Low Ratings

[Chief Illiniwek]

I don't know if it would happen just because she is an American, but I'm certain that Michelle Wie would have gotten the coverage had it been her instead of SY Kim. The lack of coverage was pitiful regardless of the reasons. Asian media outlets cover the LPGA very well and their good players are rock stars at home. Fan interest is/can be generated by exposure. The buried stories about SY Kim's accomplishments certainly don't help the LPGA and I think it is sad that the vast majority of golf fans in this country probably don't even know what happened last weekend. I don't have the factual knowledge to speak to the "no real fan support" statement but I have spent a lot of time around the LPGA and there are definitely colorful personalities within the sport. I will agree that they aren't being utilized advantageously. So, what a sad situation it is if the reason is simply that they are women.

 

It's not because they are women. It's because the level of golf is simply not the best in the world. And I say that as an LPGA fan. In general, when people want to watch sports, they want to watch the very best in the world. In golf, that's the PGA tour. So the LPGA, like other sports that aren't the "top" need a gimmick. For instance college football does very well thanks to alma mater, regional "home teams", etc. Some people hate to acknowledge it but sex appeal helps, as do national affiliations, but you can't control something like that.

[legitimategolf]

It's not because they are women.

 

Disagree. IMO sexism/chauvinism is a huge factor. I've never seen a discussion involving Web.com tour or Champions tour or Euro tour in which people feel the need to remind everyone that these tours do not feature the very best golfers in the world and are thus substandard.

[Chief Illiniwek]

It's not because they are women.

 

Disagree. IMO sexism/chauvinism is a huge factor. I've never seen a discussion involving Web.com tour or Champions tour or Euro tour in which people feel the need to remind everyone that these tours do not feature the very best golfers in the world and are thus substandard.

 

Yes because people don't even bother to discuss the web.com or senior tour outside of strange instances or rules violations. You've actually helped make my point though. No one says a THING about web.com tournaments and the level of play on that tour is way higher than the LPGA. It's because their only gimmick is it's the up and comers. But people don't care, they'll just wait til those guys make the big show.

[DannyLC]

It's not because they are women.

 

Disagree. IMO sexism/chauvinism is a huge factor. I've never seen a discussion involving Web.com tour or Champions tour or Euro tour in which people feel the need to remind everyone that these tours do not feature the very best golfers in the world and are thus substandard.

 

Yes because people don't even bother to discuss the web.com or senior tour outside of strange instances or rules violations. You've actually helped make my point though. No one says a THING about web.com tournaments and the level of play on that tour is way higher than the LPGA. It's because their only gimmick is it's the up and comers. But people don't care, they'll just wait til those guys make the big show.

 

Then why are you an LPGA fan if you think the level of play is sub-standard?

[Chief Illiniwek]

It's not because they are women.

 

Disagree. IMO sexism/chauvinism is a huge factor. I've never seen a discussion involving Web.com tour or Champions tour or Euro tour in which people feel the need to remind everyone that these tours do not feature the very best golfers in the world and are thus substandard.

 

Yes because people don't even bother to discuss the web.com or senior tour outside of strange instances or rules violations. You've actually helped make my point though. No one says a THING about web.com tournaments and the level of play on that tour is way higher than the LPGA. It's because their only gimmick is it's the up and comers. But people don't care, they'll just wait til those guys make the big show.

 

Then why are you an LPGA fan if you think the level of play is sub-standard?

 

I never said it was sub standard. These are the best women in the world on the LPGA and I enjoy watching. I like watching golf in general.

 

You can try and put words in my mouth all you want, but the fact is the LPGA players are NOT the best players in the world. Neither are the players on the web.com or the Champions tours. And it's why none of them get particularly high ratings, or get much tv time.

 

So don't attack me. I'm one of you guys. I LIKE the LPGA. But I'm also not one complaining that they don't have equal purses to the PGA. Or that sexism is what's holding the LPGA back.

[DannyLC]

It's not because they are women.

 

Disagree. IMO sexism/chauvinism is a huge factor. I've never seen a discussion involving Web.com tour or Champions tour or Euro tour in which people feel the need to remind everyone that these tours do not feature the very best golfers in the world and are thus substandard.

