Since the restart, golf has played some of its biggest events with no spectators. Its next big spectacle is The Masters and it also will be played without fans in attendance. What’s your take on the state of the game without anyone cheering
A ticket to Augusta is one of the most sought after prizes in sports. But this year, with the pandemic still ravaging the U.S., there won’t be any spectators at the tournament in Georgia. Yep, no one cheering at Amen Corner or crowding the fairways on 18 straining to see if the last putt falls. What will that mean for the tournament? Well, you’re going to hear more piped-in music and birds, but golf sort of works without fans, unlike some other sports. Still, the roars on the back nine set the tone for much of what happens on Sunday, and it’ll be disappointing not to hear them. What’s your take on the state of pro golf without fans?
Positive: Golf without fans works just fine and we don’t really miss them.
No one is yelling, “mashed potatoes,” on a big drive. No one is taking a photo in a player’s backswing. No one is standing in the gallery searching for that badly-hit drive or taking one on the fly that bounces back into play. Caddies aren’t telling the crowd to quiet during that key putt.
Instead, it is quiet, and the players are playing much like the average golfer does on the weekend—walking around a course without much fanfare, trying to score as well as possible.
To many, the lack of fans doesn’t hurt things at all when watching a tournament on TV—golf is already a sport where fans are expected to keep quiet for much of the action.
In that regards, golf doesn’t need spectators as much as other sports—and so you haven’t heard fan noise piped in like you’ve had in other sports (we’re looking at you, Major League Baseball!)
Negative: Without the oohs and aahs of fans when a big shot is made or that key putt lips out, golf is missing something.
Augusta without a roar when someone makes a birdie on the back nine on Sunday is simply not The Masters. Those roars are key to the atmosphere at the event—and at every golf tournament, to be honest. And let’s admit it—though there’s often some loudmouth in the crowd, golf fans are generally the best in sports, recognizing when to cheer and when to remain quiet. The roar of fans and their enthusiasm for the big shots—think about the key birdies in the career of Tiger Woods, for instance—often defines those great moments.
Without fans, golf is missing a key element—and let’s not forget that spectators have often kept golf balls in play that were bound for OB, and helped search for wayward tee shots that were the difference in the final score.
Your take?
What’s your perspective—are golf fans a key part of a pro tournament, or are they unnecessary and not missed? Let us know!
It makes it easier for those not used to the pressure and perhaps more challenging for those who thrive on it. Advantage goes to the less experienced.
Still, when you have somebody bombing 400 yard drives, does it really matter?
Personally, I don’t miss the fans and I love seeing fanless course layouts.
Actually the fans at The Masters are the best as they are not shouting and screaming obscenities and generally acting stupid. In most tournaments they get drunk and abusive.
All other tournaments should follow the rules of Augusta National.
I enjoyed watching the golf from Houston this past weekend but I certainly don’t miss the loudmouths yelling ‘in the hole’ etc. It would be nice to identify these idiots and ban them from the courses. The Masters will not be the same without fans tho.
I think it’s the safest way to go. I’m an avid fan of watching golf. How ever I’m disappointed at the officials that are letting fans back on the course. I see several spectators with no masks and standing very close to each other. Why are you not in forcing people to wear mask and keeping social distancing ? DJ just got over Covid and you now have people around him and other players which are not taking this pandemic seriously?
I have been enjoying golf with no fans, no one yelling “mashed potatoes!” on every tee shot. No smart phones everywhere, no one crowding the players after an errand tee shot. The waste management tournament when the course is full of drunken idiots is a prime example. I get that the PGA is in the entertainment business and I’m sure the fans bring allot of revenue to the courses and their community’s, but I’m gonna miss the quiet wide open fairways once things get back to normal.
I’m with you brother
I don’t miss fans at the course at all. I would rather see the full layout of the holes without a sea of people and trampled down flora.
And I absolutely don’t miss all the loud mouth louts ( would have used other words for them ) Having a person yell Bababooie or Get in the hole at the top of their lungs does not help anyone enjoy the sport. Those people need to go.
While i am sure the courses want people and their money, i for one don’t want them back
Yipee hate spectators. Loud rude, interfering. Hate when the cameras focus away from the golf ball to the audience. Dirty stinky drinking smoking mess. Gone for ever I wish