Mike,
What peaked my interest was a remark made by a commentator during the final match of the U.S. Am at Newport between Tiger and Buddy.
He didn't have a clue with respect to fast and firm and the lack of a fairway irrigation system at Newport.
He remarked that the course was getting brown and in desperate need of lots of rain, not understanding how wonderful Newport plays when it's brown, or brownish-yellowish-green.
To the masses that viewed the match, some of these commentators are viewed as all-knowing, hence, it was the worst possible message to diseminate.
Green, Green and more green, with lots of flowers and fancy mowing patterns seems to be the overriding theme of these presentations.
Last wednesay I played with a fellow who will be his club's next President. He was commenting on the nice flowers around the clubhouse grounds and remarked that he intended to plant lots of flowers and flowering shrubs around his course.
As we arrived at every tee and green I asked him if he saw any flower beds or ornamental plantings. He didn't.
I told him that if he wanted to see those things that he should go to the Bronx Botanical Gardens and not golf courses.
He remarked how he had seen so many nice flowers and plantings on TV when he was watching golf tournaments.
It dawned on me that TV was selling the sizzle, not the steak.
And that the average viewer sees only what the camera focuses on.
I like the fact that Golfweek allows Brad Klein the opportunity to highlight the architectural aspects of golf courses, it's unfortunate that TV doesn't make an attempt to do the same.