Golf Announcers Reading Putts??

[TM4me]

What is the point of golf announcers trying to read putts?  It adds no value (only more babble) to the telecast - IMHO.

[Kmagnuss]

Because when we sit at home on the couch we can't see the break (or is it brake?) in the putt... then when it happens we're amazed that they could see that and we couldn't.  That's my take anyway. 

[GHIN n Juice]

They either walk the course earlier in the week or have someone do it for them.  They aren’t guessing so much as trying to relay the conditions to tbe viewer.

 

As an aside, they have like 6 hours of time to fill.  What would you rather they talk about whilst watching someone line up a putt?

[Abh159]

It doesn't bother me at all when they do it. Plus, if they've been stationed on a specific hole all day they've probably already seen 30+ players putt from the exact spot they are talking about at that current moment. 

 

I kind of like hearing someone say "Everyone that has come through has missed this putt low because they aren't reading enough break", and then seeing that guy do the exact same thing 🤣.

[TM4me]

• Often they are wrong on the read
• We will see the break once the stroke is made
• Why do we need constant talking
• European Tour coverage doesn't inundate us with constant banter and they don't' or very rarely try and read the putts

[Blonde Line Lizard]

If it bothers you that much, use the mute button and you won't have to listen to anyone.

[Hawkeye77]

LOL, because it is useful information, most of the time they know what the putt is going to do, and if they are talking about something useful they aren't babbling about something else.

[Abh159]

20 minutes ago, TM4me said:

• Often they are wrong on the read
• We will see the break once the stroke is made
• Why do we need constant talking
• European Tour coverage doesn't inundate us with constant banter and they don't' or very rarely try and read the putts

 

Do you also get upset when MLB announcers anticipate what the next pitch will be (fastball, curve, slider, ect.), or when NFL announces predict whether or not the next play will be a run play or pass play?

[PJE]

Television does not show green contours very well. Announcers are trying to convey information to viewers. 

[TM4me]

40 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

 

Do you also get upset when MLB announcers anticipate what the next pitch will be (fastball, curve, slider, ect.), or when NFL announces predict whether or not the next play will be a run play or pass play?

 

I don't think those are analogous to predicting how a putt may or may not break.

The announcers don't say he should throw a fastball 1-foot to the right.

Edited November 10, 2021 by TM4me

[Pepperturbo]

2 hours ago, TM4me said:

What is the point of golf announcers trying to read putts?  It adds no value (only more babble) to the telecast - IMHO.

That's true. 

 

They not only misread greens their guessing of what club the player uses is often wrong.  Their blabbing to viewers that don't know and or not paying close attention.  Also, most general announcers are mid-high cap golfers or hacks, if they play at all, and they must fill the air.

 

 

[TM4me]

• Its a quick putt- useful information
• everyone has missed it low - useful information
• what does this putt do Roger? - "I don't see much" or "maybe a ball right" - useless

Edited November 10, 2021 by TM4me

[GHIN n Juice]

8 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

That's true. 

 

They not only misread greens their guessing of what club the player uses is often wrong.  Their blabbing to viewers that don't know and or not paying close attention.  Also, most general announcers are mid-high cap golfers or hacks, if they play at all, and they must fill the air.

 

 

I’m not sure how you know their wrong about relaying club selection.  They’re usually told which club a player is hitting by the caddie, or a quick look in the bag.

[NJBigFish22]

These guys are using the green books, Faldo admitted as much, to give you the information. They will still use this year even with the players not being allowed. To me I don’t care if it’s useful or not, cause I generally don’t listen that closely to what these guys say.

[Abh159]

28 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

That's true. 

 

They not only misread greens their guessing of what club the player uses is often wrong.  Their blabbing to viewers that don't know and or not paying close attention.  Also, most general announcers are mid-high cap golfers or hacks, if they play at all, and they must fill the air.

 

 

 

Most of the on course reporters (the ones reading greens and talking about club selection) are ex tour players. Immelman, Bones, Knost, and so on. 

 

I'd let them read a putt for me or advise me on club selection anytime. 

[Pepperturbo]

2 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

 

Most of the on course reporters (the ones reading greens and talking about club selection) are ex tour players. Immelman, Bones, Knost, and so on. 

 

I'd let them read a putt for me or advise me on club selection anytime. 

That's your choice. 

 

I've played with many tour guys and gals.  If a tour guy has played a given course many times, he more than likely recalls how some greens break; I do.  But, put them 40'+ away from the green watching from the fairway or behind the green, while a pro reads a putt and executes, on course announcers could easily be wrong.

 

I've watched x-tour guys incorrectly read a putt from a far, and misrepresent the club being used, including Bones and Knost.  Even Faldo called a few clubs wrongs, and putting lines wrong.  Remember, they are doing if from a ways off, not on the green or even near the line that is being addressed.  Also, often times the person that is supposed to share the chosen club with the on course announcer, isn't told, so the on course announcer guesses, based on what he knows.  I don't fault them for being wrong, it's easy to do, but they can be wrong. 

[eht8266]

1 hour ago, PJE said:

Television does not show green contours very well. Announcers are trying to convey information to viewers. 

