"Unfortunately, this is what the post-Tiger golf world will likely look like."

I've wondered when we'd see a mainstream media rant about the state of golf. It seems the LPGA's boneheaded moves combined with the PGA Tour's odd green-lighting of the media room execution chamber lit a fire under the AP's Tim Dahlberg.

Remember, this went out on the wires...a sampling:

With TV ratings plunging even before the start of the NFL season and the concept of the FedEx Cup still lost on millions of golf fans, the tour apparently thought that putting a few rows of seats behind mirrors in the media tent so people could watch the sweaty media ask a few questions to equally sweaty players would be a great way to allow fans to bond with their favorite players.

What they didn't count on was that reporters might not like the idea of being on display like criminals in a police lineup. One packed up his stuff and left, while others are boycotting the interview room all together, taking a cue from players who try to escape it whenever they can, too.

Too bad, because there's nothing like listening to Singh regale the media with tales of great 7-irons and putts that were so good they had to go in.

What a guy, that Veej, clearly enjoying himself so much that even the folks in the cheap seats could see he could barely tear himself away after five minutes of going over birdies and bogeys to head back to the range.

Imagine telling your buddies about that the next day at the office.

"He was close enough to touch, if we hadn't been behind the one-way mirrors, that is. You know, I've never noticed how he takes his visor off and wipes his brow when he sits down, either. And the look of exasperation he gave when a reporter dared ask him about his 3-putt? Priceless."

Unfortunately, this is what the post-Tiger golf world will likely look like. Boring players who make no effort to connect with the fans going through the motions only because they have to.

Here's what I don't get about the media room viewing area. It may not sound like a big deal to most, but consider that Tim Finchem did not sit in there for his chat with the media for obvious reasons. There's a bit of privacy lost. Now, players are already careful with the media as it is, but these press sessions are still where we learn the little details that humanize them to the average fan. But with an audience behind mirrored walls, the players are just a bit more unlikely to open up.

Is that something the Tour really wants?

Comments

[jason]

Tiger's press conferences are horrible and he rarely connects with fans, save for when he beans one with his wayward drives.

[Bob Brancato]

Golf is a by nature a solitary pursuit. One can expect the individuals attracted to excel at the sport to be outside the Dale Carnegie mold, with notable exceptions, Mr. Palmer being foremost.

[kudzu]

How about the fact that it effectively makes the reporters employees of the Tour? They are providing entertainment for paying customers by asking the questions, etc.-- shouldn't they get a check? BTW, this is something that should have been pointed out the moment the Golf Channel started broadcasting press conferences. I'm always astounded that no reporter mentioned (at least not publically) that they were (a) broadcasting images of reporters without explicit permission; (b) using the reporters (as mentioned above) as saleable entertainment; (c) short-circuiting the process by which what was said in the press room was for print media only (if broadcast media could use it too, why does broadcast media get its own time with players immediately after they come off the course)?

[thusgone]

not sure i understand how "a bit of privacy was lost" by allowing the paying customers to see the sausage being made in the media room. the notion of an expectation of privacy in a place expressly for allowing newsmedia to interview players for publication is lost on me.

methinks the real problem is that it makes being a member of the elect just a little less special when anyone with the price of a daily grounds pass can see what goes on. also, isn't it just a little hypocritical for someone conducting an interview for publication to claim invasion of privacy? the spectators to the process now put the players and their interviewers in the same boat. finally, if the process is as boring and tiresome as described, i'd guess the media have little to fear from the paying public once word gets out.

[F. X.]

The Golf Channel was a lot better when it just broadcast the player interviews in full in real time back 7 or 8 years ago before they went over to the 'one big infomercial' approach that guts any pretensions about journalism.

[Mike C.]

More media whining. Suck it up guys. This is the profession you have chosen.

