Golf Channel plans to mic PGA Tour players this year

[muttleee]

It won't be live though...which is a shame. I spose they can't take the chance that someone will start effing and blinding the first time they put one in the drink.

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=5991232

 

[freddielong]

Sounds a bit silly to me, why put extra pressure on the players they are not wannabe celebs so why should they have to worry about what they say under pressure, as well as what they do.

I know it wont be played live, but it may get played

 

[TobyRich1928]

Agree with freddielong, bad idea

 

[muttleee]

Apparently the LPGA tour have already tried this but I don't have Sky Sports any more so I don't know if it's been any use or not.

 

[Andy]

Be good to hear discussions between player and caddy.

Andy

 

[Robobum]

If it's not live then I don't think it'll do any harm. I'd imagine that the contract to allow this will have some sort of clause to stop it being used for anything else.

I love listening to conversations between player & caddy. GMac and his caddy on the 18th @ Pebble was brilliant to listen to. Although Phil Mickelson's war & peace discussions with Bones will have to be edited for time!!!

 

[JustOne]

I don't think it really matters as it's not compulsory... I'm sure Bratty would wear one, and smiffy.

 

[Gillespie16]

It would be good to hear what the players, caddies and officals talk about.

 

[HRC99]

I think it's a great idea. It'll be a fascinating addition to the commentary.

 

[Lawrence22]

Another way for Westwood to get himself into hot water me thinks. If he is as honest as he was on twitter recently.

 

[Toby_LeRhone]

I think its a fantastic idea. Professional sport is first and foremost for the benefit of the audience and its entertainment. It would be great to listen into the caddy/player dialogue but I would also love insight into the player-player gamesmanship that goes on.

It reminds me of when they introduced remote monitoring of riders in pro road cycling; riders had their heart rates monitored and displayed on screen. There was much resistance at first as riders did not want to expose their performance to the competition, but it was well received by the viewers so it stayed. Its great fun to watch a professional doing, for example, an individual time trial and seeing his heart about to explode.

 

[bobmac]

It would be good to hear what the players, caddies and officals talk about.

They already have microphones around the players and caddies, but you never get to hear what they say. The commentators love the sound of their own voices so much, they just waffle on, normally about what TW is doing so you don't hear a thing.
Bad idea imo

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

I agree that listening in would be interesting, but if this happens the microphone should be on the Caddy.

That way if a player is talking himself through a shot or simply psyching themself up they aren't feeling too self conscious.

Plus imagine what effect the transmittor, wire and microphone would have on the players swing

 

[Toby_LeRhone]

..what effect the transmittor, wire and microphone would have on the players swing

Wire? What is it, 1985? I'm sure that the multi-billion dollar industry that is the PGA Tour can come up with unobtrusive technology.

If it was up to me tour players and their equipment, including the ball, would be fitted with accelerometers and GPS transmitters. I'd like to know what the player is doing before he does.

 

[Aztecs27]

..what effect the transmittor, wire and microphone would have on the players swing

Wire? What is it, 1985? I'm sure that the multi-billion dollar industry that is the PGA Tour can come up with unobtrusive technology.

If it was up to me tour players and their equipment, including the ball, would be fitted with accelerometers and GPS transmitters. I'd like to know what the player is doing before he does.

Quite! It would be completely wireless.

The NFL (American Football) has players mic'd up every week and these guys throw themselves around for 3 hours without a problem.

I really dont' see it being a problem. The players will be too focussed to worry about it being there and if it's not being played live, I'm sure they have some control over what is broadcast and what is not if they end up saying something they wish they hadn't.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not got a problem with it but not sure what it'll give the viewing public. I doubt we'll see (hear) a caddy being rollocked for a bad club choice when someone dumps it into the water or a pro complaining as he slices one way right into the forest. It'll be pretty mundance discussions about yardage and club selection and these often get picked up by on course mikes anyway