Johnny Miller (left) and Dan Hicks in the NBC booth.
Who is your favorite golf announcer?
That’s a popular topic of conversation among those of us who spend far too many of our weekend hours watching far too many flat-bellies joylessly shooting 66s. I got to thinking about it again after the staffs of Sporting News and SportsBusiness Journal recently published their list of the top 25 football broadcasters.
I thought SN/SBJ nailed their top two picks – CBS college analyst Gary Danielson was No. 1, followed by NBC’s lead NFL analyst, Cris Collinsworth.
Their assessment of Danielson: “He explains it before most of us have seen it.” If I were picking that list, I’d say something similar about Danielson; each Saturday during the fall, I’m struck by his almost-clairvoyant comments on strategy. That’s what I want from an analyst: someone who gives me better insight into what I’m watching rather than resorting to clichés. Danielson and play-by-play man Verne Lundquist (No. 8) are so good together they even manage to make those weekly 13-10 Southeastern Conference scrums seem exciting.
I could quibble with the SN/SBJ list in other places. Al Michaels seems too high at No. 3, and Ron Jaworski is way, way too low at No. 16. But it’s not a bad list.
It inspired me to put together a list of my favorite golf announcers. I’ll limit my list to 10 since the pool of golf broadcasters isn’t as deep as it is in football.
Brandel Chamblee
Here’s one man’s very humble opinion:
1. Brandel Chamblee, Golf Channel – Whether he’s working in the studio or the 18th tower, Chamblee’s take on issues always is worth hearing. Thoughtful, provocative and persuasive. He’s “The Natural.”
2. David Feherty, CBS – His wit sometimes causes viewers to overlook his wisdom. He’s TV’s sharpest on-course announcer. Unlike colleague Gary McCord, Feherty has found a happy balance between levity and insightful commentary.
3. Johnny Miller, NBC – In past years, he probably would have finished first on this list. He still makes for must-listening, though I sense that he too often relies on intuition rather than informed analysis.
4. Dottie Pepper, Golf Channel/NBC – She’s the type of announcer I always hoped Lanny Wadkins would be when he worked for CBS – a fiery player who adapts well to broadcasting. Her decision to cut back her schedule in 2010 and work only for NBC is a blow to Golf Channel.
5. Paul Azinger, ESPN – He initially developed a substantial fan base several years ago when paired with Nick Faldo on ABC. I actually thought his work was markedly better – crisper, more assured commentary – following his Ryder Cup captaincy.
6. Curt Byrum, Golf Channel – If you told me I could watch only one tour each week, I’d pick the Nationwide Tour, and the underrated Byrum is a big reason why.
Judy Rankin
7. Nick Faldo, CBS/Golf Channel – He suffers from erratic performances. There are times when his work is good enough to be ranked No. 1 here, and other weeks when he wouldn’t even sniff this list. He needs to bring his “A” game to the booth more often.
8. Judy Rankin, ESPN – Count me among those who have a soft spot for Miss Judy. She has a reputation as a hard worker and it shows in the quality of her commentary.
9. Peter Kostis, CBS – His swing analyses alone might be enough to earn him a spot on this list. His post-round interviews are painful to watch, but his on-course analysis is spot-on.
10. Frank Nobilo, Golf Channel – He probably suffers when compared to his sidekick, Chamblee. But his work is steady, and I sense that he still has a big upside if Golf Channel pushes him harder.
Comments
linkster (anonymous) says...
would agree with names on list with Chamblee on top...MIller is generally good, but would be tongue tied if reference to "I" was deleted from his vocabulary and commentary..also think Val Skinner and Kay Cockerill do good job on LPGA telecasts...glad to see more x players getting involved...Mark Lye is very good..would probably replace Byrum with him..
November 24, 2009 at 4:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jimmyj (anonymous) says...
A good list Martin, but it's like asking 'who is your favorite singer'.
I used to judge announcers by whether or not they drank Miller's koolaid and started saying 'up and in' instead of the more proper & traditional 'up and down' as in . . Up on the green And Down in the hole. Shame on the followers/sheep!
My personal main criteria for announcers is honesty - which is usually is displayed by the number and phoniness of their excuses for poor shots. Number 1 in my book is. "goodness, a big wind came up just when he hit that shot in the water!"
You've got Sir Faldo right..consistancy is his only problem
Zinger leaves me a little cold but he Has been there
Val Skinner seems gloomy with her many doomsday details
Never saw a bad shot Mark Lye didn't have 3 excuses for.
Directors should lower 'polite clapping track' when a player hits it 7 feet past the hole
..and finally..'wrong way' Rolfing must stop trying to read putts
November 24, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mac (anonymous) says...
Johnny Miller is #1 by a long shot!!!!
c'mon...with his commentary on the "trap draw", his 63 at Oakmont, players choking & puking, Ben Hogan rolling over in his grave, etc. is priceless!!
November 24, 2009 at 10:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
golfdoc1 (anonymous) says...
