The Top-10 Announcers in Golf

[Arizonalefty59]

I love Jim Nantz because I know when he is announcing its Masters time.

I hate Feherty, McCord, Miller, and Chris Berman.

[geesecougar2]

Miller is the best.

Judy Rankin deserves a spot on that list, she's great even during men's events.

And I quite like Monty myself.

[geesecougar2]

[quote name='Awsi Dooger' timestamp='1352770437' post='5925497']
Foltz and Rankin are very, very good on LPGA telecasts. In fact, I suspect the two of them could carry it alone and it would be enjoyable and astute. BTW, the Gannon is Terry, not Rich, who is a football guy. Terry was 6th man outside shooter on NC State over Phil Slamma Jamma 1983.
[/quote]

I was hoping someone would mention Judy!

[boxerjoe2011]

I can't believe some people want Vince Cellini back, I absolutely can't stand that guy. I like faldo, feherty, oosterhuis, nobilo, miller is okay in small doses, same as dottie pepper.

[Mschumacher]

Judy needs to be up there. McCord and Nantz I'd pass on.

[PaddyK]

Dave Marr was enjoyable to listen to along with Aliss on the beeb.

As for Mccord and Fehery..... what a waste of space!

[poops]

I really Mark Rolfing's understated style. Can't believe he was left off the list...

[Masterplan]

[quote name='MrParr1Noid' timestamp='1352775693' post='5926057']
Or Snoop Dog and Johnny Miller...

p.s. Ya think The Golf Channel might take a peek see in here, and get some new ideas? One could but hope...
[/quote]

I think I like this idea...just to shake it up. It would be fun to see someone like Snoop do a Nationwide event just to see what happens.

"That putt is going to drop fo' shizzle"

[highdraw69]

Dottie would be in top 5 of any golf announcer list for me; I also would like to see Zinger on more telecasts; Alliss might beat out Johnny for top spot on my list...

[MrParr1Noid]

[quote name='Masterplan' timestamp='1352824737' post='5928109']
[quote name='MrParr1Noid' timestamp='1352775693' post='5926057']
Or Snoop Dog and Johnny Miller...

p.s. Ya think The Golf Channel might take a peek see in here, and get some new ideas? One could but hope...
[/quote]

I think I like this idea...just to shake it up. It would be fun to see someone like Snoop do a Nationwide event just to see what happens.

"That putt is going to drop fo' shizzle"
[/quote]

Zactly! Snoop would come up with golf terms no ones ever heard of, fo shizzle.. And to see the look on Johnny's face when he does. In this world, we all know this (Snoop'n Johnny) "ain't gonna" happen but it'd be a scream.

[TheDarkOne]

Always kind of partial to Renton Laidlaw.

[johnnypro]

Top five:
1) Peter Alliss
2) Nick Faldo
3) Johnny Miller
4) Renton Laidlaw
5) Peter Oosterhuis

Bottom five:
1) Gary "Nicely Done" Koch
2) Frank Nobilo
3) Dick Enberg
4) Vin Scully (stick to baseball)
5) Forgot his name...ex-tour player....looks like a young Hal Sutton. Help me out here?! Whoever he is...he stinks!

I forgot to put Judy Rankin somewhere in the "best" category. She's very good.

[MadGolfer76]

Peter Aliss
Peter Kostis
Peter Oosterhuis


Peter Kessler


See a pattern, here?

[TheMackDaddy]

Snoop Lion or Snoop Dogg?

[Socrates]

What about Renton Laidlaw and Ken Brown? Or Ben Wright? Way better than some of the hacks listed.

[smiley9929]

Certainly can't argue much with this list. Judy Rankin has been great also.

Thumbs up to Rolfing also.

If I never had to listen to Berman or Turico again as long as I live I would be a happy man.

[flanker25]

Where is my boy Terry "the cannon" Gannon...

[sTmGolfer]

Other than the OP, I can't believe we didn't see more comments about Roger Maltbie. I always love listening to his on-course comments.

I may be in the minority, but I love listening to Johnny Miller, Frank Nobilo, and Brandel Chamblee. Chamblee gets a lot of grief for the spoiled frat-boy act, but I think he's extremely knowledgeable and his takes are upfront and honest.

[JRS]

-20 points for anyone who says "three metal".

[hogans71]

Can we actually list a top "ten"?

[mr smith]

A word of advice for the op. When poting a list of top 10 anouncers dont lead in with Nantz, you lost all credibility with anyone with an ounce of taste right there. Faldo anywhere on that list is another crime against golfing sensibility, but number 1????

