The Role of Golf Blogs in 2009

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 3, 2009 6:53 PM EST Comment 71 comments

2008 was a difficult year for the golf media, particularly in the newspaper business. We have talked at length about the deteroioration of the local golf beat writer in major newspapers. The after effects of that have also come up here frequently, including the enriching of the teams at major media outlets. In particular, PGATour.com and golfchannel.com were able to pick up a lot of talent from newspapers and their competitors. Also, Golf Digest and Golfweek's web presences improved in 2008. With the addition of John Marvel to the Golf Digest team, I'm expecting their sites to display better synergy with their magazine in the year to come.

In spite of this consolidation in the golf industry, there's a simultaneous trend on the Internet. This past year, I've seen an explosion in the number of golf bloggers. Personally, I get a number of emails each month requesting to be on Waggle Room's blogroll. Almost always, I am happy to oblige because many of these writers are trying to simultaneously find an audience and a voice which they just will not be able to find without some help. Any successful golf blogger would tell you that.

The growth in golf blogs is profound and dynamic. The blogs fall into so many categories - deal finders, game improvement, equpiment collectors, and Tour coverage. Sal Johnson at Golf Observer has noticed much the same thing and wrote a bit about the growth of the golf blog that he has noticed.

Reader Bill Jempty tipped me off to the piece and posted a FanPost here at Waggle Room about his thoughts on what Sal had to say. In the piece, Sal expressed some real concerns about the growth of golf blogs. (He also complimented Waggle Room as a top of the line blog. And I'm very flattered, Sal. You're the major news site that I am guaranteed to read everyday.)

Among Sal's concerns are that bloggers:

can by anonymous
steal content of all kinds without proper credit
be hyper-critical without having to answer to editors or advertisers
bloggers lifting content without the perspective of being at an event

These are valid concerns with any kind of sports blogging. For the moment, though, I want to focus on blogs that discuss professional golf. The PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, and other golf organizations simply don't know how to consider golf bloggers. They have a difficult time in determining which blogs have enough standing or influence to merit a relationship. That is very difficult to measure. I can't really measure the standing of Waggle Room except by the number of hits and visitors that I get. I get emails and communication on Twitter from folks that tell me that they love the site and read it everyday. I wouldn't know that if they didn't tell me.

With more mainstream media, there are more metrics to measure influence and the players are pretty well established. We all know the Golf Channel.

I have been a podcaster, freelance writer, and blogger for six years now. I was fortunate to have begun before this wonderful explosion. I was able to form relationships with the professional tours and mainstream magazines long before there were too many golf bloggers to be aware of at once.

I've been able to get credentials and access to hundreds of great people in the industry, including players, executives, reporters, and tour officials. If I'm unfair in my reporting, or missing some of the story, the appropriate golf people contact me. These relationships have made all the difference in content for this site, Golf News Net, and The 19th Hole Golf Show.

Bloggers today are not as fortunate. For many of the reasons Sal listed, bloggers will have a difficult time being taken seriously by the stalwarts of golf. Sal claims accurately that bloggers lift from resources that on-site reporters have worked hard to produce. Some reporters draw the critical eye of bloggers for not reporting accurately or fully. There's an animosity between the two legions that really needs to be settled.

Those bloggers that aspire to be viewed on the same plane as golf beat writers will face serious challenges in achieving that goal, even with the growth of the medium. The golf tours and publications are really just beginning to figure out how to deal with bloggers. That relationship will be better defined and grow this year. How it will be defined is not mine to decide, though I am happy to consult with the golf tours and media on the topic. For what it's worth, this is not an easy topic to discuss for either side. My expectation, though, is that some golf bloggers may be able to serve as local beat reporters for publications that seek local Tour coverage now lost with the death of the local golf beat writer.

