Golf Channel's Resident Raconteur: Not Shy Nor Unprepared

by Charles Boyer on Jan 19, 2012 1:32 PM EST

Love him or hate him, Brandel Chamblee calls 'em like he sees 'em. Thing is, the Golf Channel commentator isn't making it up as he goes along -- generally, when he makes an argument, he has facts that can recite from the top of his head to support his viewpoint.

If you disagree with Brandel, you'd probably be wise to have your argument backed up by a reservoir of statistics as deep as his, something Nick Faldo found out recently when he and Chamblee discussed Luke Donald's chances of winning a major tournament in 2012. Faldo was non-specific and used intangibles to illustrate why he thought Donald would win, which Chamblee then disassembled with precision, citing real-world statistics coupled with an analysis of why his numbers mattered in his counter-argument that Donald probably won't win one of the big four tourneys this year. Given the two arguments, it was Chamblee's that was more precise, more spot-on to the point and more lucidly explained. Point, Brandel Chamblee, and compelling coverage, Golf Channel.

That sort of fearless analysis has led some people to view Brandel Chamblee as controversial, caustic even, but the truth is, he's paid to give his opinion and in that he does a good job. Simply because sometimes his opinions aren't popular hasn't deterred him from expressing them one bit, either. He knows that he's not going to please everyone and that if he's doing a proper job, he shouldn't.

The New York Times recently posted a great feature on Brandel Chamblee, one well worth the time to read.

Some analysts may have said that [Luke] Donald will struggle in the majors [in 2012] because of his driving. Then there’s Chamblee, a bloodhound who follows a trail of whys: Why does one golfer collapse down the stretch while another grows calmer? Why do good putters make bad putts? Why did Tiger Woods change his swing after winning four majors in a row?

Such questions keep Chamblee up at night. He will sit in front of his computer at home in Scottsdale, Ariz., in the early afternoon to begin research, then look up and it’s 2 a.m.

Tweet Comment 2 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Good one, CB

I’m a fan of Chamblee…except when he slips into “Johnny Miller Wannabe” mode – but that seems to be happening less and less frequently these days. The guy knows his stuff. I really like how he builds a case for his ideas, he doesn’t just tos out mindless insults like “choker”.

If at first you don't secede, try try again

by courtgolf on Jan 19, 2012 2:11 PM EST reply actions

That’s exactly what I like about Brandel.

As you well know from living in the Triangle, passions run high on college basketball and nowadays we have a lot of guessers and not fact-based analysts when it comes to the area’s main sport. There’s a guy like Chamblee who’s thorough and analytical and when he took apart Roy Williams for pulling his team off the court last Saturday it was a work of art because it was all done with facts like “there’s no rule to allow a coach to do that, the officials are in charge of the competition” — and cited the rule.

by Charles Boyer on Jan 19, 2012 2:19 PM EST up reply actions