LPGA Takefuji vs PGA Heritage

[Twiggy]

Anyone else care more about the LPGA this week?

Just wondering if anyone else finds themselves more interested in what happens at the LPGA Takefuji than the PGA Heritage today. This isn't the first time I find myself more interested in watching an LPGA event than a PGA event this year. Kudos to the LPGA for turning that tour around. I think it speaks volumes to the work that has been done with Junior Golf in the past 10 years. More women are becoming interested in making Golf a career and are more athletic and competitive than ever before. I think this change is great for the game and am excited for the day I can take my two daughters (3 and 1 years old) for their first rounds of golf.

[Johnny]

too bad the course the women are playing on looks terrible

[TML]

I'm definitely looking to Tivo the LPGA vs. the guys tourney this week. In fact, does anyone care about the senior tour at all other than the Cialis crowd?

[Subsonic]

I am a fan of the LPGA events. I find myself watching them a lot more than I used to in the past. It seems as if there is more parity on that tour right now. I like to watch good competition. The PGA reminds me of the NFL of a few years ago. Some elite teams, and a bunch of also rans.

[Noonan]

The course the LPGA is playing on is Las Vegas Country Club. It is actually a pretty good golf course. The reason it doesn't look as good is because the club doesn't overseed the dormant Bermuda Grass fairways with Winter Rye, therefore it looks more brown on TV. The actual playing surface is quite good.

[kmrev]

Big LPGA fan here. The players are way more accomodating and fan friendly overall IMO. Aside from the majors, and a few other select tourneys, the PGA events can be big yawners, like the Heritage this weekend. I like the up and coming challengers looking to knock Annika from her number one perch. It's exciting. I'm a huge Annika fan too.

[Gub]

Most of the time I don't even know the PGA is on TV... I used to watch the men all the time but not any more... thank goodness the LPGA is on TV more often than it used to be!

 

Having volunteered at both PGA & LPGA events, the women are just plain nicer, more approachable and heck I think more interesting & diverse than the men.

 

Deb.

[Golf_Beauty]

There's a great article in GFW in the April/May issue name: First Person: Annika, Rosie and Me

Why one man looks to the LPGA Tour for inspiration by Mark Reiter.

 

It's written by a guy who talks about how for an amateur golfer and avid fan, the LPGA pros play the kind of game that gives him hope. He can't relate to guys reaching the green in two on a par 5 with a driver/5-iron. Or guys who carry a 2-iron in their bags and actually use them. He likes to watch the women play because, according to him, Annika showed him that you don't need power to score, and, most important, that you can achieve the same ends with different tools.

 

He claims that the women pros, play a game that gives him the tiny glimmering "hit-and-hope" feeling that he can do it. He can hit a ball the length of one football field shorter than the Big Boys and still post a decent score.

 

He says, "When I watch an LPGA player, I can relax knowing that (a) I'll never see her wipe her brow in relief as her ball lands in a greenside bunker, because getting up and down out of sand is easier than chipping out of the rough; (b) I'll never see her sailing a wedge shot 20 yards past the flag with so much backspin that it yo-yos back to the hole at 60-mph; and c) I'll never see her muscling a 9-iron 150 yards in the air out of six-inch rough. I'm not saying women can't perform these feats. I'm saying that I rarely, if ever, see them do it -- certainly not with the regularity of the touring men.

 

LPGA pros play golf the way its creators intended it to be played. They avoid bunkers because bunkers are supposed to be penal, not a strategic advantage. When the women fire at the green, the ball obeys the laws of physics as I know them; it either thuds to a stop or rolls forward. It doesn't have to behave life golf's equivalent of a three-point bank shot. When the women land in thick rough, they take thier lumps like the rest of us and punch out back to the fairway.

 

Don't get me wrong. I'm not extolling the women's game because I regard it as somehow inferior. When an LPGA star has a bad day, she's still shooting 74s and 75s on tough courses. I also don't gravitate to the women because they lack what I lack: muscular power. Whether it's Annika or Laura Davies or Michelle Wie, quite a few women now get close to the magical 300-yard barrier. In other words, I've stopped looking at the LPGA for confirmation that length doesn't matter.

 

What I have found in the women's game is a bracing dose of reality. Forget Survivor and Fear Factor. For me reality TV is the LPGA tour."