It is my belief that many golf bloggers, though, don't aspire to be journalists. They want to write their opinions, start a community, and engage in social media like blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and the like. That's going to result in some partisan rancor, some tabloid-like behavior, but also some fantastic reporting, opinion, and thought. There's a give and take in this that will continue to concern the golf industry until the industry decides how best to approach Web 2.0.

Until then, I expect that there will be a number of new golf blogs - some good, some not so much. The established golf blogs will continue to develop great content. I hope to be a part of that and expect of myself to bring you great news, opinion, and interviews in the year ahead. And I hope to become a more involved member in the golf media 2.0 community as a voice for helping to define the next step for golf blogging.

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Role of Golf Blogs

Good post, Ryan. You make a lot of good points. One of the main ones is that, for the most part, bloggers aren’t journalists and journalists aren’t bloggers. They’re two different animals. And that’s OK. When I figured out I didn’t have to try to be a “journalist,” I think I became a better blogger. There’s no shame in that. And blogging CAN be done fairly, accurately and without “stealing.”

I think a lot of people in the golf media establishment and on golf tours still aren’t comfort with bloggers, but it’s undeniable that sports and golf fans are flocking to the Web and will frequent the golf voices they enjoy. They’ll read what they like, not worrying whether it’s a journalist or blogger. And, in my opinion, that’s good for golf. The more voices in this minor sport, the better. Golf needs all the help and exposure it can get!

by Armchair Golfer on Jan 3, 2009 8:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Blogger annonymity

Ryan,

Is not an issue Sal mentions he has with bloggers. Re-read the article.

Also your link to Sal’s article is actually back to my blog post here.

Sal is nutty in some of the stuff he wrote. Like this for example=

Hopefully more of these blogs will come under control of other publication companies that buy them or advertisers that will demand more traditional ways of reporting the news.

Maybe Sal is hoping a media organization will golf observer, because the likelihood any MSM organization would buy a pre-existing golf or sports blogs ranks with pigs flying. It isn’t going to happen.

As for advertisers holding a blogger accountable. That only happens if a blogger lets it happen. How many of us golf bloggers make money or earn advertising revenue off our blogging? I’ve made a $300 in 3.5 years. A share of revenue from OTB and a ad I sold at Florida Masochist.

I’ve already addressed how if anything Sal wrote came true, it would create fewer voices among golf bloggers. I don’t see that as good.

by Bill Jempty on Jan 3, 2009 9:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That was one I added

My mistake for not distinguishing that.

I don’t know that Sal is advocating for a consolidation of all blogs, so much as rewarding great ones?

Sal comes from a professional journalism background, so he has training in a professional standard. It’s different for bloggers that don’t aspire to be professionals and that’s something that the whole industry has trouble with – not just Sal.

As for opinion, I always think that everyone should have a voice if they’re willing to put themselves out there. We’re in agreement there.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 12:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"instutional control"

I noticed that part of the article, and what bothered me was that he didn’t define exactly what he wanted the insitutions to control. If he was talking about having someone around to “fact check” things – I have no problem with that. But if he was talking content, then this is a very bad idea. If ESPN or SI or some other publishing company has their foot on the throat of the blogger, then you have problems.

Waggle Room is part of a much larger entity – but it seems that as long as things are kept in a more or less civil tone – they don’t interfere with how the site runs. I don’t recall Ryan ever having to call someone out for language or abuse.

I have seen sites where advertisers step in when anything negative gets said about their product – and you can imagine how well that sort of sensorship is received.

By the way, Sal really is a good guy – and as you can guess, his background is with traditional print media. Sometimes old habits are hard to break.

Having said all that – WOW !! These San Diego Chargers cheerleaders are SMOKIN’ !!! :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 3, 2009 11:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think that part

Was what most stood out for me. I think Sal was trying to get at the conflict of the journalistic standard and the blogging standard. He doesn’t want conjecture or rumor-based reporting in any medium. In that regard, I completely agree. I’m not so sure that censorship of opinion was his intended message.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 12:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Since when

Does the golf media concern itself with fact checking? If that’s their issue with bloggers, they ought to clean up their own house.(Not delete comments on articles pointing out the mistake rather than fixing the mistake. Since when do Cristie Kerr and Juli Inkster look alike? ;-) ) After all I didn’t pick Juli Inkster to win a tournament she wasn’t even playing in.