I agree with Mac that Johnny Miller is the best. To say that Miller relies on "intuition rather than informed analysis" is to totally miss that Miller has an impressive breadth of knowledge from his own experience to call on when broadcasting. Listen to him break down a golf swing, explain various types of shots, or analyze the mental capacity of players.
He is the only announcer who has ever said things that I didn't already know about conditions, shots, course management, and strategy under pressure. Most of all, Miller is the most willing to call 'em as he sees 'em, unafraid to point out players' weaknesses in thinking and shot-making.He is not too concerned about whether the players love him and this allows him to be critical when necessary. While he was initially slow to catch on to the skill of Tiger Woods, once he "got it" he has given Tiger his deserved credit.
Faldo was a much better player than he is an announcer. He is too self-conscious, too concerned with coming off with wit, and not too good in his sense of timing when making comments. Too often, his comments seem misplaced or inappropriate. But there are times when his experience helps viewers understand good course strategy.
The game Faldo played was quite different than the game of the long ball players of today. And Faldo's nervousness and hand-wringing make him look like he can't control his own emotional reactions.
I used to like listening to Bob Rosburg's on-course commentary. And Donna Caponi--not even mentioned--does a good job on the Champions tour.
November 24, 2009 at 11:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ok_Golfer (anonymous) says...
I guess he only comes around during the U.S. Open, but I really enjoy listening to Curtis Strange. I really wish someone would talk him into doing more events.
November 25, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bromj01 (anonymous) says...
Miller in a landslide--prepared, passionate provocative and persuasive!
Ken Venturi(not on your list)-- a great passion you could feel in his broadcasts--bring him back at least for the Masters--please!
Pat Summerall(sp)--still sounds good on the occasional promo when I hear his voice. I'm afraid Nance is not standing the test of time(is it his time?)with his herculean efforts
toward winning more Emmy"s for his insightful, drippy, forced 'up close and personal'
profiling... I'll take Summerall and leave the profiling to Jimmy 'whats his name" on the sidellines
Zinger-Great! speaks from the heart and tells you everything. Is it that he doesn't want to work more? or do the networks actually think that the "willy, nilly, silly" Faldo is a better rating draw.
Judy is great.
Faldo is awful and very unprepared,
Nobilo is awful --programmed and monotonal
Kostis says some real strange things about the golf swing that I find difficult to understand and actually question..(I even have his book)
Brandel is a natural but a little offensive and pushy--by no means first on my list
I also really like the curly haired guy on the golf channel who is kind of the lead-in
analyst and also the wrapper-up guy at the end...does good play by play and is quite inciteful, despite the fact that he has work with Kelly a lot (She is not good)
Hey -how about 10 worst ???
November 25, 2009 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mac (anonymous) says...
bromj01...
If we do a 10 worst list, a lot of people might put Miller on the top of that one as well!!!
It is funny how he is either love or hate. Nothing in the middle.
November 25, 2009 at 11:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jwoody98 (anonymous) says...
Martin.... I'm not quite sure how you can list these 10 people and leave off Gary McCord. Also, I'm a little shocked you don't have a Golfweek representative on this list. I think Golfweek has come a long way in their Amatuer/College coverage the past few years since they've hired Asher Wildman. Before that there wasn't as much coverage on Golfweek's website until he brought his personality to the worldwide web. He isn't a tv talker, but in today's society the internet is just as popular as television. He is a young personable character that is able to relate to today's youth which makes for great one-on-one interviews and specials.
November 28, 2009 at 2:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Robielucy (anonymous) says...
Kelly Tilghman of Golf Channel.
November 28, 2009 at 8:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TheBeave1 (anonymous) says...
It is very disappointing that the Golf Channel discontinued College Central. I looked for a replacement news source and found Off Campus to surprisingly have more relevant information in regards to the college golf arena. Asher Wildman (the host of Off Campus) often picks up on points that College Central missed all together. I'm glad to see that Golfweek has not let the coverage on college golf slide under the radar. These kids are the future of golf, and I appreciate a reliable source to obtain my golf news. I know college golf may not have the highest ratings, but people like me that follow it really do appreciate the coverage.
November 29, 2009 at 10:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KentuckyBlue (anonymous) says...
Okay I am perfectly fine with all of these except for one....Johnny Miller. This man ruins watching golf for me. When golf is on ABC i can't even watch it because Miller is such a turn-off. The only thing that he knows to reference is his 63 in the U.S. Open and that every bloomin putt is an easy putt!! He bashes every player who makes a bad play that isn't Tiger Woods. If i was ABC i would've given him the boot after his first sentence of his first telecast.
If you were to ask me, Nick Faldo and Jim Nance are the best in golf. That's why i love CBS's coverage.
November 29, 2009 at 9:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kimberanna (anonymous) says...
Brandel Chamblee is honestly the only reason I watch the Golf Channel anymore! He keeps things moving, always has a smart comment that actually makes sense & isn't something just to fill air time or "just to hear themselves speak." He's fiesty but honest & almost always dead on. Great choice for #1 guys...my opinion of you has just gone up! *Giggles
January 4, 2010 at 2:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )