There’s something about golf that just seems to demand a hushed tone. Maybe it’s the pristine setting of the green, or the serious faces of the players. But for some reason, golf announcers tend to whisper during the game. It can be pretty strange sometimes. In this blog post, we’ll explore why golf announcers whisper and what effect it has on the game.
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Why Do Golf Announcers Whisper?
Golf commentators whisper to keep their voices down so nearby golfers playing their shot won’t be distracted. The ones who whisper are the on-course announcers. They are usually standing pretty close to the golfers.
When the crowd is silenced as the golfer gets ready to take his shot, the announcer has to whisper his commentary to avoid being the only person talking and potentially distracting the golfer.
It’s polite and respectful to keep your voice at a minimum while someone else is trying to concentrate on making their golf shot. This is important especially when golfers are putting, as this aspect of the game can be the decisive moment of who wins or loses the round. Therefore golfers need all the silence they can get in order to sink the ball into the hole.
Of course, golf announcers aren’t the only ones who whisper during golf games. Fans often do it too, especially when a player is taking a shot. It can be pretty difficult to keep quiet when you’re excited about the game, but it’s important to remember that the golfers need all the quiet they can get to focus on their shot.
The Different Types Of Golf Announcers
Golf is more like tennis, where the fans are expected to “be quiet” as a player summons their concentration to put the ball into play. There are 3 kinds of golf announcers.
- those in the main studio-booth. These guys are there for the duration of the telecast and are not near any players (though they are on the grounds, usually close to the main clubhouse), so they can speak in a normal tone of voice at all times and are expected to give the main narrative of the action. They are using the video feed plus the earpiece or headphone connected to their producer to stay tuned to what is going on.
- those in the watch-towers overlooking specific holes. Typically these “aeries” are temporary structures behind a green that give that announcer a view of their own hole and sometimes an adjacent hole (so they can do double-duty in covering the action near them). These are not “booths” that are sound-isolated, though they are typically 20–30 feet above the green, but these guys have to speak in hushed tones when players on their own green are putting because they can be overheard if they speak in a normal tone.
- those who are “roving reporters” on the course. These guy/gals normally are following a single group but can move around to a limited extent if something especially interesting is going on with another hole. Typically they are pretty close to the players so they can observe and report what club a player is preparing to hit, and that means they have to be completely quiet if within 10–20 yards or so. Often they will move somewhat up the fairway and then they can talk over the player’s preparation or swing but they still have to talk in hushed tones so they don’t distract the player because it’s usually completely quiet around the player at that time and voices often carry pretty well.
What Effect Does Whispering Have on the Game?
Whispering can have a calming effect on the game. It can also make the game seem more exciting, because the announcers’ voices add an element of suspense.
Some people find golf to be a very boring sport, but if you’re a fan of the game, then you know that there’s a lot of strategy and skill involved. Whispering can help to add to the tension and excitement of the game, making it more enjoyable to watch.
Does Noise Have An Affect On Golfer’s Performance?
It has been long debated whether or not noise is a factor in golf performance. Some say that it severely affects their concentration, while others claim that it does not bother them at all. So, who is right?
One study looked at the effects of noise on golfers’ putting performance. The results showed that the golfers who were exposed to noise made significantly less putts than those who were not exposed to noise.
So, it seems that noise can indeed have a negative effect on golf performance. This is likely why golf announcers try to keep their voices down while commentating. By doing so, they are helping to create a more conducive environment for the players.
Who are some of the best golf announcers and commentators
When it comes to golf commentators, there are many different opinions on who is the best. However, there are a few names that seem to come up time and time again as being the best in the business. Here are five of the best golf announcers and commentators currently working in the industry.
1. Jim Nantz
Arguably the most well-known golf commentator currently working, Jim Nantz is the face of CBS Sports’ golf coverage. He has been calling golf tournaments for CBS since 1985 and has become one of the most recognized voices in the sport. In addition to his work on golf, Nantz also calls NFL and college basketball games for CBS.