 

Yes because people don't even bother to discuss the web.com or senior tour outside of strange instances or rules violations. You've actually helped make my point though. No one says a THING about web.com tournaments and the level of play on that tour is way higher than the LPGA. It's because their only gimmick is it's the up and comers. But people don't care, they'll just wait til those guys make the big show.

 

Then why are you an LPGA fan if you think the level of play is sub-standard?

 

I never said it was sub standard. These are the best women in the world on the LPGA and I enjoy watching. I like watching golf in general.

 

You can try and put words in my mouth all you want, but the fact is the LPGA players are NOT the best players in the world. Neither are the players on the web.com or the Champions tours. And it's why none of them get particularly high ratings, or get much tv time.

 

So don't attack me. I'm one of you guys. I LIKE the LPGA. But I'm also not one complaining that they don't have equal purses to the PGA. Or that sexism is what's holding the LPGA back.

 

Didn't mean to attack or put words in your mouth, was just curious as to why you consider yourself a fan given your prior comments. There are very few, if any, women that can compete with the best men in their sport. But that doesn't mean they aren't worthy of accolades for great accomplishments. It is my opinion there is some level of sexism and nationalism involved in the lack of coverage for SY Kim's feat last weekend. I say some level because I am 100% certain Michelle Wie would have gotten it. But I have numerous friends that won't watch any sport on TV unless there is an American in contention.

[Chief Illiniwek]

I'm a fan because I like watching golf in general, especially more than your average sports fan. So I watch the PGA, the Euro tour, the LPGA, and even some amateur stuff. Heck, I watch a YouTube channel called golfholics which is just a couple guys golfing with buddies. And I've watched the LPGA enough I've become familiar with a lot of the players and have a rooting interest. I also never said the girls don't give accolades. ALL I'm saying is it's not the best quality of golf you can watch (PGA tour) so for a casual fan who is gonna watch no more than an hour of golf a week, why would they watch anything else?

 

Regarding "nationalism" and how everyone wants to hammer "ignorant Americans" for not watching the LPGA in larger numbers, can someone please point me to a country that significantly supports women's pro golf that doesn't have a rooting interest based off nationalism? The women's euro tour seems extremely weak. I don't know about Australia. Any other random countries tuning into the LPGA in huge numbers?

[bogeypro]

You folks reading too much into it.... It's the lack of marketing and lack of air time. plain and simple. Pretty girls wearing skimpy skirts and playing good golf should sell, but nobody knows its on and when it is, its usually only 2 hours. Also, get them on some well known golf courses!! Pinehurst, TPC sawgrass, Pebble, etc....

[ChronicSlicer]

Pretty girls wearing skimpy skirts

You must be confusing the LPGA with the KLPGA.

[MadGolfer76]

I would actually rather watch the LPGA than most of the other tours. Practical swings that hit the ball online, accurate into greens and good putting.

 

That said, I can see how people view it to be lower quality tour:

 

1) Caddy needs to line you up on every shot and putt.

 

2) Too many tummies showing under poorly fit clothing.

 

3) Too many teenagers finding their way into tournaments.

 

4) No dominant #1 player who stays there for a long period.

 

5) Fairly weak overall American presence on an American tour.

 

6) Too many "girlfriend" moments and promotionals.

 

 

I apologize in advance for saying this, but I think the tour would benefit from finding and promoting a better-dressed group of cutthroat b****es.

 

Put Dottie Pepper in charge of finding some.

[Argonne69]

Thankfully the caddie alignment problem goes away next year with the new rules. Can't happen soon enough.

 

[bogeypro]

Pretty girls wearing skimpy skirts

You must be confusing the LPGA with the KLPGA.

 

When do the klpga tournaments come on tv? Asking for a friend....

[bunker18]

I'm a pretty casual golf fan and my interest in the LPGA came about due to the Solheim Cup and Paula. During a major week I'll check the leaderboard going into the weekend and if someone is contending that I'm interested in I'll try to reserve some time to watch. If not, I'll probably watch a few minutes while taking a break from whatever I'm doing. That is kind of what happened during Ariya's meltdown on the back nine and that dynamic brought me in. I think casual fans like to see a pro trying to work out of an errant tee shot or a great sand save. Endless middle of the fairways and 80% GIR gets dull. Kind of like watching Isner vs Anderson.

