Is this boring?

[Craig Sweet]

A difficult course. A tight leader board. Some wind and rain.  Why can't NBC build a compelling narrative for this Open?

[Tom_Doak]

A difficult course. A tight leader board. Some wind and rain.  Why can't NBC build a compelling narrative for this Open?

They had the same problem last year.

[Peter Sayegh]

A difficult course. A tight leader board. Some wind and rain.  Why can't NBC build a compelling narrative for this Open?

Craig, are you criticizing major tournament coverage in general or NBC this week in particular?
Just curious because I only watch the four majors and the Ryder Cup these days.
The competition is compelling enough for me. No need for a "narrative."

[Mike Bodo]

I'm loving this Open Championship, much more than last year. It's great seeing guys shoot low one day and blow-up the next and vice versa. Troon has definitely impressed me more than I can recall previously. I love the course and it presents itself well on TV. FWIW, I only watch the featured groups on the Open Championships app Thursday and Friday and prefer their commentators to NBC's. The British humor is something US commentators could take a page learn from. The banter is often hilarious!

[Kalen Braley]

Craig how are you measuring NBC's performance?

So far this tourney has been very compelling to watch, certainly more so than the PGA.  And the 7-12 stretch is just terrific...

[Rob Marshall]

I thought it was great this morning when they explained the reason why a player would have his hat on backwards……

[Bernie Bell]

Sound off, listen to Sirius/XM 92.  Brilliant.

[David Cronan]

I seldom watch professional golf anymore but I definitely pencil in The Open each year as “Must See TV”.


That said, the talking heads of golf have some of the most annoying cliches found in sports.


“He’s a great driver of the golf ball.” No shit. Thanks for clarifying you weren’t speaking of his skills at negotiating a tractor trailer on ice.


“He just has to clean up this 4 footer for par.” Never understood. A mess of the hole?


“This putt breaks from left to right.” Again, thanks. I was thinking left to left.


“He has 171 to cover that bunker.” A relatively new one but overused within the 1st month of its use.


“There’s no quit in ( fill in the blank)”…after player is +13 at the 17th tee, on Friday and he sticks his approach to 8’, all while thinking ‘I wish this group in front of us would pick up anchor so I can sleep in my own bed tonight’.


“ He got to cute with that one, Jimmy.” No. He was too aggressive.


“You have no idea how good that was.” Actually, those of us that play more than once a year do know.


“Sometimes a bogey putt that goes in is better than a par or birdie.” Mathematics dictate otherwise.


Rant finished!


Any others?

[Phil Young]

David, what drives me crazy is the stupidity of the phrase, "He hit a great golf shot!" Gee, I thought it was either a slapshot or a foul shot..." What game do they think the viewer believes is being played?

[Tommy Williamsen]

When I want to complain, I think doing commentary without a rewind button is challenging. I know they are professional, but they must be on every minute.

[Michael Morandi]

I think it was Gary McCord who said that after years of calling golf it got hard to make an 8 foot putt exciting.

[David Cronan]

When I want to complain, I think doing commentary without a rewind button is challenging. I know they are professional, but they must be on every minute.

I’m sure it’s very challenging, but most don’t buy into the philosophy that a short period of dead air is not a dereliction of duty.

[Craig Sweet]

The golf course is compelling with the wind today. The golf has been scattered. The commentary is annoying. Are they trying to force interest? If they would shut up, the course and golf being played will speak for itself.


Maybe NBC is waiting for a story to emerge tomorrow or late on Sunday's round? 

[Greg Hohman]

I seldom watch professional golf anymore but I definitely pencil in The Open each year as “Must See TV”.


That said, the talking heads of golf have some of the most annoying cliches found in sports.


“He’s a great driver of the golf ball.” No shit. Thanks for clarifying you weren’t speaking of his skills at negotiating a tractor trailer on ice.


“He just has to clean up this 4 footer for par.” Never understood. A mess of the hole?


“This putt breaks from left to right.” Again, thanks. I was thinking left to left.


“He has 171 to cover that bunker.” A relatively new one but overused within the 1st month of its use.


“There’s no quit in ( fill in the blank)”…after player is +13 at the 17th tee, on Friday and he sticks his approach to 8’, all while thinking ‘I wish this group in front of us would pick up anchor so I can sleep in my own bed tonight’.


“ He got to cute with that one, Jimmy.” No. He was too aggressive.


“You have no idea how good that was.” Actually, those of us that play more than once a year do know.


“Sometimes a bogey putt that goes in is better than a par or birdie.” Mathematics dictate otherwise.


Rant finished!


Any others?

A British tic: "If I'm honest, [ followed by a remark ]." It has variations too, which I won't list.

[Joe Hancock]

There’s no money in doing less…..people who are paid to speak are going to speak. It’s human nature to justify one’s value.

[David Cronan]

There’s no money in doing less…..people who are paid to speak are going to speak. It’s human nature to justify one’s value.

Makes sense. I’ve never tipped a mime.

[mike_beene]

I think golf commentary is geared towards the non-golfer. I prefer this to the Masters, where the commentators seem to think they matter. “Hello friends.” I don’t know that guy from Adam.

[Sean_A]

I know people gave him stick, but Peter Aliss was miles better than anything on tv these days.

Ciao

[Matthew Rose]

"the golf course is in great shape".

I should hope so; they are hosting a tournament.

[Jeff Schley]

I know people gave him stick, but Peter Aliss was miles better than anything on tv these days.

Ciao

True Sean, you knew you were watching The Open when you heard his voice on TV in the US during July.  Some may have seen the Olympics is using Al Michaels voice digitally using AI to broadcast some parts, he agreed and will be interesting.  If there was a way to do so with Peter Aliss then by all means I'd welcome him and Renton Laidlaw.

[Jim_Coleman]

    “That shot took great courage.” Please, let’s leave courage for first responders and heroes.

[Peter Sayegh]

I know people gave him stick, but Peter Aliss was miles better than anything on tv these days.

Ciao

Very true.

[John Blain]

David, what drives me crazy is the stupidity of the phrase, "He hit a great golf shot!" Gee, I thought it was either a slapshot or a foul shot..." What game do they think the viewer believes is being played?

Why do announcers always refer to the ball as the "golf ball?"  "That's the golf ball of Tiger Woods." Really? No kidding, huh? 

[Tim Martin]

I haven’t been bored and love the golf course and ever changing weather conditions which have delivered a compelling tournament. I agree that Peter Alliss is missed as well as Ivor Robson on the 1st tee.

[Joe Hancock]

Apparently “fescue” is no longer a species of grass, but a height of cut…or uncut, as it were.