Am I the only person that likes golf just as it is?

[Hobbit]

Twice tried to watch it yesterday and gave up both times in less than 10 mins.

What are they hoping to achieve?

Unlike cricket, where the shortened version is played at club level I just can't see that working at golf club level, playing 6's.

Do I want to watch Michelson v Stenson type match or sixes?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Unlike cricket, where the shortened version is played at club level I just can't see that working at golf club level, playing 6's.

My club is already looking at doing something as we have a natural loop 10-14 and up 18. Not sure how it'll play out as the committee are still discussing it. I can see it splitting opinion down the middle. There will be those absolutely dead against it, and others that at least want to give it a go. Not sure it'll work at club level personally

 

[fundy]

Twice tried to watch it yesterday and gave up both times in less than 10 mins.

What are they hoping to achieve?

Unlike cricket, where the shortened version is played at club level I just can't see that working at golf club level, playing 6's.

Do I want to watch Michelson v Stenson type match or sixes?

cricket has basically removed most of the dull bits and left the exciting bits (at least for those with no attention span or deep understanding of the beautiful game )

golf hasnt, its just reduced the volume all still in the same proportions. and still yesterday in the bit I saw there was 5 minutes taken trying to work out what drop was allowed

for me this was too much about gimmicks and cliches and not about focussing on how to make a more captivating shorter version of the game (that may or may not work) presented in a way by sky they think will make it a self fulfilling prophecy (it wont it its current format!)


If theyre serious about it then make some drastic rule changes to reduce what is perceived as slow and faffing, for eg if youre going to introduce a shot clock, do it properly on every shot not as a one hole gimmick. If youre going to introduce longest drive, give a reward within that match (ditto ntp)

Not saying these are right but some options would include: shot clock every shot of 30 seconds, only mark ball once on green and after that continue until putted out, 1 minute to find ball, longest drive moved forward 20 yards, nearest the pin moved halfway to the hole, make the hole bigger to reduce the emphasis on putting (make Delc happy haha), focus heavily on having risk reward holes (short par 3s, driveable par 4s, par 5s reachable in 2 etc but all with hazards etc). Have certain hazards that are automatic loss of hole, play in different team/group sizes all at once. There must be lots more and better thoughts than these instead theyve taken what appears to be a really lazy option with little thought and nothing distinguishingly different

 

[Orikoru]

No one is forcing you to play or watch the other new formats though, so I don't see the harm. Just keep doing what you do, and if the new stuff attracts other people to the game, then so be it.

 

[thesheriff]

It's fine that most folk on here don't like the new format. You're not the target audience.

The Euro Tour was trying to turn the heads of non-regular golfer and the sixes seems to have achieved that.

Sneer all you like but golf as it is doesn't attract enough players so progressive ideas should be embraced.

 

[road2ruin]

It's fine that most folk on here don't like the new format. You're not the target audience.

The Euro Tour was trying to turn the heads of non-regular golfer and the sixes seems to have achieved that.

Sneer all you like but golf as it is doesn't attract enough players so progressive ideas should be embraced.

Agree with this. Numbers playing golf are declining (those commenting already play so this format isn't aimed at you) and something like this will reach a huge audience when televised on Sky. The new format will hopefully attract new people to a sport that is viewed as stuffy and only for the elite by those on the outside.

This isn't meant to replace the traditional game but what's the problem of having it as well as?

 

[bernix]

Heck NO, you're not the only one!
But if a share of golf audience likes different formats i have no dissent to holding them. btw i enjoyed watching the event but i am looking foreward to watching regular tourneys again

 

[Deleted member 15344]

It's fine that most folk on here don't like the new format. You're not the target audience.

The Euro Tour was trying to turn the heads of non-regular golfer and the sixes seems to have achieved that.

Sneer all you like but golf as it is doesn't attract enough players so progressive ideas should be embraced.

Quick question

How did they look to market towards non golfers

Was there any advertising in the local area - nope

Was there anything sign wise to suggest that there is a golf event in the area - nope

What channel was it broadcast - Sky Sport 4 a dedicated channel on a paid subscription that is pretty only watched by gold fans - sorry but it doesn't reach a "huge audience"

Turning heads off on golfers ? I would suggest it made next to minimal if any difference.

