I really like the idea of using the graphics to show “best positions” for shots. For the most part, they do a pretty good job at showing the problems/advantages they have where the ball already lies. The only drawback to the graphics is…as always…Johnny Miller and his arrogance. He would use this as another tool to tell people how great a shot HE would play and if this guy doesn’t hit the ball to the blade of grass Miller would hit it, Miller will go on yet another rant on how great he was compared to players of today.

We differ a bit on the emotion issue. Emotions are fine, but who decides what emotions are acceptable ? Tiger shows emotion with the fist pumps and attempts at high 5’s with Steve – but he also swears and slams clubs – that’s emotion – but when he, or any other player, does it, he gets reemed for the negative – followed by the cliche “he needs to control those emotions so he won’t get too high or too low”…yada yada yada. I don’t care that Henrik Stenson fits the mold of the stoic Swede – I care that he hits amazing golf shots.

One of the best things I like about the Euro Tour broadcasts is the opening of the show when they take you to points of interest in the area – then they get to the leaderboard. I’m with you – I don’t care about all these little vignets that interrupt showing shots….but that is a part of the feminization of sports. Women want the little stories and the emotional bits and pieces around the game. When I was a kid, it was all about the game and I wish we could get back to that – but it isn’t going to happen. (I can barely watch the Olympics anymore because of this stuff)

Show me the game – let me listen in on the player/caddy conversation in a tough situation or coming down the stretch. Show me the hole with the trouble and correct places to play. I like the Shot Tracer, and sort of like the putter tracker (until Kelly Tilghman starts trying to get in on the act). I like the laser measuring of shots – but I REALLY doubt the accuracy on the greens. The announcers say that a putt is 8’ out – but they make the putt and take ones step to the hole ? That’s a mighty long stride. (How in the world did Suzanne Pettersen miss a “3’ putt” at 16 the other day when all she had to do was turn her left foot and reach into the hole. If she was 3’ away, she would have taken at least a step to get to the hole. If that putt was more than 18", I’d be shocked – looked more like a foot)

I really think they could make better use of recorded shots to show more action. Instead of showing 5 minutes of Tiger lining up a putt or deciding if it’s a stock wedge to the green or a full wedge or a nuked wedge (just hit the damn shot). Use the recorders to cover shots from more than just the guys in the last group. We don’t know – we’re not there – just show more shots.

Very well said. It really wouldn’t be that difficult to jazz it all up without going silly on it. It appears sometimes the telecasters lack imagine when covering golf.

Tiger. I can live with reduced TW coverage as long as they still at least get him walking onto the first tee, being introduced and hitting his drive. And every single shot of his until he putts out on eighteen. It is also imperative we are able to view him walking to his ball between shots. Naturally, his preshot routine cannot be cut out, especially with his 360 degree evaluation of the putting surface before he actually addresses his putt.

I do think it is excessive to show him just standing whispering to Stevie while his fellow-competitor, Alex Cejka is lining up his putt for a final round 79.