This week, allow me to depart from the usual. While this column is usually about local golf courses, food, and in the near future, golf equipment, this week I’d like to give my views on international golf. To be more specific, let me give my two cents on the PGA Tour v LIV issue, made-for-TV golf, golf on streaming platforms, and the need to “grow the game.”
PGA Tour v LIV Golf
This issue has been on the news and in social media for well over a year now. The inaugural LIV London Invitational held in June 2022 drew mixed reactions, but way before the first tournament, the mudslinging was already in full gear.
Aside from huge contracts (some in the nine-figures in US Dollars), having a polarizing CEO in Greg Norman, and funding from Saudi’s Public Investment Fund ensured strong sentiments from various sectors.
Personally, I am of the opinion that when it comes to livelihood, we should respect each professional’s decision. As I’ve often seen in comment sections on social media, if someone is offered a much bigger (guaranteed!) salary for much less work, it’s a no brainer. Records and legacy aside, if you aren’t close to dominating the sport, then getting a huge paycheck is an easy choice to make for any professional. That is the essence of being a pro after all, being paid to play.
Among the issues hurled at LIV is the source of their funding. But the PGA Tour also has sponsors with money from the same region. So for me, that is a bunch of the pot calling the kettle black. Both LIV and the PGA Tour have oil-stained hands. On the issues of recruiting players and giving large contracts, and on funding, I am for LIV.
As for growing the game of golf, LIV has also done well by holding tournaments outside the usual venues, with events played other than in the US and Europe. So that’s another plus.
Where I have an issue with LIV is their attempts at legitimacy. They want their players in majors, they want official golf rankings, they want to play both LIV and regular tour events.
Double dipping is where I draw the line. LIV came up with their own 54-hole format, without cuts and without a real qualifying process. For all intents and purposes, LIV is an exhibition, a big-stakes league that plays under their own rules. Asking everybody else to bend backwards reeks of entitlement.
Play your own league, enjoy bathing in all that cash, but keep to yourselves. Don’t take spots away from other touring pros in regular events and majors.
Golf’s Growth
The PGA v LIV debacle has directly and indirectly impacted the game we love. With competition comes the need to improve your product and that can only be good for everyone. More money means more events, more events mean bigger reach, and bigger reach means growth for the game.
Often viewed as an old, rich man’s game, golf is slowly going mainstream.
Specials have always been part of modern golf. Events like the Ryder Cup, one on one pay-per-view battles, skins games, Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf, and many other non-traditional formats have helped demystify and make golf more exciting and enticing.
Recently, in addition to these made-for-TV events, streaming platform leader Netflix has gotten into the fray. It started with a series about players, Full Swing. It was an inside look into top golfers, up-and-comers, and even those like Ian Poulter who joined LIV.
It was a light, entertaining and informative look at golfers we often only see during tournament time. A new addition to the streaming platform is live sports. With the recently held Netflix Cup, live sports was launched by Netflix by holding an exhibition game combining golf and Formula 1.
The event itself was a dud. In Filipino, I found the event pilit and baduy. While it was fun to see F1 drivers playing golf alongside PGA stars, the format, the commentary, and the venue were all disappointing.
I know it was part of the promotions for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, but I wish they hadn’t stuck golf in there. It was as out of place as the “sphere” was beside a golf course.
There is always talk about the need to grow golf. I agree, our sport should be more accessible. As someone who has played a number of sports competitively and for leisure, I can definitely say that golf is the best game in the world.
It fosters camaraderie, builds character and promotes honesty and integrity. Our game can also be enjoyed for life. From toddlers to well into our 80s, golf can still be played and enjoyed. Golf though can be inaccessible for most.
To grow the game, we need more than promotion, novelty and mainstream presence. We need golf to become cheaper. That is golf’s biggest hurdle. That and the time it takes to play and the space required for golf courses — both commodities in today’s fast-paced and overcrowded world.
