Butch Harmon hits out at “arrogant” PGA Tour....SO COSTLY FOR PLAYERS

[@whateverittakes5580]

I hate TV. I hate commercials. I hate them more than I enjoy televised golf. I will wait for the YT highlights.....that is good enough. Quick, concise, no commercials. No Brandell.

[@Pud56]

LIV is ad free on YT, and its over in 3 hours. I love it

[@raybowles8587]

Butch is right on.

[@pbonds9761]

I agree with Butch, but would add, there are no personalities on the tour. Nothing but a bunch of robots. You can’t even smile when you make a birdie???? I tried watching LIV, it’s hard to find, hate the music blaring, seemed more like a silly season thing to me.

[@Pud56]

LIV is brilliant, and ad free on KZbin. Watching the PGA coverage, there are 32 minutes of ads every hour, unwatchable

[@bigjerm9657]

I agree with most of what Butch said. I think it's time for Jay to go, PGA needs a change. TGL will not compete with real golf. It's like going to top golf instead of the playing 18, it's still golf, but it's not the same.

[@patmalone5858]

Greed is the main reason golf is eating itself

[@gaffrow]

PGA acted like a bitter ex girlfriend

[@GoldenSlumber474]

Butch Harmon captures my sentiments exactly. The hubris shown by the PGA in addressing LIV’s entry into the space has deteriorated the whole sport.

[@vanbalzup6481]

not seeing many TGL haters. LIV hate is nothing but political anti-saudi propaganda.

[@Oahugolfguy]

More like anti a real competitor to the pga tour propaganda.

[@Hunter-zp5hd]

I’m not sure if I would call myself a TGL hater, but I’m not that interested in indoor golf on a computer screen. But if you like that, please enjoy. That’s what freedom is all about. To each his own, but no hate here.

[@djrondo1224]

The best golf to watch outside the four majors is easily the DP tour. Great players and the commentators are outstanding. Much like what the PGA tour used to be like. Jay Monaghan should have been fired two years ago. He clearly fumbled and the pga tour and golf channel are clinging to Tiger and an about 6-8 other golden boys, Thomas, Spieth, Fowler, were the main ones but all have fallen out of top players so the tour/GC are scrambling to find something to capture the audience. IE.. Smylie/kisner

[@jamesmarsh4613]

LIV took the weaknesses of the PGA corrected them and created a tour.

[@seanmawson6286]

😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@MarkArnold92660]

LMAO!

[@Oahugolfguy]

And the only reason more people don’t watch Liv is the dirty tactics from the Tour such as taking advantage of Sept 11

[@MarkArnold92660]

@ You need a Tin hat…

[@JodyTrynabreak80butitstough]

Ahhhhh you only play PS1 Tiger Woods golf . You don’t golf if you really believe your words.

[@Keith3putt]

Totally agree with Alex and Butch! I watch most of my golf on KZbin via highlights for both PGA and LIV! In fact, I would rather watch Grant Horvat than most professional golf on regular TV. Fix this crap and get the best players in the world playing together!

[@Hunter-zp5hd]

I enjoy KZbin golf. I watch a lot of the channels. The only problem I see is the increase in sponsored stuff. If you are getting sponsored, you have to toe the line with the product. That could stifle creativity and personality. Grant is a perfect example. Very politically correct channel. It’s a little stodgy. Some other channels are more fun. I like to see regular folks playing and being themselves. I don’t want to watch a hacker, but I also don’t want to watch folks that are pros. I love the 2v2 match play format with some regular people. It’s fun. I

[@jacklbrt]

I agree with Butch about the PGA Tour's arrogance. And TV coverage, especially NBC/ Golf Channel, who has mostly a bunch of morons doing the announcing and analysis, is pretty bad. But I watch the Tour events because I want to see good golf, not necessarily any big names. I like to see Scheffler and Thomas and McIlroy, etc. But I'm mostly interested in watching the best players on Tour compete, regardless of who they are

[@jamesgerboc]

I have always said that it wasn't necessarily that Tiger won...alot...it was HOW he won that drew TV viewers. He was sensational. The tour now has the same issue as the LPGA...players have no personality. Yes, they are good, but they are all the same. People watch Rickie, or Bubba, or Daly even if they arent playing well. They are characters. Scottys boring. He is a great player and avid fans love him. But he has no personality, and the average TV viewer needs different stimuli. It's not the game, it's the players.

