Not the Peoples Choice.
If Johnny Miller is reading this, we hope he's sitting down. Preferably, in the comfort of his home, while wearing his favorite pair of houndstooth-pattern pants. Johnny, there's no easy way to say this, but when it comes to golf analysts, you're not the people's choice anymore.
Nick Faldo.
Nick Faldo overtaking Miller was one of the most noteworthy findings in Golf Digest's latest survey of TV viewers. It wasn't a blowout, but Faldo, the six-time major champion, received 58 percent to Miller's 53 percent in the favorite-analyst category.(Respondents could choose multiple options.) In previous TV surveys (2002 and 1996), Miller was the dominant winner among analysts.
But was it a fair fight? Miller still had plenty of support and was widely praised for his "brutal honesty," but Faldo has four more majors and that distinguished English accent. More important, he gets to call the Masters, the runaway favorite event among viewers (66 percent to 12 percent for the Ryder Cup), as well as a second major, the PGA Championship. Meanwhile, NBC didn't broadcast the U.S. Open for the first time in two decades, and it wasn't a Ryder Cup year.
Jim Nantz.
Regardless, there's no contest when it comes to hosts/play-by-play announcers. As was the case in our last comprehensive survey, Jim Nantz emerged an easy winner among respondents, who were 83 percent male, had a median age of 59, and averaged watching 19 tournaments last season. In other words, these weren't just bandwagon Masters fans. To be sure, Nantz's popularity isn't hurt by his ubiquitous presence at CBS' biggest sporting events, from the Super Bowl to the Final Four. Still, his 65 percent (nearly doubling ESPN's Mike Tirico, at 33 percent) versus just 8 percent of viewers naming Nantz their least favorite, is impressive.
Faldo is the New King of the Booth!
Faldo is the New King of the Booth!
Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC. We conduct 1, 2 and 3-day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, and senior golf schools—any golf instruction program your heart desires. Give us a call at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993. We will be happy to book a commuter school or a package that contains accommodations, golf, and golf school.
Golf Blog by the Mel Sole Golf School.
I have never been a great fan of Nick Faldo as a broadcaster. So it came as quite a surprise when he beat out Johnny Miller as the most popular broadcaster in golf. I have always liked Johnny's honesty and tremendous knowledge of the game. Nick seems a little "smarmy" for my liking. But, we live in a democratic society, so I defer to the winner.
It came as no surprise to me that Fox ousted Greg Norman. His duty during the US Open was disastrous, to say the least. He was so insincere in his constant flattery of the USGA, even though we all knew what a catastrophe the golf course condition was.
I'll still look forward to listening to Jim Nantz in early April. I cannot wait!
Learn wedge play from Sir Nick Faldo!
My Best Swing Tip Ever – Johnny Miller!
What it takes to be a good wedge player! Learn it right here!
My Best Shot #8 Sir Nick Faldo!
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL, LIKE THIS VIDEO, SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND, LEAVE A COMMENT!