Bloggers make mistakes? Sure we do, I misspell Cristie Kerr’s name all the time and made other goofs. Hounddog or the Constructivist mistook Helen Alfredsson for Angela Park when watching the Evian Masters via webcam.

I didn’t pay much attention to the cheerleaders last night. A few years ago I remember the Raider cheerleaders at playoff time looking like they had other jobs at night.

by Bill Jempty on Jan 4, 2009 6:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

On that point

I COMPLETELY agree. That definitely is a case of throwing stones although I’m prone to mistakes too.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 12:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yah, that was one of my low points

What can I say? It was a fixed camera and the players were about a centimeter high at most on my screen. I think b/c I wanted Park to win it, I mistook Alfredsson for her!

by The Constructivist on Jan 6, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Golf Bloggers

Maybe I’m confused – does the internet public really expect on-site reporting from the bloggers they read? I hope not, otherwise the plethora of bloggers would overwhelm the press tent and take all the good food!

I think that the attraction of bloggers to the public is providing a viewpoint that others might not have thought of or pointing out things the standard press is not highlighting. I don’t read blogs to find out what club Tiger used on 7 for his approach or his quote about the shot. I read them to see what someone else’s opinion of the event might be. Yes, blogs do steal stuff. And I quit reading them if they do, because re-spewing someone else’s material is not very interesting. I think that, in general, the internet public agrees. Don’t worry, Sal – the bad bloggers will fade away and the good ones will continue.

And if any company is looking to buy out blogs, let me get to the front of the line!

Kurt Ehlert
“Spending More Time in the Sand Than David Hasselhoff”

by kehlert on Jan 4, 2009 10:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great point

Internet readers are savvy. If they come looking for golf news and blogs, they’ll sort out the junk really quickly.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 12:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It always annoys me when media people blast blogs because of lack of oversight and the other things that are typically pointed out. And sure, that’s true to some extent. But I’d also throw Jayson Blair and the Reuters Photoshopping scandals back in their faces.

I’ve heard members of the print media say (on local radio, with my own ears), that while a few bloggers are quality most bloggers’ voices don’t even deserve to be heard. Pardon me?

As Armchair said, bloggers are not journalists and journalists are not bloggers. However, the journalists are getting scared because people are getting sick of getting slanted news and sensationalism and sugar-coated nonsense. So they turn to blogs for a different perspective.

The key is honesty. To me, not lifting content, not stealing photos, etc. are common sense, not some divine instinct bestowed upon actual journalists. My blog is different in that I don’t really cover the pro game, but I do give tips and things. And I make it a point to never give off the impression that I’m a professional. I’m simply an amateur trying to become a pro and sharing all the knowledge I come across on my trek. Some pros might say I don’t have the right to give out tips because I’m not a pro. But are they protecting the golfing public, or are they upset that I gave out a tip for free that they charge $100 for?

It’s the same thing between the journalists and bloggers that cover the game. Bloggers may not be reporters (though some are), but they can analyze the current events of golf and add their own editorial opinion as well as anyone else can. They may not be in the trenches asking questions to players, but they certainly have the ability and right to comment on the Steve Williams/Phil Mickelson situation or to reflect on what Tiger’s effect on the game is.

In many cases, it’s simple jealousy. Bloggers can be up and running in a few minutes and have a solid readership in a matter of months – something journalists take years to do when you consider the formal education and working at tiny newspapers before finally getting to the big leagues.

