Follow Up: Snapchat, The PGA Tour & Social Media's Future

You may recall the debate over the use of social media at PGA Tour events and my view that there was a trace of hypocrisy in the tour's disdain for Periscope as it was encouraging the use of Snapchat at The Players.

Well, I watched the "Stories" compilation of fan videos posted to Snapchat today. (Once I remembered how to navigate the app's horrible interface.)

The Monday "story" posted by the tour consisting of fan videos was mostly excellent because it relied on fan footage of late final round action along with behind the scenes clips not seen on NBC's telecast. As a media member, if I had shot any of the clips showing players or shots, I'd be in violation of the agreement signed when getting my credential. A few of those violations and I'd suffer the same fate as Stephanie Wei.

So it's with great reluctance that I praise the paid "Stories" posting by the tour since it was compelling and seemingly impressive to a young fan who missed the excitement. However, the content accumulated was in direct violation of signage throughout the Players property reminding fans not to shoot video.

There was no question the piece was well done and encapsulated the special nature of the 2015 Players. But now it's gone--Snapchat contend vanishes after you watch it once--but the issue of media and fans shooting video at PGA Tour events remains a total mess.

In Other Overrated Golfer News...A Defense Of Ian Poulter

Ian Poulter is one of the most underrated players in the game. Despite what his peers say.

And while I don't agree on one poing with The Independent's Kevin Garside that had Poulter kept his mouth shut, he'd be better appreciated, Garside makes a strong case for the Englishman's talent.

Only 21 players in the history of European golf have a better ledger than his. At the Masters this year he was 10 under par across the weekend, carding a pair of 67s, the best finish by anyone who made the cut. Rubbish, eh?

As ever with these things, the haters are looking in the wrong direction. Instead of comparing Poulter with McIlroy, Tiger Woods and the uber elite, his detractors should look the other way at all those who have played the game professionally and returned a fraction of Poulter’s bullion.

How many careers began as inauspiciously as his, off a handicap of four while selling Mars bars in a pro shop? And that’s not plus four by the way, the kind of polished accoutrement boasted by the graduates of the American collegiate system. No, that’s a dear, old, single handicap four, the kind you see battling it out for the Sunday medal.

Poulter learned the game a million miles from the gilded country club scene in the United States. There was no money for private lessons. He progressed through bloody-mindedness and hard graft, making the most of what talent he had.

NBC Shows 381 Regulation Shots From The Players

I hate to be the bearer of bad news American TV viewers: it's all downhill from here.

The second of two big golf tournaments with limited commercial interruptions has been played and NBC showed an astounding number of shots during Sunday's thrilling 2015 Players finale.

It's entirely possible Fox Sports may limit themselves to four breaks/six minutes of commercials an hour (or less) at the U.S. Open (as previous partner NBC did), but I've yet to hear any announced plans for a Masters or Players-like presentation. And we already (sadly) know how The Open Championship and PGA Championship play out commercial-wise.

ClassicSportsTV.com tracked the shots from Sunday's Players and reports...

I tracked the televised strokes by player during the NBC airing of the final round of the Players Championship. NBC showed 381 regulation strokes from the Sunday round. The telecast began at 2pm ET and regulation play ended at 6:48, so this worked out to 1.32 strokes per minute - the highest average of the six events I have tracked.

Also worth noting: winner Rickie Fowler only accounted for 12 of the regulation shots (all of his playoff shots were seen, but not included in the above summary).

Some More Topgolf Numbers: Links At El Segundo Edition

The Daily Breeze's Carley Dryden reports the city of El Segundo is returning to a plan to bring a TopGolf facility to their city after flirting with the red-hot range and bar chain three years ago.

The story offers some fun details into the projected financials.

Last week, the consultant hired to conduct a third-party analysis of the proposal told the council the Topgolf concept will bring the city nearly $210,000 in annual revenue, compared to the $5,600 it receives currently from The Lakes. The concept would produce more than 400 jobs and nearly $40 million in regional gross product, said Gene Krekorian of Pro Forma Advisors LLC.

What’s more is the sub-lessee, CenterCal, will cover the cost of much-needed improvements to the city-owned course, as the city continues to battle budget woes.

As part of the newest terms proposed by Topgolf, the Dallas-based company also will pay a $525,000 ground lease rent, escalating by 2 percent each year until the fifth year and 10 percent every five years after, will provide $400,000 in cash toward lighting on the golf course, will waive the business license sales tax credit it’s entitled to, will offer a revenue share on beverage sales, and more.

“Right here is a pot of gold for our city and all the people who live and work here,” Councilman Dave Atkinson said. “We have things that need to be repaired, and the city doesn’t have (the money for them).”

Major Changes To TPC Sawgrass Coming Soon?

The course is slated to be re-grassed after the 2016 Players and while he makes no mention of a much needed Pinehursting of TPC Sawgrass, Rex Hoggard reports that players have been briefed on possible design changes. New tees on a few holes are expected, as is a re-imagining of the bland 12th hole.

Hoggard writes:

At just 350 yards, the 12th is historically one of the Stadium Course’s easiest holes, with a small green and large mounds left of the fairway meant to create a blind approach shot.

The plan is to make the hole a drivable par 4 by knocking down the mounds, creating a water hazard, and repositioning the green, and playing it between 270 and 330 yards.

The hole was redesigned by Pete Dye during the last re-grassing and it just has not inspired.

Let's see what the details look like. However, I'm confident that anything to improve the 12th will be a positive, assuming Mr. Dye gets another crack at it. Third time's the charm!