[BillV]

Honestly, how often does one really want to hear what a player has to say? Tiger's not excused from being boring and I for one would so rather play than watch other than to see a different course shown on TV and think the coverage is wider sans Tiger. And maybe better. This is what happens when golf pitches for pure ratings numbers which Tiger has made a huge difference for those numbers. General sports fans are so ignorant about the sports they watch that they actually want to listen to these tools talk. Like Tiger's really going to make you play better? Fat chance.

Today after the F1 race in Belgium, winner Lewis Hamilton went on a little bit about some of the facets that he experienced in a furiously difficult last two laps in the rain as he won and finally said "Oh, I'm just babbling" but it was probably the most interesting babbling I've ever heard from a sportsman of any kind. Just tremendous insight into driving from a gut level.

Very rarely it does happen in golf, but I cannot remember the last ANY golfer didn't speak in anything other than platitudes. I'm guessing it was someone talking about their putting.

Open Championship coverage on BBC is still the standard for golf. It can be completely devoid of comment for frighteningly long periods of time by American standards.

[walker]

The only time I have ever seen a sweaty writer was at the 1990 British Open media "centre" on a hot day with no air conditioning in the tent. They actually had to go out on the course to cool down.

[Sir Real]

Don't see "Journaviewing" as the next great thing. As for the post Tiger era...it's still the GAME....always will be the game...the characters(of which we need more) and their talent are what make it compelling. The media, through ceaseless pontification of the dominant player, almost ruin it for many who would like to enjoy ALL the golf. Witness the Open and PGA coverage...talking heads and scribes just COULDN'T let go of the fact Tiger wasn't playing! Get over it.

[thusgone]

billv: i agree 1000% re: bbc open coverage. i wish one of the us outlets would adopt this approach, but i know in my heart it will never happen.

[Tim]

BBC coverage works because they're on for 11 hours straight with no commercial breaks; the announcers need to breathe a bit, but as they tend to do 2 hour stints and then rotate, they tend to get a little punch drunk by about 90 minutes, and come out with hilarious statements that, although mildly offensive to some touchy types, are very funny. Because of the media straight-jacket imposed on the North American media by their owners (and viewers, it may be said), no such levity exists over there -- although Johnny Miller is trying today (tonite for me - in the UK) with his odd witty comment.

[86general]

Watch and read sports for about 5 years and you've heard just about everything anyone will ever say.

Some people make good TV, give good interviews, and entertain others. Most people don't. It's not something you can really teach someone. Golfers should be polite, personable, and friendly to their pro-am partners. They should be cooperative and civil to the media, and they should try to give them something.

But it's true--Tiger is a lousy interview, and is as sullen and grouchy as many other athletes. Obviously it isn't his personality that drives golf's popularity.

[Bob]

Really? The Tour tries to create a remote interest in the printed story, and these babies want to complain? Ok, how about this - no one cares about you and your beloved questions that go into an outlet no one reads because no one has time. Feel fortunate to have a job. Stop bitching because each of you are on the cusp of falling victim to a "budget cut."

How dare anyone created interest in the printed word! Unreal...

[B.I.G.]

Alas, golf as we thought we knew and loved it is gone. It was, is, and always will be about the major championships.

The PGA Tour week in and week out has always been a nap inducer...we just don't remember it that way.

I for one stopped watching after the PGA, will watch every swing at The Ryder Cup, and then check back in at The Masters.

[johnny knoxville]

Eliminate the one way mirror and let a few paying customers sit and watch the interview. What's the big deal. I wouldn't want to waste my time listening to a live interview, but maybe some would.

Also, are they still paying those big PGA guys to come up with one-way mirror ideas. What a dumnut idea.

[Love Golf]

Plays golf so interested , love it

[Four-putt]

Really? The Tour tries to create a remote interest in the printed story, and these babies want to complain? Ok, how about this - no one cares about you and your beloved questions that go into an outlet no one reads because no one has time. Feel fortunate to have a job. Stop bitching because each of you are on the cusp of falling victim to a "budget cut."

How dare anyone created interest in the printed word! Unreal...
09.7.2008 | Bob
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Bob,
Calm down. Put on some clean underwear, walk upstairs and say hello to your Mom.

4p