At the same time, one of the fundamental principles of capitalism applies – the cream rises to the top. There are tens of millions of blogs out there. A vast majority are bad and will die out. The ones who lie, cheat, and steal will be exposed and discredited. Of the rest, a few will build a name and will build trust with a loyal readership and will succeed. When that happens, those blogs will grow into something with actual media clout. The traditional media is scared of that.

by Double Eagle on Jan 4, 2009 3:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't know that it's jealousy

Maybe it is for some – the Buzz Bissingers of the world. I think that journalists and the industry are still figuring out what exactly bloggers add to the mix, how to harness them, etc. Since they don’t really fully know how to treat bloggers, it’s an awkward relationship for everyone.

As I’ve said, I appreciate the more voices that there are. It’s why I love the FanShot/Post idea. I think many pro journalists (trained in schools, etc) face a conflict when considering bloggers. There are some bloggers that are excellent, establish sizable audiences, and can really become relevant to their topic/beat. Look at Greg Wyshynski in hockey. He’s among the 100 most influential in the sport according to a hockey magazine. Craziness! (He’s a helluva writer.)

Some don’t do so well. And they’ll fade away because of market forces, just like you said.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 12:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

on site...but not on site...

I’ve had the pleasure of covering the Tour Championship the last 3 years and the last of the Bellsouth/AT&T Classics (RIP) here in Atlanta. What amazes me is how few of the professional journalists actually go outside the media tent except to go to the food area or the bathroom. They go to the interview room when the leader or a big name comes through – but that may take an hour of the day. For the most part, they sit in the media tent, paying glancing attention to the TV’s on the walls…which is pretty much what the rest of us do from home. (which is probably a decent reason a lot of newspapers are cutting their sports staffs) Why pay someone to fly to a tournament, rent a car and a room, pay for meals, etc, when they can watch from home and get transcripts of media tent interviews ?

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 4, 2009 4:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That's true

for a decent number of journalists. It is the ones that venture out of the press tent, get into the trenches, and love their work that produce some great work. And there are those out there. :)

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 12:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

on site ... but not on site

Courtgolf … I’ve noticed the same things at tournaments. Many don’t leave the media center. Some don’t even walk over to the interview room when a player comes in. So, it’s not far fetched to say that beat writers can cover/are covering the tour by watching cable and network telecasts on the large screens in the tent and reading ASAP transcripts (they hand them out to you in the media tent), just as any savvy blogger can do.

by Armchair Golfer on Jan 5, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Great topic

I didn’t know that this would bring up such a reaction, but I’m glad it did. Keep it up!

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 12:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

opinions

While some bloggers may bill themselves as reporters, most (in my experience) are opinion writers. It’s the difference between reading the front page of a newspaper and reading Paul Krugman or George Will on the Opinion page. The best columnists and bloggers have a point of view through which they interpret the news. They don’t need to have been on the scene to give their interpretation.

Blogs give everyone a chance to voice an opinion about anything. That’s democracy in action.

Truth has a well-known liberal bias.

by dianemarie on Jan 5, 2009 6:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Golf writers never voice an opinion.

That takes place in the same universe where Sal Johnson sees media organizations buying golf blogs.

When I report on a tournament, I report. Oh yes I made some predictions, particularly in my coverage of the ADT but I that wasn’t the main focus on the blog articles I wrote. I’d write about the players I watched(Got real lucky and was out with 1st round leader Christina Kim for 14 holes), who was on the way to making the cut, missing the cut, whose years ended in disappointment etc.

At the 2008 Stanford, the golf press was giving the tournament a tough time because of how the courses were set up for the pro-am. Yes the course was difficult, and one Par 3 probably too long, but I was willing to give the organizers a break. In a post titled ‘As time goes by’ I wrote-

“Either he’s dead or my watch has stopped.”

Having passed to his eternal reward in 1977, Groucho Marx was not paired with any of the pros at the Stanford International Pro-Am. So it only seemed like eternity out there on the course today. With many of the celebrity amateurs doing their own impersonations of Marx’s “Dr. Hackenbush”, play went from slow to downright glacial here in South Florida. Suffice to say, its been no day at the races in Aventura with the pile ups on the course more reminiscent of a Mack Sennett film than a Marx Brothers comedy.

