Does Tiger make Golf boring to watch?

[Cernunnos]

Normally I'd say Tiger makes for boring golf. However with the match between Tiger & Tiny Tim Clark, it made for very exciting watching, mainly because it did get a bit tight & nail biting at times.

TBH I've not really noticed too much coverage over this world championship event of Tiger.

As for David Howell, he does seem to be a bit of a Steve Davis, though he is new to all this & he has already occasionally provided some insight during his commentary.

My question is... Is this now going to be the future career for David Howell..? Are his back problems that bad that his playing career over...? So is it going to be a full time commentator career for him. I know one thing I'd rather have David Howell than Old Wing Nut doing the OPEN.

 

[HarryMonk]

I dont think Tiger makes the game boring to watch, US coverage can do though, I would like to see more of other matches and think sky should maybe look at a multi match, bit like "football first" where we the viewing public can press the red button at select the match we wish to follow.

Anyhow Tiger has now left the building so we should see a few of the others tomorrow!!!

 

[MVP]

I like watching tiger. Dont forget its not his fault he gets more coverage its the sponsors and all the money boys. As much as i rate tiger and enjoy watching him.. it would be nice to see some more of the likes of sergio etc etc.

But is it better without tiger all together .. NO!

 

[OldWindy]

I don't think so but it would be very interesting to see what would happen to coverage if he has a poor season and the protagonists beat him more often. Everyone would like to see the best golfer in the world do his thing but I guess it's just a shame we don't get better coverage cos he's also worth so much.

 

[viscount17]

Not when he proves he's human by stuffing one OOB.

There may come a point this season when the TV producers realise that to have a competition there has to be someone other than Tiger playing. For that reason we need him to miss cuts and as in the WGC, to get beaten.

Note he did not 'lose' he was beaten.

 

[Imurg]

Tiger doesn't make golf boring to watch. its the TV executives who think all we want to see is Tiger who make it boring. Its not Tiger's doing.

Everyone stop watching for a while and they might get the hint.

 

[TonyN]

I can see a protest coming on

With the backing of The UK's best golfing magazine, the powers that be would have to take note

But on a serious note, what would it take to persuade T.V cheifs to even out the footage? A whole lot of wedge? (not of the vokey kind)

 

[forefortheday]

I can see a protest coming on

With the backing of The UK's best golfing magazine, the powers that be would have to take note

But on a serious note, what would it take to persuade T.V cheifs to even out the footage? A whole lot of wedge? (not of the vokey kind)

They won't simple as.

Read an article before christmas that said viewing figures go down by 40% when Tigers not playing.

Tiger doesn't make the TV execs follow him around the advertisers do!

 

[toonarmy]

Read an article before christmas that said viewing figures go down by 40% when Tigers not playing.

Hmm, I'm not sure I buy into all this % of lost viewing figures. I'd like to see some genuinely analysed data on that. (btw not doubting you, just that this has become a very quickly used statement from the media)

It *might* apply in the US, but it sure as hell doesn't apply elsewhere. Let's face it, the game survived quite well enough thank you as far as viewing figures were concerned before 1997. Did the Open or US PGA suffer as a result of him not playing? Does Woods not simply give people not interested in golf a name to know in the same way that most people in Britain take notice of tennis for two weeks a year?

More importantly, should those people (i.e. the non-interested) be the ones that ultimately dictate how our sport is run and televised?

None of this is Woods' fault - he is just the reason, not the criminal. I've long said that it's not Woods I can't stand but the sycophantic drivel that spills out of the mouths of idiots like Torrance who eulogise over him holing a 2' putt.

 

[HogansAlley]

Toonarmy, I don't think 'genuinely analysed data' is needed, mate. The winner's cheques on the PGA Tour skyrocketed when Tiger arrived, the reason? Increased viewing figures. This increase in viewers means advertising is more expensive to buy, which then drives ad revenue and earns the events more money, which then goes into the tournament purse. I suspect he really does make that much difference.

Also, I just don't get how anyone can think that watching the world's greatest exponent of the game is boring. Then again people used to say that about Sampras at Wimbledon. I love watching any master of his/her art. Watching Tiger plot his way around Hoylake in 2006 is still one of my favourite golfing memories. No one else had a chance, it was great. Each to their own I suppose!