LPGA Morgan Pressel as commentator

[Argonne69]

7 hours ago, Dazgore said:

Maybe dub over her voice with a more pleasaant sound.... something like fingernails scratching a black/chalk board for example.

 

'Always found the sound of a Dalek soothing.

 

 

[Keyser Sфze]

I like Morgan, she seems like a nice person that means well!

 

 

 

 

 

 

*ducks*

Edited March 30 by Keyser Sфze

[SEP1006]

27 minutes ago, Keyser Sфze said:

I like Morgan, she seems like a nice person that means well!

 

 

 

 

 

 

*ducks*

 

 

I have no doubt she's a nice person. She just has no business being a golf commentator. REALLY BAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

[imkirby34]

I'm waiting for someone to come out with a video of her commentary dubbed like one of those classic Saturday afternoon Kung Fu Theater movies, asynchronous and all.

[bobfoster]

On 6/4/2022 at 6:12 PM, postfold said:

 

I like Paige most of the time but she's driving me crazy this week with the giggling.  

 

Morgan continues to get better.  I can believe that she's putting in the work.  She's going to be around for a long time.

I agree. I suspect from the outside, being on-air talent seems like just ... talking about golf. Like anyone reasonably knowledgeable about the game - most especially some one that has been on Tour - could do it. How hard could it be?

 

But really, it is an entirely separate (and incredibly complex) skill set. Involves "presence" (a sort of undefinable, unteachable thing that people either have or don't have - she has it). It is about way more than just knowing golf. My favorite on the LPGAT right now is the Lyds. In love with her swing. Her career. One of the best golfers of her generation (if not the best). Want to see that final HoF win this year. Knows the technical aspects of golf as well as anyone on tour. And I also think she'd be a complete disaster in the booth. 

 

An announcer needs to have a distinct POV, that needs to have somewhat firm opinions, but can neither be too obsequious (Morgan gets accused of that), nor too aggressive and antagonistic (e.g., Chamblee - the announcer's opinions are never supposed to be more of the story than the golf is). It is a very fine line. Has to learn the timing and rhythms of broadcasts, and interactions with other announcers. Broadcast teams need to come off as fluid and seamless, need to feel (to viewers) like they are just having free-flowing conversations ... like they just bounce naturally between watching and reporting on individual shots, peppered in between with stats and historical factoids and background info (about everything from the individual players to the course itself), occasionally really nuanced rules discussions, and then fleshed out and filled in with color commentary and announcer opinions. It may feel natural and smooth and easy when you watch it - but a whole lot of stuff goes on behind the scenes to orchestrate that, and it requires serious self-awareness and situational awareness on the part of announcers to do it well. 

 

Part of what makes a good golf broadcaster is just kind of natural born talent. But other aspects of it have to be learned - that talent has to be honed and refined and focused. The mechanics of broadcasting are getting ever more complex. Doesn't happen overnight. Personally, I do think she has a sort of knack for it. And I also think she is getting better. She is learning. Getting a bit more polished with every tourney she works. It is incremental, but it is noticeable. She is clearly taking it every bit as seriously as she took her golf. 

 

I get that we live in immediate gratification times. We're fine with golfers playing college golf, then the KF, then rising in the ranks of the PGAT - or women doing college, then the Epson, then climbing the LPGAT. But we expect announcers to somehow just step into the booth and be flawless and amazing on day one. Doesn't work that way. Announcing golf is every bit as complex of an artform as playing golf is. 

 

IMO, one of the greatest golf commentators of the modern era (male or female) is Dottie Pepper. Great pro career. Transitioned from golfer to announcing in 2005. But she was also kind of raw and just a little insecure at first as well. But in the years since, she just became superlative. Perfect tone. Perfect perspective - a no-nonsense attitude that both deeply honored (and knew) the traditions of the game, while being totally open to and aware of the current cutting edge of it. Full understanding of broadcast mechanics. Adept both on the course and in the tower. Almost universally respected by both players and fans (other than the "choking freaking dogs" quip at the Solheim in 2007 when she thought the mic had cut - but she immediately apologized, and actually got a bit of street cred for saying out loud what even some of the players themselves were thinking). 