 

There's more, of course. I thought it was pretty honest and funny. If you get a chance, pick up the latest issue or read your wife or girlfriend's issue. :)

[Twiggy]

Thanks Golf Beauty. That was great and true. I've found myself watching the LPGA more and more this year and enjoying watching these women play some fantastic golf.

[jimmyjames]

For one thing, Lorena smoked the field. That was not interesting. Another, the course looked like crap. Why would they not overseed? Especially knowing they were going to be on TV?

 

I think it will be an interesting battle tomorrow between Furyk and BAdds. Let's not forget that Ernie is in the mix as well.

[frozen_rope]

The LPGA is o.k.

What they've got going each week is one or two girls playing well and some other girls who look good in short skirts. The problem is the golf. Too much of and LPGA event is poor shotmaking, very amateurish looking, especially around the greens.

I think the LPGA will only really succeed when they can offer stronger fields where a good amount of the players are capable of consistently excellent shotmaking.

[GolferGal2009]

The LPGA is o.k.

What they've got going each week is one or two girls playing well and some other girls who look good in short skirts. The problem is the golf. Too much of and LPGA event is poor shotmaking, very amateurish looking, especially around the greens.

I think the LPGA will only really succeed when they can offer stronger fields where a good amount of the players are capable of consistently excellent shotmaking.

 

Are you kidding?!?!

[taylormadefan]

For one thing, Lorena smoked the field. That was not interesting. Another, the course looked like crap. Why would they not overseed? Especially knowing they were going to be on TV?

 

The girls definately seem to get the short end of the stick course condition wise.

 

I can't remember the last time I saw any area marked as ground under repair on the PGA Tour. It seems like every time I turn on LPGA coverage (other than the majors), there's white circles everywhere around the fairways.

 

And as far as LVCC, agreed, it's pretty sad that they can't get the course in better shape for the biggest event of their year. The greens look sort of okay, but the fairways look like a dog track.

 

The LPGA needs to put some pressure on these courses if they're not going to step up to the plate, because I'm sure there are other courses whcih would gladly accomodate them.

[frozen_rope]

Gal,

 

No I'm not kidding.

The LPGA sets up their courses as easy as possible, trying whatever they can to get some birdies made and capture some fan interest. Still, when you tune in to an LPGA event you see lot of missed greens followed by players blowing routine up and downs. Over and over. It doesn't look good, it looks like what you see at your local men's club championship. That's fine, but it's not what plays well on t.v. or what people want to pay money for a ticket to go watch.

 

Why do you think the LPGA struggles each year to find tournament sponsors, get some events on t.v.,

get some decent sized galleries out to watch the tournaments etc.... ? It's the quality of the golf.

[Gub]

Have to say that this week's LPGA tourney is not what we typically see on TV - conditions wise.

 

I don't get where Lorena winning wire-to-wire, having it be close after the second round and then very comfortably winning in the end is boring... if Tiger were to do that, we'd hear all sorts of things about his dominance of the sport, how no one can touch him, he's the greatest player ever, yada yada yada...

 

As far as the courses being set up easy for them... how many tourneys have you watched, been to and/or played in to be able to say that? Did you even watch the first major (in golf, not just the LPGA), Nabisco? There were no gimmies there, the rough was very penalizing and it was a great tournament.

 

That said, did they move the tees up on 18 on Sunday at the Nabisco to encourage women to go for the green in 2? Sure, but they also do that in PGA events. I've heard Johnny Miller say so! (HA!) Regardless, it's no easy task and certainly no gimmie eagle or even birdie.

 

I just don't get the logic of bashing the LPGA - it's great professional golf played by a myriad of wonderful players - WOMEN (not girls btw) of all ages, races, colors, sizes & shapes.

 

I'd love to see documented proof that sponsors aren't joining up due to the quality of golf... do you have any?

 

Getting back to the point of the topic... if I want to watch golf today, I'm forced to watch the PGA and not sure I'll do that... I find their games and the players themselves rather boring frankly. All those fairways & greens - who plays golf like that? :)

 

Deb.

[MrParr1Noid]

After the Ochoa win, it was refreshing to see all her competitors celebrating her win with her. That is either sportsmanship or that is the way women do things, the friendly and personable way that is. :)

 

I've always watched the LPGA events when there isn't PGA events that are on. Like a friend and a decent golfer once told me, the majority of men are sub level at what the LPGA plays to, we could learn alot from watching the women more. :cheesy:

[kmrev]

Most of the time I don't even know the PGA is on TV... I used to watch the men all the time but not any more... thank goodness the LPGA is on TV more often than it used to be!

