If you glanced at Golfweek's website or the Miami Herald, you might have read the report about Ty Tryon finishing one stroke out of advancing to US Open sectional qualifying. It ends up that Tryon, once considered the next phenom in golf, was penalized one stroke for slow play, and that cost him a spot in the four-man playoff for the final spot. Much has been written about slow play in golf and its adverse effects on the game. But as Jon Show of The Sporting News writes, slow play might not be so bad for the average golf viewer...
I have dozed in and out of consciousness through some of the biggest moments in the history of golf, which is why I love the sport.
Wake up Sunday morning, read the paper, play golf/do yardwork/do nothing, and then settle in for a front-nine nap before catching the back-nine finish. Who cares if Tiger Woods is going for his umpteenth straight win? Just give me a sunny day, Jim Nantz at 15 decibels, and a snack consisting of fried stuff and cheese.
He adds...
In a sport where casual and professional golfers alike seek unattainable perfection, golf gives the duffer at home a weekly opportunity to watch a group of people pull off shots that he or she will likely never duplicate. And if you're lucky, you'll catch a solid two-hour nap that provides an excuse to avoid housework or exercise.
I think we are all guilty of falling asleep while watching golf on television. There is something soothing about it. Regardless, slow play is a major issue. The tour and networks know that it affects the ratings and the quality of the telecasts.