[@Hunter-zp5hd]

I agree 100%. I want to see real people; not robots trying to retain their corporate sponsorships.

[@cleveland2022]

100% agree with Butch Harmon. Ratings are down because NBCs/Golf Channel's coverage is horrendous. Instead of showing golf shots and actual golf they have clown Smylie Kaufman talking to other players. I want to watch golf not some scrub yakking who isnt funny.

[@MarkArnold92660]

Oh and Greg Norman and LIV aren’t arrogant? That’s a clown comment.

[@kennethmckinney2532]

​@MarkArnold92660 have you actually watched and entire round of LIV on the LIV plus app? I doubt it or you wouldn't make such an ignorant comment. It's 100% golf shots for 4.5 hours. Even after 40 years watching the PGA Tour I just can't watch the crap broadcasts anymore...

[@MarkArnold92660]

@ I tried watching it and it reminded me of a video game. 1/3 of the screen was taken by nonsensical graphics tracking the stupid team scores among other things. I hated it.

[@kennethmckinney2532]

@MarkArnold92660 gotcha. I agree. I hate to know exactly what's going on all over the golf course at all times also. I would prefer to only see about 5 guys hit a shot or two, then commercials, yacking, over production and just them on the leaderboard. Appreciate your response 👍

[@scottmcdonald9924]

​@@kennethmckinney2532lol liv haters gonna hate

[@coobay4786]

I watched both of the TGL events. Both times turned it off halfway through. Boaring

[@clarencewildes1747]

I’ve turned off a golf tournament because I did t recognize any of the top players, which are the only players shown.

[@jimconner1028]

Back in the day you had to win to make a lot of money. Now a tour card is pretty much a guaranteed 300K to a million a year.Add in sponsorship and sponsored events and you can get wealthy pretty quick. These guys don't have to win to earn a very good living. The top players are probably making 10-25 million a year. Hard to stay hungry and motivated when you get paid to just show up.

[@johnpaulruiz4915]

I agree with Butch regarding viewers are split. We don’t see our favorite playing together anymore. Too many new guys we don’t know. It is because of that split why I feel KZbin Golf content is far more easier to appreciate because unlike before where we develop a following for certain player we can now follow somebody easier, more consistently and frankly more relevant and appealing. For example it’s easier to root and cheer for Bryan Bros, Grant, GM and BustaJack content creators to name a few. We get to know them on a personal level. Which transform to a better connection with viewers.

[@chrisbrimhall1613]

Watched TGL last night for 20 minutes….then turned it off…it’s silly golf….feels like a bunch of rich pga frat boys playing another frat house at a kegger party…..ridiculous

[@CanadianBiPolarBear]

Im surprised professional golf still exists

[@09Youba]

Alex why don't you start a YT tour. I think it would be fun to watch like the Bryan Bros golf.

[@benwood919]

It was a way of life watching Tiger he was so good. Golf is boring without him and the big names playing together

[@bobbys4327]

TV ratings are down because the PGA Tour is boring. If the PGA Tour wants to see how golf should be televised then look at the current KZbin golf channels that are big. They have interesting videos and are fun to watch.

[@redstone5149]

I was disappointed with the TGL events. The novelty wore off quickly. I didn’t expect it to be as boring as it was.

