Golf Digest's waste of Ron Whitten

[Tom MacWood (Guest)]

Ron Whitten has been with GD along time - two decades? He is one of the most talented and knowledgable (and influencial) golf writers of our time. He is responseable for a large number of the most interesting articles in GD (and Golf World) during that same period. Sadly his space has always been somewhat limited, with the exception of the annual US Open issue (and sometimes Masters and PGA) and periodic architectural features in Golf World. I thought he was being wasted then, it seems like it has gotten even worse, now he is really being wasted. Why? Do they realize what they have and how boring their magazine has become? How many articles do you need on curing a slice?

[Patrick_Mucci]

Tom MacWood,

I've thought the same thing, that the magazine is wasting a valueable resource, or at the very least not maximizing his potential, their asset.

I would imagine that the magazine doesn't think that architectural articles/topics sell magazines.

I've written them and suggested a more expanded section on architecture, but without more prodding, from greater numbers of readers, I don't see it happening.

[Tyler Kearns]

Tom & Pat,
        In an old issue of Golf Digest they polled their subscribers to see what the readers wanted to see more of in the magazine. Architecture rated near the bottom, hence it is routinely omitted from its glossy pages. It's sad that a talent like Ron Whitten doesn't get to practice his craft more often, but in this case, that's what the market demands! In the end, it will probably be up to him to pursue more architecturally related work.
        In recent communication, he has been spending time researching and updating The Architects of Golf, and is currently trying to get it published!! Hats off to his ambitious effort, a great reference to a student of golf architecture.

Tyler Kearns
        

[yogi_barry]

It seems amazing to me that GCArchitecture is near the bottom - I understand that GD was overwhelmed with the armchair architect responses.  I suppose that GD has its place - but so do magazines like "Links" which won't help much with your slice..!

As for me, I'll keep my subscription to Links Magazine...

Steve

[Kevin_Reilly]

Speaking of Links (sorry for the threadjack Tom), my free subscription (I signed up for the free sub on the Taylor Made site....search the archives here for the link) just started, and I've to to say....well I've been told never to look a gift horse in the mouth.  It is worth about what I paid for it.  Am I off base?

[Ben Cowan-Dewar]

I very much agree with you Tom.

I think those poll questions are misleading.  I think when you ask the average golfer what golf architecture is, they believe it to be above the average Joe.  However, the number of average golfers (Joes) that ask us "who designed the course?", is unbelievable.

I think the response to the design contests speak volumes.

Polls can be tricky, I would like to see how they are worded, or even if people respond differently to the term design.

[Brian Phillips]

Tom,

I have to agree.  Ron is not only one of the most intelligent writers of this era but also one of the funniest stand up comedians within the circle of architects and writers I have seen.

Jeff Brauer and him make a good duo!

Brian.

[redanman]

Kevin

Did the West Coast edition sound like this.......

My East Coast Edition (Both of them) of Links this month looked like a real estate sales guide with three fair to decent articles on various Golf Courses.

But,  for the first time there were about 8-10 cardboard pages in a row in the middle of the magazine with tear out post cards for more info on the aforementioned real estate.

At least Jack Purcell is getting honest.

Worth what I paid for it?  Hmmmmmmmmmmm...  Inquiring minds don't really care.  The photography is generally first rate and after all, it is free.  Good W.C. material.  For perousing, I meant.  (For you gutter minds out there.)

[Paul Richards]

Tom;

Ron is indeed a very knowledgeable and interesting man and it does seem to be a waste that Golf Digest is not utilizing this man and his talents better.

[Joel_Stewart]

Has anyone written Jerry Tarde the editor in chief or Roger Schiffman the managing editor?

4 Times Square, 7th floor
NY, NY  10036

[Rick Shefchik]

Maybe I'm slightly underestimating the intelligence of the typical GD reader, but perhaps their eyes glaze over at the word "architecture" (at least when asked about it in a survey.)

On the other hand, I can't think of any semi-serious players who don't swoon at the sight of photos of golf courses. Maybe the subject would interest GD's readers more if we came up with a sexier name for it.

Any ideas?

[RJ_Daley]

Rick, that is what Ben said.