2. Johnny Miller
Johnny Miller is another well-known golf commentator who currently works for NBC Sports. He began his broadcasting career in 1990 and has been a fixture on NBC’s golf coverage ever since. In addition to his work as a commentator, Miller is also an accomplished golfer, having won 25 PGA Tour events during his career.
3. Paul Azinger
Paul Azinger is a former professional golfer who transitioned into broadcasting after his playing career ended. He currently works as a golf analyst for Fox Sports and has been a part of the network’s golf coverage since 2014. In addition to his work on television, Azinger also writes columns for Golf Digest and Golf World.
4. David Feherty
David Feherty is a popular golf commentator who currently works for CBS and Golf Channel. He began his broadcasting career in 1997 and has become known for his humorous take on the game of golf. In addition to his work as a commentator, Feherty is also an accomplished golfer, having won 11 PGA Tour events during his career.
5. Ian Baker-Finch
Ian Baker-Finch is a former professional golfer who currently works as a golf commentator for CBS and Golf Channel. He began his broadcasting career in 1999 and has become one of the most respected voices in the sport. In addition to his work on television, Baker-Finch also writes columns for Golf Digest and Golf World.
Why Are Golf Annoucers So Old?
There are a few reasons why golf announcers and commentators tend to be older. For one, golf is traditionally considered a sport for older people.
It’s not as physically demanding as other sports, so it’s something that people can play into their older years. Additionally, golf announcers and commentators usually have a lot of experience in the sport.
They’ve been playing and following golf for many years, so they have a deep understanding of the game. Finally, golf announcers and commentators tend to be very well-spoken and articulate. They’re able to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely, which is a valuable skill in any sportscasting role.
So those are a few reasons why golf announcers and commentators tend to be older. But that doesn’t mean that there’s no room for younger voices in the golf world.
In recent years, we’ve seen a number of young announcers and commentators who are bringing fresh perspectives to the sport. And as golf continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more young voices in the coming years.
How Much Do Golf Announcers And Commentators Make?
Golf commentators are among the highest paid sports commentators in the world. They can earn millions of dollars per year, depending on their experience and popularity. The top earners in this field make over $5 million annually.
Some of the most popular and well-known golf commentators include:
-Jim Nantz
-Dave Feherty
-Johnny Miller
-Nick Faldo
-Paul Azinger
-Greg Norman
While the exact salaries of these commentators are not known, it is safe to say that they earn significantly more than the average commentator. For example, the average commentator in the United States earns an annual salary of $60,000.
So, how do golf commentators make so much money? There are a few factors that contribute to their high salaries.
First, golf is a very popular sport, both in the United States and internationally. This means that there is a large audience for golf commentary, which in turn creates high demand for commentators.
Second, golf commentators have a lot of knowledge about the sport. They often have years of experience playing and/or working in the golf industry. This expertise gives them credibility with viewers and makes them more valuable to networks.
Third, golf commentators usually have very strong voices and personalities. This helps them to stand out from other commentators and makes them more entertaining to listen to.
Fourth, golf commentators often have high-profile jobs outside of their commentary work. For example, many of them are also successful golf instructors or authors. This gives them additional exposure and income potential.
So, if you’re looking to become a golf commentator, there’s good news: you can potentially earn a very high salary. Just remember that it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and expertise to make it to the top.
The tradition of whispering in golf
It’s also a tradition for golf announcers to speak softly during tournaments. Some people believe that the soft-spoken style of golf commentary adds to the sport’s elegance and charm. Others find it frustrating, particularly when they’re trying to listen to the commentary on TV.
Whatever your opinion, there’s no denying that golf announcers and commentators play an important role in the sport. They provide valuable insights and analysis, and help to bring the game to life for fans all over the world.
Conclusion
Golf announcers and commentators play an important role in the sport of golf. They provide analysis and commentary that helps viewers understand what’s happening on the course.
Golf announcers whisper so that they don’t distract the players while they make their shots. Golfers need to focus on the game at hand, and hearing too much noise from commmentators can take them out of their game. By whispering, announcers take the attention away from the players.
While golf announcers and commentators tend to be older, there’s also a growing number of young voices in the sport. As golf continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more young voices in the coming years.
