You ever watch the golf on TV and wonder, in a field of 140, commentators can tell you who is playing what shot? Or how do they know what club the players are hitting? As it is happening?
Well a lot of that is down to ball spotters.
What's a ball spotter ?
Usually you get employed by IMG, European Tour or SKY, you are miked up to the graphics director in the studio and you then pass information on to him or her.
The information varies depending on the group you are attached to, you may be just informing the studio of the scores if it's a "off pace" group to whose shot it is to club selection if you have a "hot" group.
The key is to stay calm and just pass the information needed by the studio, you are a very small cog in a huge production, but is vitally important you are precise and accurate.
As a spotter you try to be invisible to the player but make sure you built a rap ore with the caddie, you rely on hand signals from them in order to pass the information back to the studio or to the on course commentator and if you have a really hot group.
I won't lie it's a job I love more than any other job I have ever done in golf.
You are there in the heat of the action, inside the ropes, walking the fairways and doing a semi important jobs.
A few players will talk to you, a few ignore you are there and to be fair a few wish you where anywhere else but there!But in all the time I have done it only one player has searched me out at the end to the round to shake my hand and say thank you, that player was Shane Lowry.
Was at Royal Aberdeen at the AAM Scottish Open in 2014, I made comment on social media at the time, I was very impressed by the man and his manners.
This is why I find the social media and PGA tour lynching mob after last weeks Honda Classic surprising.
Shane Lowry was summoned by Andy Pazder of the PGA and, as I understand it, fined by the PGA tour.
Now did Lowry hook a drive into the crowd severely injuring someone without shouting fore? Em well no.
Did Lowry spit in the direction of the crowd? Em well no.
Did Lowry take 25 practice swings holding up the group behind him? Em well no.
Did Lowry get caught taking "recreational" drugs? Em well no.
Was Lowry caught being intimate with another players wife? Em well no.
No Lowry was hung out to dry for procrastinating!
On the 15th at the PGA national, with a stupid pin placement, he hit the ball in the water at used the F word.
Quite frankly I would have done the same, every single person I play with would have done the same, if you would not have sworn then you deserve to be canonised !
You go to any English Premier League match or NFL game or in fact any sporting event you will here it louder and a hell of a lot more harsh.
The reaction has been ridicules !
If you don't want to hear professional golfers swear then either don't put mikes close to them or watch with the TV on mute!
Quite frankly I would have been more disturbed if a player put one in the drink and did not swear at himself!
Now take note of that! "Swore at himself", not swearing at an official, the crowd or an opponent but at himself.
Honestly walk round Walmart and you will hear worse language and see worse behaviour.
There are more serious things in golf and in tour golf, perhaps the PGA Tour need to tackle the real issues and not this.
Shane apologised and this is were this should have ended!
And if you disagree with me then, in the words of triple H, I have 2 words for you!
Well a lot of that is down to ball spotters.
What's a ball spotter ?
Usually you get employed by IMG, European Tour or SKY, you are miked up to the graphics director in the studio and you then pass information on to him or her.
The information varies depending on the group you are attached to, you may be just informing the studio of the scores if it's a "off pace" group to whose shot it is to club selection if you have a "hot" group.
The key is to stay calm and just pass the information needed by the studio, you are a very small cog in a huge production, but is vitally important you are precise and accurate.
As a spotter you try to be invisible to the player but make sure you built a rap ore with the caddie, you rely on hand signals from them in order to pass the information back to the studio or to the on course commentator and if you have a really hot group.
I won't lie it's a job I love more than any other job I have ever done in golf.
You are there in the heat of the action, inside the ropes, walking the fairways and doing a semi important jobs.
A few players will talk to you, a few ignore you are there and to be fair a few wish you where anywhere else but there!But in all the time I have done it only one player has searched me out at the end to the round to shake my hand and say thank you, that player was Shane Lowry.
Was at Royal Aberdeen at the AAM Scottish Open in 2014, I made comment on social media at the time, I was very impressed by the man and his manners.
This is why I find the social media and PGA tour lynching mob after last weeks Honda Classic surprising.
Shane Lowry was summoned by Andy Pazder of the PGA and, as I understand it, fined by the PGA tour.
Now did Lowry hook a drive into the crowd severely injuring someone without shouting fore? Em well no.
Did Lowry spit in the direction of the crowd? Em well no.
Did Lowry take 25 practice swings holding up the group behind him? Em well no.
Did Lowry get caught taking "recreational" drugs? Em well no.
Was Lowry caught being intimate with another players wife? Em well no.
No Lowry was hung out to dry for procrastinating!
On the 15th at the PGA national, with a stupid pin placement, he hit the ball in the water at used the F word.
Quite frankly I would have done the same, every single person I play with would have done the same, if you would not have sworn then you deserve to be canonised !
You go to any English Premier League match or NFL game or in fact any sporting event you will here it louder and a hell of a lot more harsh.
The reaction has been ridicules !
If you don't want to hear professional golfers swear then either don't put mikes close to them or watch with the TV on mute!
Quite frankly I would have been more disturbed if a player put one in the drink and did not swear at himself!
Now take note of that! "Swore at himself", not swearing at an official, the crowd or an opponent but at himself.
Honestly walk round Walmart and you will hear worse language and see worse behaviour.
There are more serious things in golf and in tour golf, perhaps the PGA Tour need to tackle the real issues and not this.
Shane apologised and this is were this should have ended!
And if you disagree with me then, in the words of triple H, I have 2 words for you!
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