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Golf in 2017: Five things that would be cool to see in the new year

By Colin Mieczkowski

Oct 2, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; The USA poses for a picture with the Ryder Cup after the single matches in 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; The USA poses for a picture with the Ryder Cup after the single matches in 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Promoting Long Drive More in the World of Golf

I don’t really believe in the term, “gimmick” like many folks will say about a sport adding something new into their world. Some people may find the World Long Drive Championship as being one of these so-called gimmicks.

Well, I believe promoting Long Drive is one of the things that can be of interest to a younger audience. Sure, it may be a subset of the broader sport, but it still involves swinging at a golf ball with a driver, only, things are a little more electrifying.

This idea popped into my head, as I watched glimpses of the re-airing of the World Long Drive Championship on Golf Channel the day after Christmas.

If the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, etc can have more long drive competitions during tournaments, it could draw well during the usually quiet practice rounds. I personally think it would be especially fun on the Web.com Tour, where we would get a chance to see the next great bomber off the tee, via the PGA Tour’s proving grounds.

Because let’s face it, every sport has its ‘sexy’ moment. In basketball, it’s a ferocious slam dunk or a killer crossover. Baseball, it’s undoubtedly the home run and in football, it’s a long touchdown pass or run.

But in golf? It’s got to be the long drive. Yes, sticking a pin from well over 100 hundred is a drooling moment for us who admire pure skill.

But, hitting the ball far as humanly possible is arguably the most highly demanded aspect of golf that people want to learn how to do. You have a massive fairway, and a flag that’s between 400 and 500 yards so the door is wide open for you to show off your stuff.

And I think some of us quietly enjoy showing off our skills. Some of us are much more expressive about them.

So, promoting long drive contests in professional golf is a great way to draw more fans, without ruining the tournament. The PGA Championship has done so well with this little competition, and I think other events can learn from that, and have one of their own or something similar, to add to non-tournament rounds.

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