Being on TV is easy – just wear something cute and be sure to see the beauty lady on your way to the studio. user Hassan Television presents a more complex challenge, which is a test of cognitive skills, interactive dexterity, and verbal accuracy. A lot of smart people have trouble communicating their ideas. Lots of fools talk too much.
The more you try to be perfect, the harder TV gets. Preparation usually trumps pressure, but there are banana peels everywhere, especially in live television broadcasts of a golf tournament, when there are 50 balls in the air at any given moment but never more than one microphone on. Natural talents go a long way toward mastering the process, but poise and proper diction are of no value unless you have something to say.
Most TV users don’t. This collection of the top 10 in-game announcers features a mix of on-course reporters, studio analysts, 18th tower reporters, and consistent commentators. Those sitting behind a desk and reading a teleprompter were not included, although none of them would have made the list anyway. It’s all about providing original content to millions of viewers in a way that enlightens and entertains the audience. Insight + Perspective = consideration for a place in the top 10, and from there, the ranking becomes a simple combination of logic and personal preference.
Many will vary. Some will be angry, others will be pleasantly surprised. Ten voices in one small package, all excelling in the elusive art of golf telecast optimization. Ten people deserve a shout out for a job well done.
10. Mark Immelman
His younger brother was CBS’ pick to succeed Nick Faldo in the seat next to Jim Nantz, but Trevor isn’t even the best analyst at the family dinner table. A multi-hat man and definitely the most obscure name in this group, Mark’s role with the network is limited to a few tournaments a year, either because he’s too busy doing other things (swing coach, author, college coach) or because CBS still doesn’t realize how much he is good, it is good. Immelman’s interpretive abilities are remarkable, and the origins likely derive from his technical expertise. His precarious take on live action is far superior to his little brethren, who gush on everything and suffer from a general aversion to dispensing with matter.
Maybe Trevor will spend a few days with Mark over the holidays. Better yet, maybe something will be thrown away.
9. Curt Byrom
His latest promotion to the majors (Golf Channel to NBC) didn’t come a week ago, as the former pro tour carried coverage of lower events on GC for a whopping 20 years. As a commentator, Byrum handles plenty of fairways and plenty of greens, giving up the flash for a hands-on approach and one of the smoothest deliveries in the business. Ostensibly he is replacing David Wehrty, whose unexpected jump to LIV Golf was an easily arguable loss of size– No one embodies exotic peacock feathers better than the game’s class clown – but Byrom has the wisdom, if not the wit, to do the job well.
8. Charles Barclay
Go ahead and laugh. That’s what the round heap of hesitation is looking for – chuckle at Chuck’s irreverent contributions to one or two Made-for-TV matches that he does for TNT every year. Seriously, Barkley brings a lot more to the game than some stupid pet tricks. He is the only African-American to have been vocally connected at a high-level golf event. He’s also exponentially more popular than any other broadcaster, a guarantee of expanding audience on his Q rating alone. Barkley’s sense of humor and self-deprecating style makes him worth his weight, so to speak, and provides a not-so-subtle reminder that a little white ball could use a few black men who don’t interpret 8-foot-1 as a life-and-death scenario. Charles loves to have fun. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
7. Rich learners
The epitome of versatility and consistency, Lerner’s penchant for out-of-the-box adventure brings a valuable commodity to any broadcast. His duties as Golf Channel tournament announcer are handled flawlessly, bolstered by a smooth manner of viewing for any analyst who sits next to him, as evidenced by his commanding presence on “Live From.” The postgame/pregame show has never been better, enhanced by the addition of Paul McGinley while still rooted in Lerner’s insistence on keeping things moving – and interesting. The professional professional, backed by a hint of skill.
6. Dottie Bieber
She can run with the boys, no doubt, having established herself as an obvious force in a network desperate for heavy lifting. Bieber’s turn on CBS, which landed her on the floor with the latter group during the weekend’s run, helped make up for the lack of analytical relevance coming from the booth. Bustle Dotty, tells you what you need to know and may throw a fastball or two into the mix for appropriate action. She had better become more confident. The men upstairs are half asleep.
Dottie Pepper, a match with CBS’ weekend finalists, offers a former player’s authoritative perspective.
John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports
5. Dan Hicks
Having deftly experimented with NBC’s show since 2000, Hicks was a stark departure from the days when the network didn’t have a truly dedicated golf anchor. He was the perfect partner for the indomitable, indomitable Johnny Miller, standing behind the analyst in every dark corner, often with a dose of subtle humor. By any definition, Hicks is an ideal teammate. An air traffic controller who maintains a high level of composure no matter how many jumbo planes are waiting to land, he’s an ordinary guy whose formidable knowledge of the game permeates. NBC should pay him well. It’s worth every penny.
4. Paul Azinger
The same fiery and energetic qualities that made Azinger such a popular player have carried over so well into the Tower, first at ABC, then briefly with Fox before replacing Miller at NBC. Conscientiously drawn from comparisons to his predecessor, Azinger has refused to call on criticism in recent years, but he can still drop a bomb when he needs to –His performance at the 2022 US Open was as good as it gets. No one does a better job of articulating the impact of a Sunday afternoon’s pressure than a guy who won a little and lost a little in similar situations, which you’d expect from a straight shooter whose career has been shattered in both heartbreak and heroism. Azinger is literally the real deal. The viewer can tell he’s been there, and he’s done that.
3. John Wood
It really is Best Reporter on the Course in Business, a natural detective whose curiosity and intelligence are amplified by uncanny observational skills. All of which wouldn’t make Wood the best if he couldn’t turn his thoughts into concise, informative phrases—he’s an unparalleled master of the seven-second bite. His worth at NBC skyrocketed when Jim Mackay left the network in late 2021 to caddy for Justin Thomas, and though Wood came from the same background, his hyperactive mind got the best of him after carrying the bags for 24 years. “If you’re good at it, the biggest reason is that the caddy has to think on its feet,” he says of television. When you’re a rising star on a major network, you don’t have to clean clubs for a living either.
2. Brandell Chambly
There is no one in the industry like him, which is not to say that no one in the industry loves him, but he has ruffled a few feathers and arched a few eyebrows over the years. This alone validates the notion that Chamblee is the hottest member of the local golf media, an utterly consumed student of the game who spends hours working his 30-minute par. In addition to hard work and innate knowledge, the ex-tour pro is also an amazing combination of credulity, arrogance, and intelligence. franchise player for an influential cable network. A sniper with a sharp eye one minute, suave with sensibilities the next. Yes, it’s a handful. It is undoubtedly necessary.
1. Jim Nantz
In the land of rare air, Nantz may already possess one of the most iconic titles an Americana can muster: the greatest sportscaster of all time. Nobody wants to hand such a crown to someone who’s still active, but the CBS golf broadcaster has covered so many balls for so many years, it’s almost ridiculous to think he doesn’t deserve it. He approaches his 30th year at the helm of the network with a much deeper portfolio than that of Jim McKay, Curt Gowdy or Brent Musburger. He moves his tongue maybe once a decade. You can count the number of mistakes he made while presiding over PGA Tour events on one hand, but Nantz’s greatest career achievement might be spending 17 seasons sitting next to Sir Nick Faldo and acting like he likes it.
unflappable. unerring. creative. Nantes has a way of calming the viewer, a trait that will carry on until his retirement day. The only way to rank him second in a list like this is to leave the first place blank.