*

The amateurs are not the only ones struggling with an unfamiliar course. This is the first time since the 1980’s that the LPGA has played here in Aventura only adding to the slow pace of play. Everyone here has taken note of the pace and LPGA players, amateurs, and tournament organizers are all working hard to play faster and put on a great event. Saturday promises a more orderly event.

I went out on the Miller course for a bit this morning. The difficult par three second was already causing backups at the tee box. When I arrived on the scene, six professional players plus their amateur partners were waiting for the green to clear. Players and spectators alike were serenaded by a steady chorus of jackhammers pounding away at a nearby construction site.

I was easier on the tournament than the people from the Palm Beach Post, Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald and AP were. Besides how many golf writers can mention the Marx brothers, Mack Sennett, and a jackhammer in a coherent article about the LPGA?

I can separate my blogging and reporting caps when necessary or do a hybrid too. Just like the rest of the media.

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 7:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Writers do voice opinions

Take Doug Ferguson, for example. He pens game stories for the AP, but also has a weekly news and notes column. In both, he slips in some opinion. That’s golf writing, though. There are very few times that a topic of significance is covered with just the facts. But, reporters spend the great majority of their words on fact. Bloggers tend to do the opposite – using some facts or some other work as a basis for their analysis and opinion. Different style, although that’s not always a black and white distinction.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 9:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Golf writers never voice an opinion

That takes place in the same universe where Sal Johnson sees

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 7:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

oh please...

…EVERY writer expresses opinions. By choosing to write about the pace of play, you expressed an opinion. By choosing that particular par three, you expressed and opinion. Byt choosing that Groucho quote – you expressed an opinion. Just because something is based in fact doesn’t mean it isn’t your opinion. Most people choose facts that support their opinion.

By attacking Sal Johnson the way you did – you were expressing an opinion. It wasn’t just a disagreement – that was an all out assault.

The thing is – without opinion or “personal color” as I’ve heard it called before – you might as well just pick up the box scores and assume you know everything that happened.

The PROBLEM is when guys like Ferguson who twist and bend the facts to fit his opinions instead of the other way around.

This piece by Neil Mcleman in The Mirror is a perfect example. He reads so much into quotes from Sergio Garcia that you would think that he and Padraig Harrington would rather duel with pistols at dawn than shake hands – UNTIL – you just read the quotes and remember that Harrington is an Irish family man in his mid 30’s, and Garcia is a single jet setting Spaniard who enjoys the women who throw themselves at him. You wonder how this Mcleman guy has a job – and then you remember that the gossip mongering public lives for stuff like this – truth is secondary at best.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2008/12/30/sergio-what-a-shower-115875-21004298/

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 10:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Who's funnier

Groucho or Juli Inkster? The rest of the press went to the Hall of Famer for her opinion on the slow play

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 10:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

:-)

GOOD point. Then again, who’s funnier ? A dentist pulling your teeth or Juli Inkster ?

But you’re proving my point – you chose Groucho instead of following the rest of the media lemmings and put your own color on your article and it came out much better.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 10:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Inkster's an easy quote

I like talking to her and reading what she has to say. That said, no reporter, blogger, or whatever should ever rely too much on one source – including themselves. :)

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 10:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

she's ok...

…and definitely has a ton of experience to draw on – but she’s as dry as dirt and pretty predictable…which is why she’ll be offered a job doing broadcasts as soon as she’s done playing.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 10:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You know what you're going to get

And that tends to be a contrarian view of things. Hard for a journo to find that consistently, so they stick with what they know. Remember, golfers are programmed to be boring and “on message.” :)

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 10:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Boring and on message

Christina Kim must have missed that LPGA orientation class when she was a rookie.

