Watching the Match Play Championships today on NBC and one thing is more apparent then ever before: NBC's golf coverage blows. I just heard Peter Jacobson and Johnny Miller take one minute to agree that being 2 down is a much bigger deal then being 1 down after 14 holes. Really? What great analysis. This is why they get paid the big bucks. Not that being 2 down instead of 1 down is ALWAYS a big deal.
Plus, both are kind insufferable. They want to be likable, but really aren't. They just come off smug. Nick Faldo was a far better golfer, and doesn't appear like such a pompous ass. And Johnny Miller is overly critical of everyone, and considering he had to retire because he had the yips I think this is unfair. I have no problem blasting someone for making a poor decision, but when a professional doesn't execute you don't have to question his ability- golf is a game of misses, not makes and you should know that Johnny. He doesn't get a Mr. Miller from me, because any grown man who adds the "y" at the end of his name loses all of his man points. Ghhh..
Making matters worse is that Dan Hicks is basically a flawed clone of Jim Nantz- it seems as if both were created in a genetic experiment much like the 80's hit Twins in which Arnold got all the good features and Danny DeVito was what was leftover. To get all SAT on your ass Nantz is to Hicks as Arnold is to DeVito.
Roger Maltby is pretty tolerable, but would work much better if they would let him break down swings more often like Peter Kostis and didn't make the poor old man walk the course. He should be in a stationary tower, in a position that befits his long service to the game of golf.
And Dottie, not to sound all misogynistic on you, but really? Really? This is the best you could find? You couldn't trot out another old-timer to make us remember the days of yore? I would love for them to send a hacker out there, someone who is a terrible golfer [I am available NBC] to lighten the mood a little bit.
These are just some of the problems with NBC's golf coverage, but the biggest is that they don't utilize the greatest asset they have, Al Michaels. He has the most recognizable voice in sports broadcasting today, understands every event he covers, and has a contract with NBC. Your telling me he wouldn't do the U.S. Open? NBC, get it together. Do you believe in miracles? Because I do NBC.
I know this is a few years old but i just found myself typing into Google search "Dan Hicks bad clone of Jim Nantz" , because that is exactly what he seems like, looks and sounds like Nantz except the clone didnt work that well. I was just telling my wife that and at least 2 other points you made about NBC golf coverage. I had to comment because we were thinking the exact same things. Johnny needs to learn to be less critical and lighten up. Nota Begay and the Silver Stallion are really the best commentators on NBC golf. I am thankful that next week is the Masters and golf returns to CBS where they know how to put together a team, except when they announced they had replaced Feherity with Dottie Pepper I could not believe it. Talk about a lapse in judgment.
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