 

But she didn't walk into NBC and TGC on her first day as a fully matured golf announcer. There was a learning curve. At this point however, virtually every professional golfer, and every serious golf fan know who Dottie is. So much so that no one even needs to same her last name anymore. It's Dottie. She's just rock solid. Every player will happily talk to her, and every fan will listen to her. 

 

Personally - I believe Morgan has the beginnings of that. Yeah, there's still some rough edges. Maybe a tad too willing to make excuses for players. And her voice could use some modulation (old joke ... God, making a duck: "Waterproof that chicken and give it a kazoo" ... heehee ... yes, Morgan does sometimes lapse into what professional singers call the "head voice" instead of the chest voice - but that is something that can be learned. No one that hasn't been miced up prolly gets this. How you sound to an audience is way different than how you sound in your own head. It isn't the same as BSing with friends at a bar. Learning how to speak into a mic is a very distinct skill.)

 

Point is, if she sticks with it, she could become, like, a really good golf announcer. I'm willing to cut her a bit of slack. Because from what I can see, the girl is rolling her sleeves up and putting in the work. 

 

 

 

Edited March 30 by bobfoster

[Dpavs]

15 hours ago, bobfoster said:

I agree. I suspect from the outside, being on-air talent seems like just ... talking about golf. Like anyone reasonably knowledgeable about the game - most especially some one that has been on Tour - could do it. How hard could it be?

 

But really, it is an entirely separate (and incredibly complex) skill set. Involves "presence" (a sort of undefinable, unteachable thing that people either have or don't have - she has it). It is about way more than just knowing golf. My favorite on the LPGAT right now is the Lyds. In love with her swing. Her career. One of the best golfers of her generation (if not the best). Want to see that final HoF win this year. Knows the technical aspects of golf as well as anyone on tour. And I also think she'd be a complete disaster in the booth. 

 

An announcer needs to have a distinct POV, that needs to have somewhat firm opinions, but can neither be too obsequious (Morgan gets accused of that), nor too aggressive and antagonistic (e.g., Chamblee - the announcer's opinions are never supposed to be more of the story than the golf is). It is a very fine line. Has to learn the timing and rhythms of broadcasts, and interactions with other announcers. Broadcast teams need to come off as fluid and seamless, need to feel (to viewers) like they are just having free-flowing conversations ... like they just bounce naturally between watching and reporting on individual shots, peppered in between with stats and historical factoids and background info (about everything from the individual players to the course itself), occasionally really nuanced rules discussions, and then fleshed out and filled in with color commentary and announcer opinions. It may feel natural and smooth and easy when you watch it - but a whole lot of stuff goes on behind the scenes to orchestrate that, and it requires serious self-awareness and situational awareness on the part of announcers to do it well. 

 

Part of what makes a good golf broadcaster is just kind of natural born talent. But other aspects of it have to be learned - that talent has to be honed and refined and focused. The mechanics of broadcasting are getting ever more complex. Doesn't happen overnight. Personally, I do think she has a sort of knack for it. And I also think she is getting better. She is learning. Getting a bit more polished with every tourney she works. It is incremental, but it is noticeable. She is clearly taking it every bit as seriously as she took her golf. 

 

I get that we live in immediate gratification times. We're fine with golfers playing college golf, then the KF, then rising in the ranks of the PGAT - or women doing college, then the Epson, then climbing the LPGAT. But we expect announcers to somehow just step into the booth and be flawless and amazing on day one. Doesn't work that way. Announcing golf is every bit as complex of an artform as playing golf is. 

 

IMO, one of the greatest golf commentators of the modern era (male or female) is Dottie Pepper. Great pro career. Transitioned from golfer to announcing in 2005. But she was also kind of raw and just a little insecure at first as well. But in the years since, she just became superlative. Perfect tone. Perfect perspective - a no-nonsense attitude that both deeply honored (and knew) the traditions of the game, while being totally open to and aware of the current cutting edge of it. Full understanding of broadcast mechanics. Adept both on the course and in the tower. Almost universally respected by both players and fans (other than the "choking freaking dogs" quip at the Solheim in 2007 when she thought the mic had cut - but she immediately apologized, and actually got a bit of street cred for saying out loud what even some of the players themselves were thinking). 

 

But she didn't walk into NBC and TGC on her first day as a fully matured golf announcer. There was a learning curve. At this point however, virtually every professional golfer, and every serious golf fan know who Dottie is. So much so that no one even needs to same her last name anymore. It's Dottie. She's just rock solid. Every player will happily talk to her, and every fan will listen to her. 