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha

Completely agree. Christina Kim still holds the record for the most appearances on The 19th Hole for that very reason.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 10:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone notice

Ryan, CG, and myself are all commenting at the exact same time. Do any of us have a life?

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No, we don't (J/k)

Well, at least, I don’t have any real work to do right now.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 10:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How much longer I'll be around

is unknown. My cancer is flaring up again. I got a doctor’s appointment this afternoon with the oncologist. I spent at least part of 67 days in the hospital since Sept 15, 2007

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope

That the news is not bad for you, Bill. Please let me know how things go.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 10:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry to hear that Bill

Hope you get some good news today.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 10:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m sending all the positive vibes I can muster in your direction, Bill.

Truth has a well-known liberal bias.

by dianemarie on Jan 5, 2009 11:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Best wishes

to you Bill with your treatment and battle.

by Armchair Golfer on Jan 5, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

gotta love it..

…this is a great place to be on a slow work day

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Christina

I had the pleasure of being in the press area with her at both the ADT and the Stanford. She certainly likes to use the word ‘sucks’.

After a horrific round 4 at the 2007 ADT she kept blaming a faulty memory for not knowing how her round went from -1 to +9.

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 11:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

contrarian ?

Inkster ? Come on. And if your reputation is that of a contraian, pretty soon people realize that all you are doing is taking what other people are saying and saying the opposite – regardless of accuracy.

I don’t mind the idea of Inkster on the air – but please – not on the PGA Tour broadcasts. There are already three women doing on course reporting and they are all terrible. Dottie Pepper thinks she is doing standup comedy, but only she is laughing. The other two can’t see 100 yards down the fairway and can’t read putts and don’t have any idea how far the men hit the ball.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 10:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

She is

And that’s a good thing. I wouldn’t say that she is to a fault. I do find it interesting that golfers that express their opinions get slammed more than those that say nothing.

As for the female broadcasters, I like Dottie sometimes. She’s pretty good on course. I kind of tune out the others.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

wrong word...

…I don’t see Inkster as a “contrarian”. She may call things like she sees them (not the same way as Johnny Miller – who calls things as he sees them through his Johnny Miller colored glasses) – and if she disagrees with something, she isn’t afraid to state her opinion or idea.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would

we’ll just agree to disagree on that one.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 11:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh no we won't !!

(yes we will) NO WE WON’T (YES WE WILL !!)………… :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Replied in kind

Sal did an assault on golf bloggers, that while had some points, was also an attack based out of fantasy land more often than not. I took aim back.

Since most of them aren’t owned by a company or have advertisers to answer to a good many of them are free to be very critical and sometimes have a fair amount of unfair reporting.

Since these blogs are written in their homes instead of being at an event most of these blogs are based on what others have written, transcripts that are easily accessible on the web and frankly are unfair because they are reporting news that they aren’t on the scene to report.

First he attacks bloggers for unfair reporting then says we aren’t reporters because we’re not on site.

It still makes chuckle today.

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To a certain extent

Sal is right. Bloggers (we don’t fit the category) that just lift content with no credits, etc, and feel like they’re reporters are not. I think Sal comes from the pro school that says that the original writer should be given credit for their work. I agree. I also think that I could write a game story just like the pro guys by watching the Tour on TV and reading ASAP Sports transcripts after the round. I should know, I’ve done it before. :)

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 10:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

see...

We’re all capable of separating reporting from opinion. We do it all the time. Maybe equating golf and general news reporting was not a valid comparison. Generally statewide or national news will have several distinct, fact-based (hopefully) reports on what happened. Separately, editorialists and opinion writers have the option to spin. Golf reporting isn’t so profitable that news agencies will hire reporters and opinion writers separately. So, those who report also have the opportunity to comment, frequently in the same piece. Following the US Open I was waiting for the headline: PRO GOLFER FORCES CRIPPLE TO PLAY 19 EXTRA HOLES.