[@shawnlewis9656]

I agree with Butch Harmon entirely. The PGA reminds me of growing up where, if the kid who owned the soccer ball didn't like you, then you weren't allowed to play. I can't help but look, at the 'powers that be' within the PGA, as the kid who owned the soccer ball, and nobody else is allowed to play! Personally, I just want to see the top players playing against each other, as I'm sure everyone else does too.

[@wesleyhilde1]

Ever since TW got hurt and stopped playin so much, da tour has been done..

[@giii7599]

The Tour was done the minute he tee'd it up on tour years ago. He brought a terrible element to the game. All Woods fans except for kids are pure garbage.

[@slackJocks]

Butch is spot on 🤷‍♂️ I switch the golf on (especially early season) and I don’t know 80% of the people on the leaderboard 🤦‍♂️ we tune in to see the best players and sadly now they are scattered

[@Oahugolfguy]

Butch is correct but it did not help 3-4 years ago when people like Butch were drinking the Monaghan koolaid. But at this point anyone on the koolaid should listen to butch. Because these are facts. We should also read between the lines what butch seems to be calling for. Tgl is fun. It helps ratings wise that it’s on Tuesday at prime time on espn. We shall see how much staying power it has. But regardless it’s a fun made for tv competition. It’s does not replace competitive golf. G For goodness sakes I hope we get to the pint we should be in which is: all the elite 54 players from around the globe on liv, which replaces the WGCs, all the top players at the top pga tour events played in full fields with cuts, of course the majors having everyone; which let’s be honest, even the majors DO NOT have ALL the players whom should be. And it will only get worse. The majors are doing some measures tinkerers their integrity, but not enough. The owgr is an absolute disaster that I’m not sure can ever be fixed. It should be replaced.

[@deohin5447]

Jay Monahan was, before LIV, slow to change. After LIV, quick to panic.

[@markwatson5984]

I now hate golf on TV, poor form PGA, I couldn’t care less about LIV, they ALL play four money on both tours, money they don’t actually need…. I mean nothing in the big picture, but I only play golf now, I don’t watch it. Sad PGA, you lose long term

[@Socks-q9b]

Totally agree with the words of Butch! As it stands and because of the aforementioned arrogance, I prefer to watch LIV golf.

[@mitchy7051]

love butch but the guy is speaking out of context. if you were the PGA in 2019, you had Tiger Woods who won the Masters and Zozo, would you be feeling any pressure to make drastic changes and field calls - no one could of imagined the Saudis willingness to 4x their offers to poach players that were hurt and not playing well (Brooks, Bryson, Reed) - Tiger's accident, COVID, the PIF went up, QE, stocks sky rocketing one of many contributions to the current fiasco that is pro golf. The main draw of the PGA and Tour has always been rooted in being snooty and arrogant, how else can Butch charge $500 a lesson? you really think David Simms from Tin Cup is just a fictional character?

[@kennymay9036]

l still watch golf on TV,but,with sound off.l see just fine,thanks.

[@15cuhonda6]

Nothing matters except majors and national opens.

[@johnaleck8672]

Like you said, it’s a fiasco. Really pissed me off when the LIV lured them away, but the PGA is to blame for their crap allocation of prize money. Commissioner and the officials make a ton more money and they don’t have to compete. He needs to go and compensation for the needs adjustment, downward. You did fail to mention that Scotty, Justin, Rory, Xander, Auberg, Fleetwood, Finau, Mitsyama, Kim, Morikowa 5:54 are still big draws. Pity, DeChambeau, Rahm, and others aren’t in the mix every week. I’ve watched one LIV event. Not impressed. More like a Frat party gone wild. I barely watch PGA tournaments until the final round.

[@bobbys4327]

Phil tried to get with the tour and make things work. The tour "monogram" didn't want to share the wealth. He wanted ALL the $$$$ other than prize money to go to "his" tour.

[@ajstclair]

spot on.

[@bestfootfoward8024]

2:15 that's me!

[@gbthecamper458]

And……if you add the increased cost of sponsorships of tournament. It will not be sustainable if they do not attract the best players in the game to justify the corporate cost benefit. Just saying!