 

Having volunteered at both PGA & LPGA events, the women are just plain nicer, more approachable and heck I think more interesting & diverse than the men.

 

Deb.

 

 

Hey Gub.. you've got it right. The LPGA players are way more approachable and fan friendly. I've enjoyed watching on practice days, when they don't have their "game face" on , even more than watching during tourney play. They'll, for the most part be as friendly as can be. The golf is highly competitve and inspiring. The women can rock!

[DemolitionMan]

Have to say that this week's LPGA tourney is not what we typically see on TV - conditions wise.

 

I don't get where Lorena winning wire-to-wire, having it be close after the second round and then very comfortably winning in the end is boring... if Tiger were to do that, we'd hear all sorts of things about his dominance of the sport, how no one can touch him, he's the greatest player ever, yada yada yada...

 

As far as the courses being set up easy for them... how many tourneys have you watched, been to and/or played in to be able to say that? Did you even watch the first major (in golf, not just the LPGA), Nabisco? There were no gimmies there, the rough was very penalizing and it was a great tournament.

 

That said, did they move the tees up on 18 on Sunday at the Nabisco to encourage women to go for the green in 2? Sure, but they also do that in PGA events. I've heard Johnny Miller say so! (HA!) Regardless, it's no easy task and certainly no gimmie eagle or even birdie.

 

I just don't get the logic of bashing the LPGA - it's great professional golf played by a myriad of wonderful players - WOMEN (not girls btw) of all ages, races, colors, sizes & shapes.

 

I'd love to see documented proof that sponsors aren't joining up due to the quality of golf... do you have any?

 

Getting back to the point of the topic... if I want to watch golf today, I'm forced to watch the PGA and not sure I'll do that... I find their games and the players themselves rather boring frankly. All those fairways & greens - who plays golf like that? :)

 

Deb.

 

Good post. Yes, unfortuantely, it's a fine line between free speech on an opionion and true ignorance. But what can you do? We do not have the resources to staff GolfWRX with psychoanalysts to help those who get a kick out of bashing the LPGA or contributing only when they get a chance to boast how they would hit Gulbis or Creamer or Wie....whatever. It's Easter, but still, misogynism is alive and well.

 

Obviously most of the posters here have never been to a LPGA event, let alone watch one on TV or play a game that is equivalent. Still, they get their opinions and when they get a little over the top, away they go. Please continue to post on the virtues of the LPGA. Like every sport, including PGA golf, they have their weaknesses, but they also have a lot of plusses that few appreciate.

[frozen_rope]

Demo Man,

 

Why is it "bashing the LPGA" when someone points out the economic struggles that organization has with gaining sponsors, fans, television contracts etc... ?

 

The above challenges are simply fact. If you doubt this then look at how infrequently the LPGA appears on t.v., how few fans attend their events, and how relatively little prize money is offered to the LPGA players.

 

As for me, I've attended both Futures Tour and LPGA events, I 've played with both Futures Tour and LPGA players. My own observation and opinion is that womens pro golf continues to struggle because the caliber of play and depth of quality fields is unimpressive. The amateur-like product is the root cause of why womens professional golf continues to suffer financial difficulties.

 

If you and some others here feel like the LPGA tour is fine and the quality of play is fine and everything is wonderful then that is your opinion. The marginal popularity and prosperity of the LPGA Tour, however,

does not support your opinion.

 

Now, if your argument is that the LPGA has a nice homespun feel and friendly atmosphere, that is another story. Certainly the show is more intimate when there are fifty fans lining a fairway rather than five thousand.

 

 

He captured the

Have to say that this week's LPGA tourney is not what we typically see on TV - conditions wise.

 

I don't get where Lorena winning wire-to-wire, having it be close after the second round and then very comfortably winning in the end is boring... if Tiger were to do that, we'd hear all sorts of things about his dominance of the sport, how no one can touch him, he's the greatest player ever, yada yada yada...

 

As far as the courses being set up easy for them... how many tourneys have you watched, been to and/or played in to be able to say that? Did you even watch the first major (in golf, not just the LPGA), Nabisco? There were no gimmies there, the rough was very penalizing and it was a great tournament.

 

That said, did they move the tees up on 18 on Sunday at the Nabisco to encourage women to go for the green in 2? Sure, but they also do that in PGA events. I've heard Johnny Miller say so! (HA!) Regardless, it's no easy task and certainly no gimmie eagle or even birdie.

