Thankfully, Paul Azinger's boneheaded comments about trees (give us more!) ...

[Dan Kelly]

... and fairway width (these are too wide for a U.S. Open!), will be ignored by all golf-course architects worthy of the name.

[Kevin_Reilly]

I just heard those comments from Azinger.


He is a rocket surgeon on most things golf-related, and this was no exception.

[John Kavanaugh]

Rocket sturgeon. But I agree with him.

[Craig Sweet]

Crap commentators.

[Greg Hohman]

During a rare unmute, I heard him say these are the most beautiful bunkers he’s seen. A point in his favor or has he flattered other hosts with that one?

[Matthew Rose]

Between him and Curtis Strange, my brain and my ears are fatigued. I don't think I can handle any more worthless cliches.

[Sean_A]

Hang on, McGinley said long and straight works at LACC. Good to know.

Ciao

[Carl Rogers]

Between him and Curtis Strange, my brain and my ears are fatigued. I don't think I can handle any more worthless cliches.

I am at a point that I just turn the sound on mute for extended periods of time.

[John Kavanaugh]

I’ve been watching All Access on Peacock hosted by Porn Stash and Douchecicle. As my golf days ride off into the sunset I regret how I left the game.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Let's give 'em a break. They are on the air for hours at a time. They are bound to say some inane things or have ideas that differ from viewers. I would say dumb things as well. They just would be different dumb things. More viewers agree with Chamblee's comments about trees than disagree.

[Peter Sayegh]

I do give Azinger credit for at least one thing.
When Clark flew the pin on 9, he initially said he had a much easier putt than Fowler.

I thought I had wildly misread how the commenters/players read that green through the first two rounds.When the telecast returned from a break, Azinger admitted-at least twice-he initially misjudged Clark's putt.

He owned up to it.

[John Kavanaugh]

The trees left on 8 and 6 make both holes more interesting. Vertical and horizontal movement of the ball is a skill set that can not be lost if we are going to identify the best golfer.

[Jim Hoak]

Not to defend Azinger and Brandel, but we should remember that in golf course architecture--as in most things--there should be few absolutes, if any.  Fewer trees, wider fairways, etc., while preferable in most cases, are not absolutely true all the time.

[Craig Sweet]

"Nobody wants to win this more they he does."

[David Cronan]

I simply can't stand Azinger. My interactions and observations have led me to this opinion. That said, he truly is the Undisputed Champion in one category of announcing: The Cliche. When I do find myself watching a tournament that he's working, it's become a game to mentally note the sheer volume of cliches he falls back on. Here are some that I've noted that he uses often:


Gut check time.
Intestinal fortitude.
The ball will trundle down to the hole.
Clean this up for par.
This putt is a must maker
He wanted it more when it counted
He has that fire in the belly
You could cut the pressure out here with a knife
He has to control his emotions out there
He's Clutch Cargo right there


And that's in one afternoon.

[John Kavanaugh]

"Nobody wants to win this more they he does."

In the real world some people do want it more. Take Zion, he wants cake and vjj more than rings.

[Craig Sweet]

Who was the last great american golf commentator? 


Venturi?

[Jim_Coleman]

    John Miller, hands down. Faldo a distant second. Venturi? Nope.

[John Kirk]

For me, Bill Walton would be an excellent choice.  He would regale us with fantastic tales of playing basketball for the greatest basketball coach in history, the best Grateful Dead concerts, and his family, which would spare us from all this analysis.

[Greg Hohman]

I listen to jazz. Peter Pallotta, where are you?

[Charlie Goerges]

Just a straw man from Azinger. One of “those architects” he was referring to worked on this course and didn’t cut down all the trees. He’s arguing against phantoms in his own brain.

[Craig Sweet]

John Kirk...I think Vin Scully would would kick Azingers ass. 

[jeffwarne]

Who was the last great american golf commentator? 


Venturi?

IMHO the best commentator is Brad Faxon.
Played at a high level yet struggled as a ball striker, leading to much time spent with top instructors, and understands the mechanics of the golf swing,in addition to being a short game genius.
Architecture high IQ.
Humble.




Late in his career I took a liking to Miller and Zinger is improving.

[Andy Shulman]

How about Morgan Pressel? She's a major winner and did well on the early in the day weekend coverage. She's also a lot easier to listen to than the insufferable Azinger, which is probably why she's quickly become the lead analyst on LPGA telecasts. And, while he's not a commentator, I was impressed with another Paul - McGinley - taking Rory to task for an overly conservative gameplay and for even ending up in the bunker in which his ball embedded, leading to the bogey that sealed his fate.

[Steve Lapper]

Who was the last great american golf commentator? 


Venturi?

IMHO the best commentator is Brad Faxon.
Played at a high level yet struggled as a ball striker, leading to much time spent with top instructors, and understands the mechanics of the golf swing,in addition to being a short game genius.
Architecture high IQ.
Humble.




Late in his career I took a liking to Miller and Zinger is improving.

Jeff,
 
 Isn't he, as another famed poster here said, "a washed up short-hitter who can't compete?"




PS...I love Fax!