Truth has a well-known liberal bias.

by dianemarie on Jan 5, 2009 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

That would’ve been a great story for “The Onion” :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 10:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sports headlines

In 1998- MSNBC online writes a headline ‘American defeats Kwan’. Which upset the Asian American community. One of t he newspapers that reported on this- The Seattle Times

Turn the clock to 2002- The Seattle Times after Sarah Hughes wins the gold medal in Salt Lake City has the sub headline ‘American outshines Kwan’.

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 10:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Great post and great comments

I’ve written about why I blog the LPGA, and trying to be a journalist didn’t make the cut of my reasons. By filing tournament recaps I suppose I am keeping a “journal” of the LPGA season but that’s about as far as I go. Opinions? Yes, I have a few which spill out but HDLPGA is far from what you’d call an opinion-based blog. Most of my non-recap stuff is stats and player ratings based which I’m sure doesn’t fit everybody’s taste. But that’s my thing, and I’m sticking with it.

The “war” between bloggers and journalists has been on for a while now but I for one am happy being Switzerland. There is plenty enough room for all parties to keep “doing their own thing” to worry too much about the boundaries between them.

by hound dog on Jan 5, 2009 10:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Totally agree

HD, you’re a rare breed (har har) among bloggers. Very few do stats and ratings like you and The Constructivist do. PGATour.com is starting to do it, but they have ShotLink.

There’s room for everyone to come to the table and do what they do best. The market for readers will determine if it’s good enough for consumption. And the golf industry will probably eventually have to decide with which bloggers they want to form relationships. The ones that get left out of the discussion may not much care because they do it for personal reasons, love of the game, etc – reasons that have nothing to do with aspiring to be a beat writer.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DH and Con work harder..

…than most PGA Tour reporters for the very reason you pointed out. Without things like ShotLink, the LPGA stats are much harder to come by.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 10:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

They deserve a lot of props for taking the time to parse that data.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 10:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I've said it repeatedly

That HD and TC are two best golf bloggers out there.

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 10:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They both offer

Something unique in blogging. And that’s what makes them great. That’s what I look for when I decide to read a new blog.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If the LPGA was smart

They would hire TC, HD, and me to write for them. The first two for their great coverage, and with to get me to shut my mouth.

You know the saying. Better to have them in the tent pissing out rather than them outside the tent pissing in.

TC and HD may make it. Even if I’m alive the LPGA will probably hire me only the day after Birdie Kim wins the Grand Slam.(Or even wins again)

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 11:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

oh great...

…now all three of you will be in jail for indecent exposure !! :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think

they may head in that direction someday. It’s only a hunch, though.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 11:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ummm...

…you mean the LPGA hiring writers…right ? Not the HD and Con and Bill being arrested for indecent exposure part…. :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha

I’ll leave that for you to decide.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Robert Cox of the Media Bloggers association

Met with Connie Wilson of the LPGA last May to work out a blogger policy for the tour. Last thing I heard from Bob is that it was the LPGA had to make the move now.

I remember Bivens taking aim at bloggers after the State Farm/Michelle Wie saying we didn’t get the facts right. Honestly I don’t know what facts were in question, and I don’t remember any notable golf blogger who thought what the LPGA did was wrong.(Except for maybe letting Wie play the whole round)

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think

on that one that the issue was that the LPGA Tour doesn’t have scoring reps in the tents like the PGA Tour does to prevent that kind of thing from happening in the first place. The PGA Tour makes scoring idiot proof. In the end, though, it really is up to the player to make sure they do things right.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and...

…what was consistantly left out or incorrectly described was the time line of the situation. That was an odd weekend with backed up rounds ending very late.

I agree whole heartedly that the LPGA isn’t as detail oriented on some things as the PGA Tour.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Borrowing what someone else writes

I write on political blogs/current affairs blogs, not just golf, there isn’t a person out there who doesn’t lift. If I’m making comment on some news lets say out of the Washington Post- I link back to the article, use what I need from the article and then comment.