 

I just don't get the logic of bashing the LPGA - it's great professional golf played by a myriad of wonderful players - WOMEN (not girls btw) of all ages, races, colors, sizes & shapes.

 

I'd love to see documented proof that sponsors aren't joining up due to the quality of golf... do you have any?

 

Getting back to the point of the topic... if I want to watch golf today, I'm forced to watch the PGA and not sure I'll do that... I find their games and the players themselves rather boring frankly. All those fairways & greens - who plays golf like that? :)

 

Deb.

 

Good post. Yes, unfortuantely, it's a fine line between free speech on an opionion and true ignorance. But what can you do? We do not have the resources to staff GolfWRX with psychoanalysts to help those who get a kick out of bashing the LPGA or contributing only when they get a chance to boast how they would hit Gulbis or Creamer or Wie....whatever. It's Easter, but still, misogynism is alive and well.

 

Obviously most of the posters here have never been to a LPGA event, let alone watch one on TV or play a game that is equivalent. Still, they get their opinions and when they get a little over the top, away they go. Please continue to post on the virtues of the LPGA. Like every sport, including PGA golf, they have their weaknesses, but they also have a lot of plusses that few appreciate.

[Gub]

How 'bout we look at the improvement in/increased TV coverage, increased purses and growth of the LPGA that has occured over the last few years vs. all the things that are wrong with it. Great strides have been made and should be heralded... IMHO.

 

Face it, the differences are no more than typical gender bias that occurs in the world today... in salaries, hiring practices, etc.

 

The only advantage to smaller galleries is the great view you get of the players & the action! I hate PGA events in person - way too crowded, way too much testosterone (often under the influence)... give me the intimacies of an LPGA event any day.

 

frozen_rope - you're obviously a better golfer than most that would watch the LPGA - I go back to the GFW article quoted earlier in this thread... the average Joe can relate to the women's tour way more than the PGA and heck, that's the majority of the audience out there. I applaud any man, man enough, to admit that!

Please share w/us the professional women you've played with - that would help me understand the quality of golf (or lack thereof) you refer to.

 

Gub.

[sergizmo]

Even though Lorena cruised in, there was still a lot going on. For example, Juli Inkster made 7 birdies in a row in the final round. That's pretty darn impressive, regardless of course setup/pin placements.

 

The course looked TERRIBLE though. It's a proffesional event being televised, make an effort to give the players the best conditions possible and make it look good for TV. They obviously had plenty of notice to get ready, how hard is it? Someone should be fired over this.

[DemolitionMan]

That was easy. Feeling a little guilty? After all, I did not mention anything about YOU bashing the LPGA. Read around the forums, there is quite a bit of LPGA bashing by a lot of members, no need for you to feel you are targeted.

 

But since you decided the stand up and be counted, no your posts are not bashing if they speak to economic woes. Total ignorance yes, bashing no. You have no idea what a fact is. A fact is looking at economic reports of the LPGA which show over 20% growth each year since 2001 in TV viewership and tournament attendance. That is a fact, look it up.

 

The caliber of the game is not holding back the LPGA. They can hold their own. There is only so much of the TV and sponsor pie a sport can get. The LPGA's piece is getting bigger, albeit slowly, but steady and growing. It's not a huge sport and never will be. But if they are growing then why suggest something silly like their lack of chipping talent is driving away sponsors?

 

Get your facts straight and don't waste time trying to suggest something is wrong with the LPGA without real proof, because in the end you do look like just another basher.

 

 

Demo Man,

 

Why is it "bashing the LPGA" when someone points out the economic struggles that organization has with gaining sponsors, fans, television contracts etc... ?

 

The above challenges are simply fact. If you doubt this then look at how infrequently the LPGA appears on t.v., how few fans attend their events, and how relatively little prize money is offered to the LPGA players.

 

As for me, I've attended both Futures Tour and LPGA events, I 've played with both Futures Tour and LPGA players. My own observation and opinion is that womens pro golf continues to struggle because the caliber of play and depth of quality fields is unimpressive. The amateur-like product is the root cause of why womens professional golf continues to suffer financial difficulties.

 

If you and some others here feel like the LPGA tour is fine and the quality of play is fine and everything is wonderful then that is your opinion. The marginal popularity and prosperity of the LPGA Tour, however,

does not support your opinion.