 

I think Americans can embrace international players but when half the field is named either Park, Lee,or KIm it is hard to develop an individual brand or personal identity.

[hdr_ric]

It's not because they are women.

 

Disagree. IMO sexism/chauvinism is a huge factor. I've never seen a discussion involving Web.com tour or Champions tour or Euro tour in which people feel the need to remind everyone that these tours do not feature the very best golfers in the world and are thus substandard.

 

Really??!? You’ve never seen posts on this very site belittling the Euro Tour as the Jr circuit with substandard talent overall in comparison to the PGA Tour?? I find that hard to believe. I have seen many such posts.

 

The women are not as good as the guys. That is a fact.

 

I still like to watch the ladies however, especially the good looking ones.

[ChronicSlicer]

I would actually rather watch the LPGA than most of the other tours. Practical swings that hit the ball online, accurate into greens and good putting.

 

That said, I can see how people view it to be lower quality tour:

 

1) Caddy needs to line you up on every shot and putt.

 

2) Too many tummies showing under poorly fit clothing.

 

3) Too many teenagers finding their way into tournaments.

 

4) No dominant #1 player who stays there for a long period.

 

5) Fairly weak overall American presence on an American tour.

 

6) Too many "girlfriend" moments and promotionals.

 

 

I apologize in advance for saying this, but I think the tour would benefit from finding and promoting a better-dressed group of cutthroat b****es.

 

Put Dottie Pepper in charge of finding some.

 

2) Something wrong with a quick peek at Lexi Thompson`s tummy (for instance)

 

3) How does this hurt ratings? And what do you exactly mean by this, you mean amateurs?

 

4) IMHO, this is kinda a good thing, to me it means the competition is good. It would get stagnant seeing Shan Shan sitting atop the Rolex ranking for 4 years.

 

5) I agree with this, although it doesn`t bother me personally. I do enjoy watching So Yeon Ryu, Minjee,Ingee.

 

6) I assume this is an attempt to recruit the kids. I suppose Blair O`Neal in a bikini wouldn`t be very family friendly advertising, although...

[MadGolfer76]

I would actually rather watch the LPGA than most of the other tours. Practical swings that hit the ball online, accurate into greens and good putting.

 

That said, I can see how people view it to be lower quality tour:

 

1) Caddy needs to line you up on every shot and putt.

 

2) Too many tummies showing under poorly fit clothing.

 

3) Too many teenagers finding their way into tournaments.

 

4) No dominant #1 player who stays there for a long period.

 

5) Fairly weak overall American presence on an American tour.

 

6) Too many "girlfriend" moments and promotionals.

 

 

I apologize in advance for saying this, but I think the tour would benefit from finding and promoting a better-dressed group of cutthroat b****es.

 

Put Dottie Pepper in charge of finding some.

 

2) Something wrong with a quick peek at Lexi Thompson`s tummy (for instance)

 

3) How does this hurt ratings? And what do you exactly mean by this, you mean amateurs?

 

4) IMHO, this is kinda a good thing, to me it means the competition is good. It would get stagnant seeing Shan Shan sitting atop the Rolex ranking for 4 years.

 

5) I agree with this, although it doesn`t bother me personally. I do enjoy watching So Yeon Ryu, Minjee,Ingee.

 

6) I assume this is an attempt to recruit the kids. I suppose Blair O`Neal in a bikini wouldn`t be very family friendly advertising, although...

 

2) Not when my wife is cuter. The dress situation on that tour is way too lax, in my opinion.

 

3) They're kids, and not veteran professionals. Perception is that if some 14 year old kid can play, the level of the tour isn't all that high.

 

4) Maybe, but look what Tiger Woods did on the men's tour.

 

5) True. Those are some of my favorite players too, but viewership would increase with a stronger American field.

 

6) Just seems to draw focus away from skill. To me, anyway.