Sometimes I post a whole article, they fit usually one of two reasons

1 They are an obituary of someone in sports who passed away. Tommy bolt, orville moody etc.

2 It is something exceptionally well written that should be read in its entirety. Like the WAPO article on Mary Karen Read’s funeral. Mary Karen was one of VA Tech victims.

I don’t even comment on every golf tournament played. There has to be something about it that makes me want to express my own opinion.

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 10:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

There's a difference between

lifting with credit (which you do) and just cutting and pasting text from somewhere without a link or proper credit (which some do).

I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with the former. Like you said, that’s kind of at the heart of blogging.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 11:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Another thing I try to be generous with

Links to other golf bloggers. If I learn of a story from Source B. I always will hat tip Source B and link back to them. Sometimes I’ll post some of their thoughts too.

Another thing I do is I talk about golfer XYZ wins the LPGA Winnemuca Classic and HD and TC(or another golf blogger I frequent) have already posted on it too. I will say also blogging on XYZ’s win are – The Constructivist and Hound Dog. And I provide links to them.

A link back to me is appreciated but not necessary. Unless that is you borrow something I write. I had a showdown with a conservative blogger 18 months ago after he didn’t give proper credit to a blogger.(Not me but someone else I knew, put into contact with this~~idiot~~ blogger and was furnished the same exclusive info also.

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 11:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Also agree

I try to do the same when I find a good story out there. I won’t do it for every story, particularly if it’s from my usual suspects. If it’s from a new blog or one that I don’t talk about much, then I definitely hat tip.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The LPGA thinks I am nuts

Last April I said I could

1- Cover the Stanford

2- Do a John McCain blogger conference call. Wizbang Politics where I’m a contributor, got invites to those things.

Everyone knows what I chose. Walk nine holes with Kerr, C Kim, James Caan and I forget who was playing with Kerr but I got to meet Cristie’s Mom, husband and father.

by Bill Jempty on Jan 5, 2009 11:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

come on Bill...

…it’s not just the LPGA that thinks you’re nuts. (bwwaaaaahahahaahaahaa) :-D

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 5, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's All About Conversation

Granted, most of the bloggers on my blog roll write about the tour, equipment, technique, fitness, etc. And that’s fine. If they choose to ‘lift’ content for their reuse without crediting the author and get ratted out, I stop reading. It’s like turning the water on and off and RSS makes that possible.

I didn’t feel qualified to tackle those particular topics so I chose to ‘converse’ about everyday golf. And, from my stats and feedback from readers, there are a lot of golfers out there that are into that conversation. As long as I’m credible, I’m good. Loose that and I’m a goner.

Keep it in the short grass

by Acemakr on Jan 5, 2009 2:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

100% right

I think we’re in agreement that the market fishes out those bloggers that aren’t original, rip off of others, etc.

Everyday golf is a great convo starter, so I’m not surprised that people would want to discuss it on your blog. We have to share those hole in one stories! And that’s the perfect example of a blog topic that doesn’t really need any kind of scrutiny.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 5, 2009 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting stuff...

Wow…good conversation! I didn’t read Sal Johnson’s whole article – just the parts quoted…but I’ve got to think that any person who’s interested enough in golf and is looking for info on the web probably knows that a blog is not the same as “news” – although I do have to agree with those that have said both journalists and bloggers have blurred the lines of each of those definitions – some journalists really do filter in opinions in their “news” stories, and I really think there are some excellent bloggers out there who actually “report” experiences and information that could be considered “news”.

I appreciate blogs who link to articles and other blogs with golf related info so I don’t have to do all the work to find good stories and insights….and I would think those writers and journalists would appreciate any exposure they can get…unless the blogger is bashing what they wrote.

I think blogging is a fantastic way for fans of anything to share that interest…

by red tees on Jan 6, 2009 9:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs