Golf Sixes

[aleph]

Interesting format but I can't say too many good things about the manufactured atmosphere or the course...

[CheckJV]

I like the shot clock and the kids counting down when the clock reaches 10.

[MaccaRayDudley]

It golf meets "It's a Knock Out". Older Brits will know what I'm talking about. There's a link below for everybody else. The letters on the outfits show the country the contestant represents.

 

 

The European Tour have done some god things in recent years (co sanctioned events in the winter months, WGCs, marquee events in the Middle East etc.). However, I don't think this will do much for them. Complete garbage. At best it has the feel of a exhibition event. It's clearly aimed at attracting a new demographic of golf fans. Very phony with a lot of manufactured energy. id like to say can't see it lasting, but look at stuff like the NBA or the Super Bowl. Both are very popular, but rely heavily on the side show and television hype.

[nichho]

 

 

The European Tour have done some god things in recent years (co sanctioned events in the winter months, WGCs, marquee events in the Middle East etc.). However, I don't think this will do much for them. Complete garbage. At best it has the feel of a exhibition event. It's clearly aimed at attracting a new demographic of golf fans. Very phony with a lot of manufactured energy. id like to say can't see it lasting, but look at stuff like the NBA or the Super Bowl. Both are very popular, but rely heavily on the side show and television hype.

 

Seems a bit harsh on the athletes that compete in genuine sporting events such as these. Now if you had said WWE!!

[pheenomz4774]

Soon we'll see players sporting logos for sugar cereals and Marvel superheroes.

 

Is it wrong that I still love these things?

[PGArox]

Smacks of desperation from a struggling tour.

[DavePelz4]

It needed vuvuzelas.

[KingMike]

Soon we'll see players sporting logos for sugar cereals and Marvel superheroes.

 

Is it wrong that I still love these things?

 

Haha. The majority love these things. That's the point of marketing.

[troublelove]

It golf meets "It's a Knock Out". Older Brits will know what I'm talking about. There's a link below for everybody else. The letters on the outfits show the country the contestant represents.

 

 

The European Tour have done some god things in recent years (co sanctioned events in the winter months, WGCs, marquee events in the Middle East etc.). However, I don't think this will do much for them. Complete garbage. At best it has the feel of a exhibition event. It's clearly aimed at attracting a new demographic of golf fans. Very phony with a lot of manufactured energy. id like to say can't see it lasting, but look at stuff like the NBA or the Super Bowl. Both are very popular, but rely heavily on the side show and television hype.

 

With all due respect, I don't think as someone who is a golf fanatic (I assume, by the fact you post on WRX) you are the target demographic for this event. There was a huge effort put into attracting families and people who wouldn't normally attend pro golf events.

 

Having attended in person on one day and watched on tv another day, the event was much better in person. It was great to see all the kids having fun and the players interacting so much with the galleries.

 

The Euro tour tested a lot of ideas at this event, some will stick and some will disappear. As a complimentary event alongside regular tour events then I think they have an interesting product which could grow.

 

I remember the first season of Twenty20 cricket and how many people heavily criticised it for being gimmicky and a fad. It is now the most watched form of cricket in the world and has invigorated a slowly dying game.

 

Let's not judge the Golf 6's just yet.

[KingMike]

"Yeah, golf's cool and all, but how can we make BILLIONS AND BILLIONS off of it? Let's see...."

[dannyuk32]

Found it hard to watch - not for me.

[i*windows]

Really enjoyed watching the sixes, the players and crowd seemed to enjoy the format and it made a refreshing change from the norm

[AndersUK]

It was OK at best and I'm being generous. Difficult to take seriously with Vernon Kay as a presenter. Also, poor spectator support - course looked empty!

 

Form a marketing perspective I think microphones on the players and caddies would offer much entertainment.....

 

If the powers that be are serious about growing the game then they need to invest heavily with golf opportunities in schools. Introductions, free trials, mobile swing studios, notable people in the game attending and interacting with the kids etc.

[i*windows]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/39839444

[MountainGoat]

I thought the whole thing would be stupid, but I found it pretty interesting...particularly the shot clock.

[fawley]

I like that they tried something different. I don't think it was great, but it was a good first effort. Hopefully the organizers / tours learned something from that event and can use it as a stepping stone to improving both alternative and regular events moving forward.

[Bob57]

Really a chore and boring to watch. Can't imagine who came up with this awful concept. Makes the stablegford tournaments look interesting.

[KennyP]

Gave it a chance, but it didn't work for me. Despite all the positive comments from Pelley etc, I doubt we will see it again.

 

I can't see how sitting a kid in a grandstand with a sponge finger, watching largely second tier players is going to grow the game. That's not to say the players who participated weren't great. They really entered into the spirit and should be applauded for doing their bit.

 

The only way to grow the game is to get kids to play it, in some form. Maybe golf simulators hold the answer, with various formats of gameplay?

[Nick6771]

Just to echo what others have said in terms of the European Tour trying to innovate, fair play to them for that. Two issues for me, the weather wasn't brilliant on the Saturday which may have restricted crowd numbers. Also, the players from some nations weren't exactly household names, something to build on for future years possibly.

[TheGulag]

Soon we'll see players sporting logos for sugar cereals and Marvel superheroes.

 

Is it wrong that I still love these things?

 

Haha. The majority love these things. That's the point of marketing.

 

I guess there will now be a different meaning now for whoever gets "sponsored" by Iron Man

[Dave230]

Good things - team format probably worked better than the Zurich Classic because it was trying to win it for your country, not just random pros together. The shot clock, great concept and well worth trying out. Mic'ing up the golfers, and great personalities like Andy Sullivan make it fun to watch.

 

Bad things - trying its best in a part of the year where it struggles to get the best golfers but the field was lacking a bit, could have done with a Rory or Stenson there to really sell it.

The format is a bit strange and I'm not sure I'd rather watch that over the traditional forms of the game. I don't think people don't watch golf because strokeplay/matchplay are particularly boring types of golf or not. A 9-hole strokeplay would be better to watch if you don't want it to go on so long.

Please get rid of D-list celebrity commentators, nobody really wants to hear them.

 

Overall, pretty gimmicky and Sky's promotion of it was a bit nauseating. Some ideas worth picking up on though. I get that I'm a golf fan and preaching to the converted but I still preferred to watch Wells Fargo over it.

[Garush34]

It's not for me but again as someone else said I am not the intended target. It's for families, kids, anyone that doesn't currently play/watch or take an interest in golf. If it means that it has got a handful of kids interested in the game it can only be a good thing.

 

I like that the European Tour are doing different things, and it is what they need to stand out a bit. I just don't want it starting to over taking current tournaments and changing them too much. Do more things in the off weeks, or the start of tournament weeks to attract the new audience.

[mukster]

I think it was/is an interesting experiment. I was hoping for a "Mashed Potatoes" cheer-leading section, however, girls in tight team sweaters whipping the crowd into a slogan screaming frenzy.

[darredondo09]

Tournament format - good

Shot clock - good

Walk up music - I'm a fan so long as players get to choose their music (think baseball) and only on the first tee

Pyrotechnics - forced, skip these next time

"Fans" cheering - forced, but I feel like if you stuck this format in the US at the right point in the schedule you could get sort of the energy that this was looking to create naturally

[dannyuk32]

According to the european Tour, it had a one million euro prize fund.

Who was the sponsor?

You have to ask yourself who actually payed for this?

[Gem]

I frickin' love it........and I'm a traditionalist. Go figure. Looks like the guys are having fun too. Kudos European PGA Tour!!!

 

I am very much a traditionalist myself and didn't like when they tried similar things at snooker over here in the UK but I really enjoyed this format with the golf.

 

My son, who doesn't usually watch much golf (unless they are called Rory) watched the two days of this and loved it.

He really liked the way there were so many matches on the go and there were outcomes all the time.

Normally you only get a winner on a Sunday and for those not into golf as much as people like myself it is probably more engaging.

 

They could maybe even tweak formats with bonus points for hitting inside a circle on the green or holing puts from distance or other crazy but fun things.

 

I wouldn't want all golf to be like this but if it can bring it to a newer audience then why not.

 

In my local area the junior summer league has had to be cancelled due to clubs not being able to field any teams. Junior golf is dying and in 20-30 years golf might struggle when the older ones die off.

[Short Pete]

According to the european Tour, it had a one million euro prize fund.

Who was the sponsor?

You have to ask yourself who actually payed for this?

 

The European Tour paid for this, as well as they will have to pay for parts of the Rolex Tournaments. They want to pee with the big dogs, let's hope they get their leg up high enough.

[dannyuk32]

 

The European Tour paid for this, as well as they will have to pay for parts of the Rolex Tournaments. They want to pee with the big dogs, let's hope they get their leg up high enough.

I'm amazed - the Rolex might work, could be worth it. But this? What a waste. Can't see Pelley giving up on it either with that downlay.