Mushnick Looks At Golf's Gambling Push: "On-course, incivility...only can grow worse"

New York Post graphic illustration

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick considered the NFL and PGA Tour pushes into gambling, and highlighted PGA Tour Vice President Norb Gambuzza’s declaration that “Golf is open for the business of betting.”

Mushnick’s use of PGA instead of PGA Tour is hardly a first or a serious crime, and it’s his concern for gambling on shots played that is what matters. Especially with fans able to (someday soon) place bets on their phone.

Gambling on golf — more specifically on golfers — creates disturbing sooner-or-later scenarios. Even more gamblers, who already could bet via “fantasy sites,” can now stand just a few feet from those they bet on — or more significantly, bet against. On-course, incivility, already on the rise with the PGA’s reliance on alcohol sales, only can grow worse.

Just think of the patron, drunk or sober, who can win 10 grand if this guy misses a 6-footer on 18.

He also raises the specter of player’s being abused by those who lose a bet.

At last year’s Masters, Jason Day, among the betting favorites, withdrew during the first round after reinjuring his back. The direct vitriol he then received from “fans” on social media left him staggered. Think any of those hateful missives were from gamblers?

While those cases are likely to be rare, with alcohol sales not being cut off until late in the day…

Anyway, the question raised by Mushnick matches the initial reaction a lot of longtime observers have about golf gambling: there may be troubles.

Another reason, in my view, the PGA Tour’s initial focus should be on fantasy lineup play and perhaps live betting to start. Though even the live betting could create on-course problems unless security is upgraded and alcohol sales are cut off a lot earlier.