 

Especially when the cameras are sitting up on the towers - can't even tell sometimes which way is uphill in some cases based on the camera angles and perspectives. As far as the announcers... it's just filler. Join the NLU guys with talking about the quality of the broadcasts.

 

[Abh159]

7 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

That's your choice. 

 

I've played with many tour guys and gals.  If a tour guy has played a given course many times, he more than likely recalls how some greens break; I do.  But, put them 40'+ away from the green watching from the fairway or behind the green, while a pro reads a putt and executes, on course announcers could easily be wrong.

 

I've watched x-tour guys incorrectly read a putt from a far, and misrepresent the club being used, including Bones and Knost.  Even Faldo called a few clubs wrongs, and putting lines wrong.  Remember, they are doing if from a ways off, not on the green or even near the line that is being addressed.  Also, often times the person that is supposed to share the chosen club with the on course announcer, isn't told, so the on course announcer guesses, based on what he knows.  I don't fault them for being wrong, it's easy to do, but they can be wrong. 

 

I'm not saying all of the commentators are perfect and never get anything wrong. I'm simply pointing out that your previous statement of "most general announcers are mid-high cap golfers or hacks, if they play at all" isn't true. 

 

For every one Jim Nantz there is half a dozen guys like Bones, NBIII, and Immelman who I would not describe as "hacks". 

 

 

[Pepperturbo]

4 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

 

I'm not saying all of the commentators are perfect and never get anything wrong. I'm simply pointing out that your previous statement of "most general announcers are mid-high cap golfers or hacks, if they play at all" isn't true. 

 

For every one Jim Nantz there is half a dozen guys like Bones, NBIII, and Immelman who I would not describe as "hacks". 

 

 

I think you got stuck on a "word" that wasn't intended as a blanket for every announcer's game.  Faldo is NOT a hack, Nantz is a jerk and probably a hack.  Some of them were once good golfers, but I'd bet money many have lost their game edge, and some of them hardly ever play golf. 

 

I used a book of Faldo's to learn the game, yet he's made more than one bad call as an announcer.  I was including all the people surrounding announcing, many of which watch and blabber from the studio or...  But I hear your point. 

[Abh159]

9 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

I used a book of Faldo's to learn the game, yet he's made more than one bad call as an announcer.  I was including all the people surrounding announcing, many of which watch and blabber from the studio or...  But I hear your point. 

 

If there is a hell, I'm pretty certain it involves watching Sqairz golf shoe commercials on repeat while Johnny Miller sits next to you and tells you about the time he shot 63 at the US Open. 🤣

Edited November 10, 2021 by Abh159

[TM4me]

It's one thing for announcer to suggest what a player might do.  Its another for them to suggest how they should do it.

[Pepperturbo]

4 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

 

If there is a hell, I'm pretty certain it involves watching Sqairz golf shoe commercials on repeat while Johnny Miller sits next to you and tells you about the time he shot 63 at the US Open. 🤣

Those commercials bug me too.  However, I just bought a pair of Sqairz. 😛 No added distance, but they are damn comfortable to play in.

[Imp]

1 hour ago, TM4me said:

• Its a quick putt- useful information
• everyone has missed it low - useful information
• what does this putt do Roger? - "I don't see much" or "maybe a ball right" - useless

Does a broadcast have to be 100% as you like it? Or is it allowed to appeal to a wide variety of viewers?

 

There are people that like it, like myself, those who have never played the course, and even some that have (yeah! it does break like that, there. That was a gnarly/easy putt - lets see if they make it where i missed/made it) and then there are those that see no value in it, like yourself. 

 

So... Just accept that people like different things, if you can.

[Abh159]

7 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

Those commercials bug me too.  However, I just bought a pair of Sqairz. 😛 No added distance, but they are damn comfortable to play in.

 

And just when I thought we were becoming friends....

[Justsomeguy]

All radio and tv are ruled by 1 commandment: no dead air.

[tw_focus]

Hit the mute button, problem solved. It's pretty hard to read putts on the television so I appreciate the announcer giving reads.

[ray9898]

Add this to the list of strange things that bother golf spectators.

[Creedo77]

7 hours ago, GHIN n Juice said:

They either walk the course earlier in the week or have someone do it for them.  They aren’t guessing so much as trying to relay the conditions to tbe viewer.

 

As an aside, they have like 6 hours of time to fill.  What would you rather they talk about whilst watching someone line up a putt?

They have a greens book in the booth with them 

[Creedo77]

6 hours ago, GHIN n Juice said:

I’m not sure how you know their wrong about relaying club selection.  They’re usually told which club a player is hitting by the caddie, or a quick look in the bag.

Yep caddies give the hand signals on every shot when they have one of the announcers in the group 

[Titleist99]

18 minutes ago, ray9898 said:

Add this to the list of strange things that bother golf spectators.

The clinical term for it is Announcer fixation syndrome.....LOL! .....I kid.

Most of the time I couldn't tell you who's commentating and what they said during any telecast....with the exception of Ken Venturi. 

Edited November 11, 2021 by Titleist99