think the Memorial has been cleared for spectators...I don't know if the previous week tourney at Muirfield Village will have fans, but Jack's event is supposed to have about 8,000 per day...reportedly.

I'm going to disagree with you on being there vs TV....I've been to many PGAT events, the PGA twice, the Masters twice, and Augusta National is different...it's such a special place that I would almost always want to be there instead of watching on TV. That said, you see a lot more of the tournament on TV than you ever would in person.

I followed the final group at the 2001 PGA (David Toms) on Sunday and watching Phil and David was exhausting and I'm 6'3 and could see over many of the 20 deep gallery on every hole. It wasn't Tiger like in terms of masses of people running to the next tee, commotion, etc....but it was good I taped it.

I watched the Colonial and it was different with no galleries, but it didn't hurt the golf much....some wicked lip outs did hurt a couple of guys.

 

[redseat]

I think the Memorial has been cleared for spectators...I don't know if the previous week tourney at Muirfield Village will have fans, but Jack's event is supposed to have about 8,000 per day...reportedly.

I'm going to disagree with you on being there vs TV....I've been to many PGAT events, the PGA twice, the Masters twice, and Augusta National is different...it's such a special place that I would almost always want to be there instead of watching on TV. That said, you see a lot more of the tournament on TV than you ever would in person.

I followed the final group at the 2001 PGA (David Toms) on Sunday and watching Phil and David was exhausting and I'm 6'3 and could see over many of the 20 deep gallery on every hole. It wasn't Tiger like in terms of masses of people running to the next tee, commotion, etc....but it was good I taped it.

I watched the Colonial and it was different with no galleries, but it didn't hurt the golf much....some wicked lip outs did hurt a couple of guys.

I did say it is a billion times better BEING there though... As opposed to watching it on TV.

The Traveler's is without fans... The Northern Trust is not allowing fans. I am working both... Well, no longer the Travelers because we would have to work entire tournament and I can not do that

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I did say it is a billion times better BEING there though... As opposed to watching it on TV.

The Traveler's is without fans... The Northern Trust is not allowing fans. I am working both... Well, no longer the Travelers because we would have to work entire tournament and I can not do that

That's what I'm disagreeing with....for me...it's not. It's more exciting being there, but imo you see more golf on TV. Once you've been to a few tournaments...I actually prefer Thurs/Fri rounds because it's less crowds, easier to follow players.

 

[redseat]

That's what I'm disagreeing with....for me...it's not. It's more exciting being there, but imo you see more golf on TV. Once you've been to a few tournaments...I actually prefer Thurs/Fri rounds because it's less crowds, easier to follow players.

TV only shows a few groups and that's about it. Being there you can walk around and see everyone. Just don't get stuck following lets say Tigers group. Yeah Saturday/Sunday is a mess... Try marshaling all of those people

 

[skinzfan]

I was spoiled, I used to go to the US Open every year wherever it was played, corporate tent digs, food, drink, AC, TV coverage. Now that I retired, I haven't been back. Nuts to butts just isn't appealing and with TV coverage on the golf channel starting earlier makes it a tough sell to me.

 

[gob]

No fans? They just recently sold tickets to the Memorial (lower ticket totals).

 

[Myles]

Nope. Never could watch it. Kind of like watching darts.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

TV only shows a few groups and that's about it. Being there you can walk around and see everyone. Just don't get stuck following lets say Tigers group. Yeah Saturday/Sunday is a mess... Try marshaling all of those people

Yeah, but you get to see most of the contenders shots.

I've been in Tiger's gallery a few times and it was sorta fun the 1st time. It wasn't after that...we actually avoided Tiger's gallery.

The most fun I've had at a golf tourney was actually sitting down by the 16th geen at AN and watching groups come thru...we could see the approach to 15, 16 and the tee shot on 17....we follow a group from 1 to 16...then anchored down there with some food and drink...for a few hours.

 

[redseat]

Yeah, but you get to see most of the contenders shots.

I've been in Tiger's gallery a few times and it was sorta fun the 1st time. It wasn't after that...we actually avoided Tiger's gallery.

The most fun I've had at a golf tourney was actually sitting down by the 16th geen at AN and watching groups come thru...we could see the approach to 15, 16 and the tee shot on 17....we follow a group from 1 to 16...then anchored down there with some food and drink...for a few hours.

Yeah that is true. You do see most of the contenders shots.... I just don't think imo you see "more" on tv compared to actually being on the course.

Yes avoid Tigers crowd you won't get anywhere. We have to stop at least 90% of the crowd from moving and by the time they can all the quality vantage points are gone.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Yeah that is true. You do see most of the contenders shots.... I just don't think imo you see "more" on tv compared to actually being on the course.

Yes avoid Tigers crowd you won't get anywhere. We have to stop at least 90% of the crowd from moving and by the time they can all the quality vantage points are gone.

I still think you see more golf on TV, unless you're intently trying to see as much as possible on the grounds. You end up walking a ton to see a little bit of a player's round. I think following a group you like (not TW), or even moreso anchoring down somewhere and watch groups come thru has been my best experience.

Don't get me wrong...if I had a chance to go to the USO or British (never been to either) I would go for the experience alone. But at this stage of life (been to maybe 2 dozen PGAT events, incl 4 majors and the Tour Championship at Eastlake several times) going to a random PGAT event is kinda meh...if some of the people in our group have never seen the pros play in person...I would go.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I was surprised at how well that played for me. Golf is not like college football where the crowd is big part of the experience, it was still a guy putting a ball in a hole. It was weird at first but after a while I adjusted. I was just happy to see REAL sports back and IMO this is probably the best sport to telecast without fans.