The hard-core golf-watching crowd isn’t one that lives on the edge of technology. It’s a demographic that, quite honestly, hasn’t fully embraced the digital world, siding instead with Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo’s philosophy that social media is not “helpful to any human being on this planet.”
FOX Sports thinks they can change some minds and bring in some much-needed younger viewers to the sport.
With more high-tech gadgets and immersive graphics than you can shake a 7-iron at, FOX is embarking into the golf broadcast arena and hopes to make a big splash in a major. FOX will be broadcasting this week’s 2015 U.S. Open from Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash. It tees off Thursday through Sunday and can be seen on FOX and FOX Sports 1 with a total of 38.5 hours of coverage.
FOX wrested away the rights to broadcast USGA events – the biggest, of course, is the U.S. Open – from NBC last year by breaking out the checkbook. FOX pledged $100 million per year for the next 12, doubling what NBC was shelling out.
Many in the golf world are skeptical about FOX, whose only foray into big-time professional golf was the Franklin Templeton Shootout last December, which is basically an exhibition event watched by few.
But FOX promises the golf viewing public, as well as the casual sports fan, they’ll do as bang-up a job as NBC or CBS or ESPN, heck, even the Golf Channel.
What FOX wants to do, in addition to providing basic coverage and keeping you abreast of the action, is immerse the viewer in the experience.
“We are going to try and do a lot of things there to make the viewer feel like they are playing the golf course right in front of them,” FOX coordinating producer Mark Loomis said. “We’re trying to get some dimensions to the greens, increase the audio from the course and give you a better look at what the shot looks like to the golfer from the golfer’s view. The technology is part of the experience. It’s not the experience.”
Perhaps the most interesting technology will be the drone flyovers and drop-down remote robotics cameras throughout the course. The flyovers will give viewers better in-depth looks at potential shots as well as a better perspective of the Chambers Bay course.
That’s one of the advantages FOX has this year.
Chambers Bay is a relatively young course, which was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened in June of 2008. Most golf fans know well the layout of Augusta National, home to the Masters. But Chambers Bay is a newcomer that’s only big event was the 2010 U.S. Amateur.
FOX breaking down each and every hole with its technology should help the viewer get a better idea of this difficult links-style course.
Even though many golf fans prefer CBS’ lead golf duo of Jim Nance and Nick Faldo or NBC’s twosome of Dan Hicks and Johnny Miller, FOX has put together the makings of a good broadcast tandem.
Joe Buck will handle lead play-by-play duties and Greg Norman will be the top analyst. Brad Faxon, Holly Sonders, David Fay, Corey Pavin, Juli Inkster and Shane O’Donoghue make up the rest of the broadcast team.
Buck is top-notch in everything he does and The Shark seems an affable, knowledgeable former golfer whom most Americans like.
Norman, however, said his job will be to point out the good and bad and not hold back criticism.
“When you are in the seat of lead analyst you have to give your opinion,” Norman said. “It can’t be sugar-coated. It irks me when I watch TV and every player hits the perfect shot and every player is the greatest short game player in the world and every player is just so good. When you look at it in totality, these players are the best in the world but when they do do something wrong, it’s got to be pointed out.
“I’m going to be very forthright in my thoughts and what I see. I’m not going to go out there to be critical just to be critical. I’m going to be constructive so the viewing audience will be able to understand. It’s the education to the viewers that I’ve got to look forward to giving.”
FOX is looking to give the U.S. Open an edge and it could use one after last year’s disappointing viewership numbers. NBC got hit with a double whammy with the men’s soccer World Cup going on at the same time, as well as German Martin Kaymer, not exactly Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, boat-racing the rest of the field.
This year looks to be a better setup for FOX. First, it’ll be broadcasting a lot in prime time thanks to Chamber Bay’s West Coast location. Second, there’s a developing rivalry between Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, the world’s best two golfers right now.
Third, Phil Mickelson is shooting for the career grand slam and Chambers Bay seems to fit his eye. Fourth, Tiger Woods will be playing and, sad to say, it could be a real train wreck as the USGA sets up a hard tract to be even more difficult.
Though golf viewers generally like when you keep things simple, FOX has a chance to impress this week and it certainly has enough gadgets to woo younger viewers.
But the network would be advised not to overdo.
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Trey Iles can be reached at riles@nola.com or 504.826.3405.