The 9th version of The Match featured both PGA and LPGA pros: Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang. All talented players in their own right. But this version drew the lowest ratings of the entire series pulling in just over 500k viewers. Down 35% from the previous low.
Why is this? Was it a terrible job of promoting? Or are people getting tired of the current state of professional golf? I personally think it’s a combination of both. People are watching less golf than they were just a few years ago and I truly believe it’s the current state of the game with players and fans fighting, bantering and spewing garbage at each other. Not to mention the comment section of every single golf post is just filled with the most toxic nonsense out there. Just like everything else in today’s world, there is a divide that the internet craves so much.
One of my favorite things to watch when I was growing up and getting into golf was Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf. They were short, sweet and got right to the point. Head to head match play events that were played in a 60 minute condensed format. It was easy watching, you saw everything you needed to see or hear. The Matches that are put out today are long, drawn out and filled with commentary by NBA analysts who don’t quite resonate with golfers. If I was big into swimming, I wouldn’t want golf commentators commentating on a made for TV swimming event.
Today’s version of The Match is 12 holes, and still takes nearly 3 hours to complete. With one group on the course, there isn’t enough to keep your audience stimulated.
How do you get people to watch? Most people don’t want to sit and watch one single foursome for 3 hours. There just isn’t enough going on with one group. It’s the same idea behind MLB speeding up, and it worked for them. Let’s be real, we are all busy and don’t have the mental capacity to just sit and watch something for 3 straight hours (OK maybe some do). The Match doesn’t HAVE to be live. Film it, condense it and for goodness sakes, give the people what they want. If they truly wanted to capitalize on the current thing going on. Set up a 2 vs 2 PGA vs LIV match or heck put the top 8 in the world head to head vs each other March Madness style and play for a huge prize, or world rank at the end of the season? It doesn’t have to be exactly that, but you get the idea. Things that spark your audiences interest.
Golf is in a weird place right now professionally. Whether you want to admit it or not, professional golf is watered down and it just doesn’t seem as interesting as it was just a few years ago. On the other hand, people are playing more golf than ever. Every course is jam packed and we’re all getting gouged for it. So clearly people are consuming golf, just not on their TV. And I think something can be done about it pretty easily. Give the people what they want, and condense it. Or just let the ladies play topless. IDK