[iBanesto]

[quote name='deasy55' timestamp='1352740408' post='5922837']
Alliss is my favourite, but Faldo is certainly up there.

Wayne Riley is great too
[/quote]

Wayne Riley: "Just flop it out and stiff it." Referring to a bunker shot

[mr smith]

[quote]
Alliss is my favourite, but Faldo is certainly up there.

Wayne Riley is great too
[/quote]

The Wayne Riley comment was a troll right? Radar was a beer swilling angry yob as a tour player, and he just got worse from there. His reinvented theatrical persona with contrived campy elocution accent isnt fooling anyone. Radar was in the commentary box at Aus PGA recently when Norman did a guest stint. The Shark ripped Radar a new one about his new image, between guffaws.

[laguna79]

It took awhile but I'm glad Renton Laidlaw got a mention.

[mjtoal]

[quote name='mr smith' timestamp='1358142991' post='6223803']
[quote]
Alliss is my favourite, but Faldo is certainly up there.

Wayne Riley is great too
[/quote]

The Wayne Riley comment was a troll right? Radar was a beer swilling angry yob as a tour player, and he just got worse from there. His reinvented theatrical persona with contrived campy elocution accent isnt fooling anyone. Radar was in the commentary box at Aus PGA recently when Norman did a guest stint. The Shark ripped Radar a new one about his new image, between guffaws.
[/quote]

To me, Radar is the aural equivalent of fingernails scratching down a blackboard. Can't stand his inane reminisces.

Among those commentators (English for announcers) who broadcast in the UK, Euan Murray on Sky is the solid reliable voice of golf, sort of like a Peter Alliss without the Carry On humour. Sam Torrance is pretty good too. I like Howard Clark for on course, but can't stand Mark James who thinks he is very witty but is really an idiot.

Jim Nantz does a bit for the BBC at The Open. Seems OK if you like that evocation of the spirit of Old Tom Morris with bagpipes playing kinds commentary.

My all-time favourite American commentator was Dave Marr. Great voice, timing and delivery and a well measured wit.

[mr smith]

[quote name='laguna79' timestamp='1358155653' post='6224081']
It took awhile but I'm glad Renton Laidlaw got a mention.
[/quote]
One of the best in the business. He is to golf what whispering ted lowe was to snooker.

[tv23]

[b]best[/b]
1. ken venturi
2. peter alliss
3. colin montgomery
4. ian baker-finch
5. roger maltby
6. vern lundquist
7. renton laidlaw
8. johnny miller
9. judy rankin
10. peter kostis

[u]honorable mention: [/u]curt byrum for slugging it out in the minors all these years.

[b]worst[/b]
1. chris berman (wtf is he doing calling golf? absolutely ridiculous)
2. brandel chamblee
3. jerry foltz
4. tom abbott
5. vince cellini
6. lanny wadkins
7. kelly tilghman
8. jay townsend
9. dan hicks
10. dottie pepper

[Kaysquare]

[quote name='mr smith' timestamp='1358082063' post='6219205']
A word of advice for the op. When poting a list of top 10 anouncers dont lead in with Nantz, you lost all credibility with anyone with an ounce of taste right there. Faldo anywhere on that list is another crime against golfing sensibility, but number 1????
[/quote]

I was wondering if I'd be the only one here who simply cannot stand to listen to Jim Nantz wax poetic in his smarmy fashion, because he just loves the sound of his own voice. And I'm also sick of Faldo & his cockney mumbling. Thank you!

[golfortennis]

OK, I guess I'll be the grammar cop. The OP says "commentate on McCord". Comment is the word to use in that situation. Can we please have an editor. This wasn't just a person's post in a thread(although many of those could use a moment of reflection), it was a prepared article. As such, should be held to a higher standard.

That minor issue aside, yes Judy Rankin should be on the list, as should Renton Laidlaw. Nantz has no business on here. I like Maltbie, my only knock is that he seems to always be looking for approval from Miller. Likely not the case, but it certainly comes across that way at times.

[4thand11]

Nice to see Nobilo on that list, I think he is probably the best.

I still like Feherty I think he has the right combination of knowledge/insight, and entertainment "schtick".

Johnny Miller is horrible, so negative and seems to get absolutely no enjoyment from watching golf. When I watched him call the US Open all he did was criticize and talk endlessly about whether a drive was going to end up in a divot or not.

All the Euro Tour guys on the Golf Channel seem to do a great job, don't know all of their names but I love the laid-back attitude they bring to the coverage.