 

Now, if your argument is that the LPGA has a nice homespun feel and friendly atmosphere, that is another story. Certainly the show is more intimate when there are fifty fans lining a fairway rather than five thousand.

 

 

He captured the

Have to say that this week's LPGA tourney is not what we typically see on TV - conditions wise.

 

I don't get where Lorena winning wire-to-wire, having it be close after the second round and then very comfortably winning in the end is boring... if Tiger were to do that, we'd hear all sorts of things about his dominance of the sport, how no one can touch him, he's the greatest player ever, yada yada yada...

 

As far as the courses being set up easy for them... how many tourneys have you watched, been to and/or played in to be able to say that? Did you even watch the first major (in golf, not just the LPGA), Nabisco? There were no gimmies there, the rough was very penalizing and it was a great tournament.

 

That said, did they move the tees up on 18 on Sunday at the Nabisco to encourage women to go for the green in 2? Sure, but they also do that in PGA events. I've heard Johnny Miller say so! (HA!) Regardless, it's no easy task and certainly no gimmie eagle or even birdie.

 

I just don't get the logic of bashing the LPGA - it's great professional golf played by a myriad of wonderful players - WOMEN (not girls btw) of all ages, races, colors, sizes & shapes.

 

I'd love to see documented proof that sponsors aren't joining up due to the quality of golf... do you have any?

 

Getting back to the point of the topic... if I want to watch golf today, I'm forced to watch the PGA and not sure I'll do that... I find their games and the players themselves rather boring frankly. All those fairways & greens - who plays golf like that? :)

 

Deb.

 

Good post. Yes, unfortuantely, it's a fine line between free speech on an opionion and true ignorance. But what can you do? We do not have the resources to staff GolfWRX with psychoanalysts to help those who get a kick out of bashing the LPGA or contributing only when they get a chance to boast how they would hit Gulbis or Creamer or Wie....whatever. It's Easter, but still, misogynism is alive and well.

 

Obviously most of the posters here have never been to a LPGA event, let alone watch one on TV or play a game that is equivalent. Still, they get their opinions and when they get a little over the top, away they go. Please continue to post on the virtues of the LPGA. Like every sport, including PGA golf, they have their weaknesses, but they also have a lot of plusses that few appreciate.

[Golfdog]

I am a big fan of the LPGA. I often find their tournaments to be far more entertaining than the PGA Tour. The LPGA has a boatload of young talent competing, which is pretty cool.

 

I don't know where this LPGA/financial doom and gloom stuff is coming from. Last time I looked, the tour was in very good shape and interest in the LPGA was increasing significantly.

[Noonan]

Even though Lorena cruised in, there was still a lot going on. For example, Juli Inkster made 7 birdies in a row in the final round. That's pretty darn impressive, regardless of course setup/pin placements.

 

The course looked TERRIBLE though. It's a proffesional event being televised, make an effort to give the players the best conditions possible and make it look good for TV. They obviously had plenty of notice to get ready, how hard is it? Someone should be fired over this.

 

I played LVCC at the end of Feb. It looks worse on TV that it actually is. The dormant Bermuda grass fairways play just fine, they just don't look that good on TV. Similar to the British Open courses, they usually look lousy on TV, but in person, the conditions are quite good.

[Golf_Beauty]

This debate over which is better, the PGA or LPGA is so tiring. It gives me a headache. It's like saying a father doesn't make as great a parent as a woman because she's been doing it longer and actually gives birth to the child. It's asinine. One just has different techniques or approaches than the other...but it doesn't make one better over the other. Just different.

[illinikyle]

After the Ochoa win, it was refreshing to see all her competitors celebrating her win with her. That is either sportsmanship or that is the way women do things, the friendly and personable way that is. :)

 

 

I LOVE the lpga and have really enjoyed watching the tournaments this season, that being said I can't stand when other players come out to celebrate another's win (unless it is their best friend) - Christina Kim seems to be around every week. Also what is the deal with a crowd of groupies running out and dousing Ochoa with Miller Lite. Any other place you see somebody tossing a beer on another person they are going to get punched.

[AUDuffer]

This debate over which is better, the PGA or LPGA is so tiring. It gives me a headache. It's like saying a father doesn't make as great a parent as a woman because she's been doing it longer and actually gives birth to the child. It's asinine. One just has different techniques or approaches than the other...but it doesn't make one better over the other. Just different.

 

 

 

I think the reason women make better parents is because we're just plain lazy... :)