Who are the very Best and very Worst Golf Announcers?
Who are the very Best and very Worst Golf Announcers?
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This topic produces wildly varying opinions.
Seems that some of you love Johnny Miller, Nick Faldo, David Feherty, etc., and some of you think they are hacks! (or worse)
Who do you like to listen to when watching coverage of your favorite tournament? Tell me why they impress you or turn you off. You can include past announcers, as some of the writers below have done, in addition to current commentators.
Here is Lou Vozza‘s take while writing for bleacherreport.com
BEST
Johnny Miller.
Miller is a man among boys in this business. Always insightful, consistently makes great calls, not afraid to be politically incorrect. Oddly subversive for a straight laced Mormon type. Drives 120 mph in his Ferrari to church.
Full disclosure: one of his from-the-booth golf tips solved an early release problem in my golf swing that dropped my handicap from 12 to eight. I should send the guy a freakin’ check.
I know he has an army of detractors, but that’s probably a good sign. He’s not trying to please everybody
Jim Nantz.
Cool and corporate compared to Miller, the hot instigator. Best voice, though, which counts extra for the play by play guy. Likeable for some reason you can’t put your finger on. Miller and Nantz together would be a dream team.
Dan Hicks.
Solid play by play.
Nick Faldo.
Nothing brilliant going on between the ears here, but pleasant enough personality. He’s slightly clever without being annoying. Not being annoying counts for a lot. If you sit down and watch an entire tournament, these guys are on air for as much as 16 hours.
David Feherty.
Legitimately amusing.
WORST
Gary McCord.
Not funny. Not cool. Aging wanna-be frat boy. Pathetic case of arrested development.
Paul Azinger.
Fortunately, lost his job. Still shows up occasionally on the Golf Channel and the odd ABC telecast. He has all the negative qualities of Dennis Miller without the redemptive wit.
Mike Tirico.
Lost his job wiith Azinger when the PGA cancelled ABC’s contract. He’s now being gradually drummed out of TV football broadcasting into radio. Smart enough guy with a slick delivery, but unlikeable. Way too nerdy.
Chris Berman.
I know he only gets an hour or so every year, and even then only when ABC/ESPN gets the U.S. Open. But even a couple of hours a year of Chris Berman calling golf is a crime against broadcasting.
Kelly Tilghman.
She’s not awful, but in over her head. It’s a tougher job than you think. Would be fine walking the fairways and doing the side commentary. If they need a token woman, put Dottie Pepper or Judy Rankis in there.
Takes on this subject by other writers include:
Please Note: These are the opinions of Lou Vozza and bleacherreport.com and not of Mel Sole or The Mel Sole Golf School. This article was curated from bleacherreport.com, and all credits go to them! I have removed inappropriate comments regarding Paul Azinger. This is not a political forum! Lou Vozza will no longer be featured on golfchats.com
Source: Lou Vozza bleacherreport.com
Pictures: Dan Perry
Thanks for reading – Who are the very Best and very Worst Golf Announcers?
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Tags: David Feherty, Jim Nantz, Johnny Miller, Sir Nick Flado, TV Announcers