The Bigger Picture

Live golf on terrestrial TV seems to have been consigned to the dustbin of history. Do we need to fight for its return, or is there a better way to reach out to, and enthuse, a new generation of golfers?

- Fergus Bisset

WE ASKED

Would more golf on terrestrial TV increase participation at grassroots level?

When we recently put this question out to our 250,000 social media followers, the answer was a resounding yes. A Twitter poll had 81 per cent of respondents reply in the affirmative that golf on terrestrial TV would boost playing numbers. Responses and comments to accompany the poll included those accusing the BBC of abandoning golf, effectively pulling the rug from under the sport. Others fondly remembered the good old days, when on a Monday after a Major covered by the Beeb, courses were packed with inspired golfers.

Ostensibly, it would seem logical that more free-to-view golf on TV would mean a greater audience and so greater potential to inspire and attract newcomers. It would also be easy to surmise that, as golf has disappeared from terrestrial TV, people are no longer being inspired to go out and play. But is the situation that clear cut?

First thing to consider is the way people consume media now, compared with those ‘dashing out after The Masters’ days. Back then, there were only four channels on TV. If you were a sports fan you watched the golf, if not you watched the Bond film on the other side. Now, there are so many more avenues to explore if you want to be entertained. People have Netflix or Amazon Prime, they might have a Sky package, or they might largely follow their passions on social media. With so much choice, even if golf was on terrestrial TV would anyone other than die-hard golf fans actually watch it?