[@keithdrake1159]

Butch is so true. Monahan and the PGA tour are terrible. Monahan should have been fired two years ago.

[@michealpruitt8599]

Exactly! Sony open was boring just for this reason, liv has a shotgun start, and all players are playing at once, much better.

[@kennethmckinney2532]

Yep. Golf golf golf ⛳️

[@Oahugolfguy]

Sony was actually quite entertaining this year. Sunday was drama filled. Awesome golf tournament.

[@kennethmckinney2532]

@Oahugolfguy to each their own. I bet not many watched. People naturally want to see the big boys compete or at least golfers that have distinct personality

[@Oahugolfguy]

@@kennethmckinney2532 I agree but golf fans should be aware when a tournament is getting good. I get entrenched watching any level of golf if a good battle is on.

[@sportsjunkie2900]

Liv sucks and the rating proves nobody like it

[@keenanmann3621]

TGL and PGA are affiliated. LIV players are ineligible to play TGL events.

[@Hunter-zp5hd]

Maybe this is not right in the topic, but I can’t see a time where I would enjoy watching indoor golf. I’m not hating on the players or whatever. Golf can try whatever it likes. But indoor golf is not something for me. For me, here’s a few things golf could do to make it more compelling to watch week to week: Stop the incessant commercials. Good Lord, they beat you down with those things. Reduce the amount of commentary. I don’t need to be explained every stinking rule like I’m a child, and there’s way too many in-course talkers talking me to death. Can I just watch the golf? Make the courses harder. Skinny fairways, small greens, deep wet rough, change green speeds week to week. Make some slow and then next week make them fast. Stop making the courses so darn perfect. I want to see these players struggle. These tournaments where they are -30 or more is stupid. If the weather is hot, allow shorts. If you want golf to grow, stop with the Rolex, financial services, pharmaceutical commercials. Regular people don’t identify with that. Stop acting as if everyone has to be a millionaire to play golf. In the US, we also need a program to retain golf courses. In the past 20 years, municipal golf is disappearing. Golf courses are selling the property for houses. It’s a damn shame. If it keeps going like this, the only place to play will be a country club.

[@ianbarr5110]

I like to watch golf but a large percentage of coverage is putting? Yes it's golf but soboring to watch. Monahan should have been booted out years ago.

[@kmrk4055]

The commentary is interminably dull and anodyne. They say the same things over and over. They offer very little insight. The players' play too slowly. There are too many commercial breaks and they go on for too long. And as Butch says, because the big names don't play that often and especially not against each other, they all have a schedule that is based around majors. I've pretty much stopped watching the PGA tour. I watch the European Tour more.

[@robsharland2037]

Butch is 💯right

[@davidree2858]

i think the majority of golf fans would rather watch Tiger play badly, than the likes of will zalatoris play well.

[@jesseross3794]

Too many egos

[@vincentdobbins4189]

I see the TGL eventually moving towards guys hanging out drinking and betting on teams and players.

[@petera2133]

Is LIV still a tour?

[@coobay4786]

Ignorance is bliss. Enjoy your bliss.

[@richardvetter2088]

If so many people think the PGA Tour screwed up when dealing with LIV, what kind of outcome would be fair? In Butch's comments, he doesn't offer any solutions - just complaints. I have never liked LIV, and did not want the PGA to "cave" to LIV. The players who defected to LIV made their decision to defect for the money, knowing they would not be welcomed back to the PGA. Those players did not go to LIV "to promote golf around the world". PLEASE, give me a break. Follow the money! Now, some of those players want to come back to the PGA (boo, hoo), because they're dropping down in the world rankings, and most can't play in the majors. They've become insignificant professional golfers. If those who left the PGA Tour want to come back to the PGA, make them pay to the PGA a portion of the money they were paid to join LIV. After all, it's all about the money, right?