 

Personally - I believe Morgan has the beginnings of that. Yeah, there's still some rough edges. Maybe a tad too willing to make excuses for players. And her voice could use some modulation (old joke ... God, making a duck: "Waterproof that chicken and give it a kazoo" ... heehee ... yes, Morgan does sometimes lapse into what professional singers call the "head voice" instead of the chest voice - but that is something that can be learned. No one that hasn't been miced up prolly gets this. How you sound to an audience is way different than how you sound in your own head. It isn't the same as BSing with friends at a bar. Learning how to speak into a mic is a very distinct skill.)

 

Point is, if she sticks with it, she could become, like, a really good golf announcer. I'm willing to cut her a bit of slack. Because from what I can see, the girl is rolling her sleeves up and putting in the work. 

 

 

 

 

IMO there is one key reason why Morgan has absolutely zero chance of being anything like Dottie unless she drastically changes. You can tell that Dottie has a lot of reactions and thoughts about what is happening on the course but she does not feel the need to share each and every one of them or to have something to say about everything. Morgan on the other hand cannot resist the temptation to comment, even when she has nothing meaningful to share. That is a huge difference between the two in my book and I do think that if Morgan would learn to use the "less is more" approach she would be much better off.

Edited March 30 by Dpavs

[Kaysquare]

I watch almost all women's golf, but the mute button gets worn out during an LPGA broadcast (even more so than a PGA broadcast).

 

[mshills]

I posted a while back in this thread….thought Morgan’s experience and knowledge of the game would be good, and she’d learn how to do broadcasts well. Sorry to say I am so far…..incorrect. I am not rooting against her, and following Rankin (the best!) was always going to be tough, but she is simply not getting any better. It is to the point I wonder if she gets any coaching or feedback at all. 

[3eagles]

Is this Ford Championship better with Karen and Kay?

 

I say yes. Almost calming . . .

[SEP1006]

2 hours ago, wolfcreek said:

Is this Ford Championship better with Karen and Kay?

 

I say yes. Almost calming . . .

 

Sooooooo much better !!!!!!!!

[gsrjc]

Was there a reason Morgan wasn’t there at the Ford?  Not that I wanted her to be there. 

[PedronNiall]

49 minutes ago, gsrjc said:

Was there a reason Morgan wasn’t there at the Ford?  Not that I wanted her to be there. 

 

Question not the reason for the miracles that touch your life, simply be glad for their bounty. 

[3eagles]

3 hours ago, gsrjc said:

Was there a reason Morgan wasn’t there at the Ford?  Not that I wanted her to be there. 

Official statement was a normal break. Morgan's announcer schedule is at Vegas match play next week, then working The Masters, followed by the Chevron. 3 tough weeks in a row.

 

*Posted by wc on April 1.

🤦😇😎

[SEP1006]

10 hours ago, wolfcreek said:

Official statement was a normal break. Morgan's announcer schedule is at Vegas match play next week, then working The Masters, followed by the Chevron. 3 tough weeks in a row.

 

*Posted by wc on April 1.

🤦😇😎

 

 

Seriously, the Masters. That just sux!!!

 

 

[kmbean]

Wait she is going to be at the Masters???

[woahnelly]

If USA can't win Solheim again, make Morgan captain.  She is likeable (but not in the booth). Those duties should take her out of the booth. Win win for all. 

[PedronNiall]

12 hours ago, SEP1006 said:

 

 

Seriously, the Masters. That just sux!!!

 

 

 

Ticket prices soared right around the time she was announced as a commentator. Perhaps only a coincidence, though. There's no way people would pay thousands to enjoy The Masters without having to hear her chiming in for the entirety of the coverage.  

[JungleJimbo]

On 4/1/2024 at 12:13 PM, wolfcreek said:

Official statement was a normal break. Morgan's announcer schedule is at Vegas match play next week, then working The Masters, followed by the Chevron. 3 tough weeks in a row.

 

*Posted by wc on April 1.

🤦😇😎

 

1 hour ago, PedronNiall said:

 

Ticket prices soared right around the time she was announced as a commentator. Perhaps only a coincidence, though. There's no way people would pay thousands to enjoy The Masters without having to hear her chiming in for the entirety of the coverage.