Do you watch the LPGA on TV?

I asked a number of my friends and golf students this question and got a variety of answers. Most of them were reasons why they didn’t watch women’s golf. I will list some of these and see if you are in this category. I will also list reasons why I feel you should be watching these great athletes.

Reasons why some people do not watch the LPGA on TV:

• They are playing for smaller purses. Last year Nellie Korda won 7 tournaments and won only 4.4 million dollars. The PGA pros in Majors and Signature events receive that for winning one tournament. The winner in the KPMG Major for women won 1.6 million. The winner of the PGA Traveler’s tournament the same week won 3.6 million.
• They don’t play the big-time courses like the Augusta National and the Players. I like watching golf on courses that I have heard of. The good news is the LPGA will be playing in future years Pebble Beach, Olympic Club, Erin Hills, and the Old Course at St. Andrews.
• They are usually on TV channels that cost extra to subscribe such as Peacock. I tried to find the KPMG Ladies tournament on Sunday and they were on Peacock from 11 – 3:00 and 3:00-6:00 on NBC. Conversely. The PGA tournament was on TV most of the day on ESPN, Golf Channel and CBS.
• The tour is dominated by golfers from Asia and Korea. I can’t even pronounce their names. What happened to the good old days of women’s golf with Kathy Whitworth, Nancy Lopez, Michele Wie and other American golfers I could relate to.
• The TV graphics aren’t as good as the PGA Tour. The commentators aren’t as interesting.
• Many women athletes are typically stereotyped by their appearance rather than their athletic performance. The PGA pros do not have this type of scrutiny.

Reasons why you should watch the LPGA on TV:

• LPGA golf is more relatable to the amateur golfer.
• Most LPGA Tour courses are set up between 6,200 and 6,600 which compares to what most men play at their home courses. Men can definitely relate to the women’s distances compared to the PGA tour.
• The average clubhead speed for LPGA golfers is 100 mph and that is more than most amateur men at 80-90 mph.
• LPGA golfers have great tempo compared to PGA professionals.
• LPGA typically have great short games.
• The LPGA players are using equipment that the average male golfer should be using.
• LPGA will carry clubs in their golf bag, such as hybrids, that the amateur golfer wil have in their bag. Most amateur golfers cannot relate to the distances the PGA golfers hit.

I really hope that you will be watching the LPGA in the future.

Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at local golf courses. jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com; golfdoctorjean.com.