Tom Watson: Golf Should Not Be In The Olympics

Gabbing it up with Australian writers, the golf great won't be on the International Golf Federation's Christmas card list after this, according to an AP story:

“I still think of Olympics as track and field and not golf to be honest with you,” he said. “I don’t want to pour cold water on it, but I don’t think it should be in the Olympic Games.”

Comments

[Abu Dhabi Golfer]

Finally, some common sense talk.

Time for golf, tennis, soccer to be punted from the Games.

[jjshaka]

It's absolutely ridiculous...just like the tennis in London this year.

[D. maculata]

Orsippus knew how to draw spectators and keep it interesting.

[Rob]

I just don't see how golf is going to work in terms of event coverage.

In the case of covering a major, the networks commit time to building up the event and then spend 10-12 hours a day covering it.

Olympic event coverage is a massive jumble of concurrent events, going back and forth and relying heavily on highlights as opposed to start-to-finish coverage.

"So, with that birdie, McIlroy extends his lead to 8 shots. We'll now be leaving golf for a little while to find out what is happening at the ladies gymnastics team competition."

[Hilltop]

@Rob I think NBC has the coverage in the U.S. If so, I'm sure the Golf channel will cover 100% of the event.

[Stanley Thompson]

I do agree with Tom on this one.
Golf is not an olympic sport....not even without the pros.

[KLG]

Olympic coverage for CBC or BBC is a "massive jumble of concurrent events." The only time I remember enjoying the Olympics on TV was in 1992 when I could watch on a Victoria (BC) station. For American broadcasters Olympic coverage is a massive clusterf*ck of commentary about events and their tertiary protagonists plus commercials, with the occasional moment of actual competition. No way golf will be prime TV from Rio.

[Viz]

I wonder if you did a poll on this topic Geoff what the response would be? I'm a die hard golf fan/nut and have no desire to watch golf in the Olympics but with that being said maybe some will enjoy it"(chuckle)...

[Brad]

I think we should just let Tom Watson be 'Boss of all things golf'.
Those in charge now seemed have have royally screwed everything up

[Tighthead]

KLG,

Come on up for the next Games. We'll play some good courses and watch CBC in my den.

[william]

Now that "amateur" doesn't have much meaning in the Olympics anymore, I think the Olympics should focus attention on those sports that would otherwise not be seen by many people. Golf doesn't suffer from relative media obscurity outside the Olympics, and thus shouldn't--in my opinion--be an Olympic sport.

[digsouth]

Golf is not an ''Olimpic(sic) sport. Period.

[Ghillie]

The top players of today have something of a bit between their teeth -- they want an Olympic medal to be a centrepiece in their trophy cabinets. As most of them won't get one, perhaps interest will wane, especially with the logistical difficulties to the broadcasters and the problems the few fans of this ludicrous concept have in seeing any of it.

It appears too late to stop it in Rio. But let's hope that puts paid to this ghastly spectacle.

[Josh]

Golf shouldn't be in the Olympics because there should be no Olympics. The Olympics are boring. It's now all drive by money and hyping up athletes so they can eventually shuck products to the masses. Sorry, but you're not competing for me just because you wrap yourself in an American flag. The whole thing is a farce and should just disappear. I watched exactly 0 minutes from London this year and will do the same for all other Olympics in the future. Golf's presences in the games is moot.

[Bobby D]

Follow the money.

[smails]

"The top players of today have something of a bit between their teeth -- they want an Olympic medal to be a centrepiece in their trophy cabinets"

Bull---. Some may SAY that. but the major championship trophy goes in the middle. and no sponsor pays more for a gold medal than for a major. ever.

[Carl Spachler]

Tom is spot on!

[gov. lepetomane]

Tom! You are back on my Christmas card list!

[jjshaka]

Heck lets go all out,,,medal events in putting, bunker play , driving, banter with the beer cart hotties.....we'll save the industry.

[MacDuff]

I'm with Mr. Watson on this one.

[Buffett]

Tom s correct.

[Average Golfer]

Make it an Olympic sport when there's a golfer from a different country hitting a ball back at you.