It is interesting that they rated GCA low in the poll of things they like to see in the mag.  Yet, there is such a high response to the armchair archie contests.  But then again, if the number of responses to the armchair archie was the total or majority of their readers, they would fold tomorrow.  It is a high number to enter a contest and for them to go over the entries for rating, but not high numbers for a subscribership of a national publication.

We GCA junkies are a rare species of fish in a sea of the overall golfing public.  I reckon that Whitten's contributions will stand for themselves, particularly his noble effort to get the appreciation for GCA ball rolling again in the collaboration with Geoffrey Cornish on "The Golf Course" in the 1980s.  There are several wonderful golf architecture writers now, but their recognition/appreciation factor will always be constrained by the size of their audience, and the diminishing emphasis by younger people to enjoy books, IMHO.

[Rob_Waldron]

I think it would be interesting to see the results of a new poll. In the past few years it seems like the role of the architect has moved to the forefront particularly with respect to older private clubs.  Architects have become much more recognizable with the proliferation of high end daily fee courses. Historically the better known architects seemed to have focussed more of their efforts on private clubs.  Today names such as Fazio, Hurdzan & Fry, and Pete Dye are very visible.

In the past few years one magazine (I do not recall which one) actually published a "family tree" of architects. The tree identified who worked for who and who influeced who. It was very interesting!
 

[Craig Van Egmond]

Rob,

    I believe it was Sports Illustrated who did the family tree thing in their golf section. Somebody posted a copy of it on this site, if someone can find it via the search engine.

[Dan Kelly]

Any ideas?

Sure, I've got plenty of them. More than plenty, really.

Forget the word "architecture." You're right: It's dull, and it's academic-sounding. No wonder the readers say they aren't interested.

And you're right, too, about golfers' salivating at good golf-course pictures.

So: Eliminate the word! Emphasize the pictures!

Years ago, in search of assignments, I sent to Golf Digest a long list (a LONG list) of story ideas -- most of them having to do with (a) course architecture, and (b) golf history.

One thing I proposed was a monthly series of in-depth articles about classic courses -- blending architecture and history, and featuring any number of mouth-watering photographs (as many as possible!) of the courses that many, many golfers have heard of, but which few, few golfers will ever have the chance to play: places like Chicago GC, LACC, Prairie Dunes, Cypress Point, Seminole.

The editor who responded to me said, in essence: "Hey, great ideas! Thanks. But I'm sorry to tell you: Ron Whitten's got a ton of ideas, too, and he's constantly frustrated because we can't give him as much space as he wants. Sorry to say, but the readers don't give a rat's ass about course design. They want to know how to get rid of their slice."

I thought he was wrong then. I think he's wrong now. But it's their magazine, not mine!

Alas.


  

[Chris_Clouser]

Dan,

You are correct and they are wrong.  The magazine publishers underestimate what their readers can really take on.  Part of that is because for years all they have been giving them are the same "cures for your slice" every month.  So that is all the readers expect from the magazines.  Content feeds expectations which feed content and the cycle spirals down from there.  It's the same thing that I see in my workplace day after day.  

My father is a prime example of the typical Golf Digest reader.  He was amazed when I got back from my trip to Oklahoma and told him about all the "different" courses I saw.  He just assumed most courses were relatively the same and maybe had a unique hole here and there because that's all that he ever sees in the real estate sections of the magazines.  How many courses have island greens in their ads or compare themselves to Augusta, Pebble Beach or St. Andrews.  He even asked me really how special could a place like Prairie Dunes be if it isn't a PGA Tour stop or hosted a major championship.  After many hours of conversation I think he is beginning to see the light.  

[frank_D]

golf digest advertising pages have increased 57% to 111 pages in Jan 2003 (per the NY times jan 6 03 section C1 p 21)and the articles - including mr whitten's contributions to the magazine - creates value the advertisers are recognizing - this in magazines is the best indication of reader interest beside actual circulation - while limited in text - his articles are among the first i look for and have often wanted the collection of courses discussed expanded to include more
[as an aside i have also contacted him directly - twice by telephone - and on both occasions he was very helpful and generous with his advise eventhough he did not know me or who i was(once on apr 2 01 requesting his opinion on orlando area courses and again on jan 2 02 for information on my search locating a twelve hole golf course)]

[Paul Richards]

Tom:

GD may be wasting Mr. Whitten's talents, but, after all, they did send him to Ireland to check out Doonbeg, which became their Top International course for the year, in the latest issue.