The statement "golf doesn't attract enough players" ?

Is that really the case ? What is "enough" - the sport isn't in any danger , thousands are still playing the game up and down the country , many many golf clubs are doing well.

The problem the ET and no doubt golf in general will always have the same issues - it costs money to play it ( that's not going to change ) and non golfers very rarely get a chance to watch it golf or even know it's on.

A short format golf would work - many clubs play 9 hole comps and teams comps etc - that part of it all would work along with timed shots - the rest of the nonsense they tried was embarrassing at times and I can't see how it would attract anyone to the sport

 

[Junior]

I like golf just the way it is, but am up for trying things to make the game quicker...six hole shootouts etc. I therefore didn't mind the golf sixes. But, is the number of people playing golf declining ?

I mean this as an honest question. Most people automatically answer "yes", but I do not know the answer, or I haven't seen any data to suggest one way or the other. The reason I ask this is because my club, and I know of several others in the North West have more members now than they have had in years. They also have thriving junior sections, and receive more requests for visitors, societies etc than ever before. Clubs have been working harder than ever to try and drum up such memberships.

All this came about before golf sixes, so I just was wondering.....is golf still in a 'decline' phase ?

 

[dufferman]

It's true what a lot of people are saying here, showing the event on Sky Sports isn't really growing the game. It's showing it to Sports fans who already have the top sports package with their TV provider... so more than likely they know how golf works and either like it or don't.

I did catch 10 mins yesterday, between rounds, where I watched Vinnie Jones and Vernon Kay have a nearest the pin challenge.

Neither of them hit the green with their 3 attempts.

 

[Dan2501]

It wasn't just shown on Sky Sports though. It was broadcast live on Youtube and Facebook.

I enjoyed the brief amount I watched. Cool format and the players seemed to enjoy it too.

 

[thesheriff]

Quick question

How did they look to market towards non golfers

Was there any advertising in the local area - nope

Was there anything sign wise to suggest that there is a golf event in the area - nope

What channel was it broadcast - Sky Sport 4 a dedicated channel on a paid subscription that is pretty only watched by gold fans - sorry but it doesn't reach a "huge audience"

Turning heads off on golfers ? I would suggest it made next to minimal if any difference.

The statement "golf doesn't attract enough players" ?

Is that really the case ? What is "enough" - the sport isn't in any danger , thousands are still playing the game up and down the country , many many golf clubs are doing well.

The problem the ET and no doubt golf in general will always have the same issues - it costs money to play it ( that's not going to change ) and non golfers very rarely get a chance to watch it golf or even know it's on.

A short format golf would work - many clubs play 9 hole comps and teams comps etc - that part of it all would work along with timed shots - the rest of the nonsense they tried was embarrassing at times and I can't see how it would attract anyone to the sport

I know nothing about the signage used for the event, however seems to have made an impact going by it's coverage in golf media and as a talking point. I don't think the ET got it spot on first time with Centurion Sixes, however I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of it. Lets face it, golf isn't likely to suffer by developing an alternative to low profile. 72-hole bore fest we often see.

"Enough" for the sport to be considered as thriving by general consensus, which it isn't.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I know nothing about the signage used for the event, however seems to have made an impact going by it's coverage in golf media and as a talking point. I don't think the ET got it spot on first time with Centurion Sixes, however I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of it. Lets face it, golf isn't likely to suffer by developing an alternative to low profile. 72-hole bore fest we often see.

"Enough" for the sport to be considered as thriving by general consensus, which it isn't.

I work in Hemel 2 miles from the club and there was nothing , no advertising no signage nothing. Whenever I go past Woburn for the last two months there has been signs up around the roads letting people know about the Open Qualifying happening , then they do the same for the Seniors.

Golf media will talk about it - that doesn't imo suggest that it's made any impact beyond the golf world

If what I saw in regards all the razzmatazz that the ET is a sign of things to come it will imo do damage - if they just concentrate on the golf and get them playing quicker then it will help. They could also sanction some 9 hole shootouts or even a par 3 comp

And is the sport not thriving ? From what I have seen with my club and many others in the areas clubs are doing well

 

[Dasit]

European Tour is failing on retaining talent

I want to watch the biggest names and who I consider the best players.


European Tour I just see a feeder tournament to the PGA tour now. It has an image problem for me. I never watch it but always watch the PGA events every weekend on TV.


Noren and Hatton for example have some success on European Tour last season, and now have setting up bases in USA, which I assume is to make a focus on those events, while just playing the token big ET events.

 

[TheJezster]

Come on Phil!! Golf isn't 'thriving', we all know this, so nonsense statements like that don't help your cause.

The 6's certainly wont do damage to golf, it can only do good in my opinion. How much only time will tell.

It's great they are trying something different to attract a wider audience. Perhaps have the next 6's event limited to just 6 clubs (5 and a putter) and then have the pro's talk about their reasoning too.

We'll see different shots being played and could be fun. I wouldn't mind seeing something like that.

The players enjoyed themselves too, so there is clearly room for something like this.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Come on Phil!! Golf isn't 'thriving', we all know this, so nonsense statements like that don't help your cause.

The 6's certainly wont do damage to golf, it can only do good in my opinion. How much only time will tell.

It's great they are trying something different to attract a wider audience. Perhaps have the next 6's event limited to just 6 clubs (5 and a putter) and then have the pro's talk about their reasoning too.

We'll see different shots being played and could be fun. I wouldn't mind seeing something like that.

The players enjoyed themselves too, so there is clearly room for something like this.

Totally agree. many clubs are struggling to attract (and in some cases retain) members. Plenty of clubs struggling. As for it not getting coverage, this piece on the BBC sport website seems positive enough and they didn't even have TV rights http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/39839444

 

[dufferman]

Come on Phil!! Golf isn't 'thriving', we all know this, so nonsense statements like that don't help your cause.

The 6's certainly wont do damage to golf, it can only do good in my opinion. How much only time will tell.

It's great they are trying something different to attract a wider audience. Perhaps have the next 6's event limited to just 6 clubs (5 and a putter) and then have the pro's talk about their reasoning too.

We'll see different shots being played and could be fun. I wouldn't mind seeing something like that.

The players enjoyed themselves too, so there is clearly room for something like this.

Problem with things like restricting clubs to 6 in the bag is you've got to still get the talent. If you make the event a circus, the names people want to see won't appear. Then you've got an event with a group of golfers no-one knows.

The Master's this year had it's worst US viewing figures for over a decade (IIRC). Many people said this is simply because the final group were two Europeans and the 2nd group with Ricky & Speith in dropped down the leaderboard pretty quickly. Names seem to count for something - so you have to consider what will make the big names play!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I watched a little bit of The 6s thing, but on first glance the quick-fire competitive format is undermined by the players and their caddies spending their usual interminable time on the putting. So if you are going to *******ize the game - do it properly. Put a severe time limit on how long you have to take a putt - let's say 30seconds fromn reaching the green; have a big clock by each green; and get the crowd doing a countdown from when the clock gets to 10secs. In that way players will get their putt hit in the first 20seconds or face the 'trial by countdown'. Am I serious. Well...

And get the players out of 'golf clothes'. They just look like boring old golfers in their slacks and polo shirts. Jeans and tee shirts please. Proper nonsense team names also - Mad Mental Skean Dhus will do for the Scottish Team.

 

[Orikoru]

And get the players out of 'golf clothes'. They just look like boring old golfers in their slacks and polo shirts. Jeans and tee shirts please. Proper nonsense team names also - Mad Mental Skean Dhus will do for the Scottish Team.

Why not chuck in 'strip golf' while we're at it - bogey indicates removal of one item of clothing, make a birdie and you can put it back on. Could be a downside to making too birdies as well, as you amble around with two jumpers, two jackets and three hats on.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

How about each team has a couple of 'mulligans' each round. So for example, they can replay a putt if they miss it. Or have anotehr go out of a bunker - or try and improve an approach, but use em or lose em.

If we are going down this route let's make it sufficiently different so it is clear that this is not golf - it is golfish.