I also have a pretty big gripe with some of the main golf podcasts and believe they are driving forces behind the degradation of the modern golf fan. They traffic in sarcasm and mockery and, as a result, a lot of golf fans are becoming more like WWE fans. It’s like they need to latch onto a dramatic narrative to entertain or stimulate themselves. God forbid they be a little bored. This then manifests itself in the real world as obnoxious and childish adult golf fans.

It’s spilling into all of golf media as well, as evidenced by a reporter in Wyndham’s presser asking him if he accepts being the “heel” of the PGA.

This is a kayfabe term from WWE culture and it’s genuinely sad that this is part of the discourse now.

The podcasts model this type of discourse and behavior, which fans now mirror. As well as credentialed media at this point.

With the podcasts, I think part of it is the peril of being captured by your audience. The more they utilize sarcasm and kayfabe and mockery, the more engaged their audience likely becomes. So they are then kind of trapped in this feedback loop. They have to degrade themselves for the likes and the views ($$$).

Sorry, bit of a tangent but it’s something that has been bugging me for awhile and it’s nice to see you touch on it a bit here. I think a lot of these podcasts deserve some calling out by serious figures in golf who don’t want to see the game lose its dignity and gravitas. It’s good that golf is less stuffy, but golf is absolutely a game of respect and dignity. The traditional values are good! In comparison with US Open fans, I think Open Championship fans have more reverence for the game, which saddens me as an American.

Anyhow, I really enjoy your writing. It’s refreshing and authentic. Wish you the best of luck in Italy! Looking forward to keeping tabs.