Phil Mickelson appeared on ESPN's Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday to discuss what LIV Golf is doing to grow the game.
The High Flyers GC captain has been vocal about the Saudi-supported tour and how good it is for the game. Last year alone, he caused quite a stir.
On the McAfee show, Mickelson said, Average age of golf viewers In recent years, the number of golf fans has increased from 55 to 65, and it is noted that they are still among the top golf fans. NFL, MLB, and NBA fans can buy seats and watch 100% of the games, but fans attending golf tournaments are different.
“Golf fans are the most loyal fans in all of sports,” Mickelson said. “In golf, you buy a ticket, walk miles and see part of the game.”
This led him to explain how LIV Golf is trying to appeal to younger generations by presenting golf in a different way.
He listed two ways they are doing it. The first was LIV's play format.
“With the shotgun start, you can come out and see all the top players play in a short four-and-a-half hour period,” Mickelson said.
He then explained how fans who enjoy soccer and other sporting events know who will be playing because teams control their players' schedules. Golfers create their own.
“Rather than knowing who's going to be there, fans have an idea of who might be there,” he said. “If I'm a fan, I want to see the best players play against each other. I want to play against the best players more often, but I don't have schedule conflicts outside of the majors. LIV has created 14 events. I know who's going to play…'
Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images
Technically, he's right on both counts.
Fans have to stay on the course, sometimes up to 12 hours, to get a glimpse of the best players. But unlike other sports, it's impossible to see everything everyone does, even in shotgun starts. In fact, you'll still miss most of the action.
That's what tournament golf is for fans.
In fact, you could also argue that starting shotgun eliminates your chances of seeing more stars.
Knowing which players will play in which tournaments is a little more concise. Sponsors will appreciate it too.
Although many people still dislike the changes brought about by LIV, Mickelson argues that these changes will help make golf more appealing to younger generations.
Growing the game should be the whole mindset of professional golf. This should not only be about expanding men's golf, but also women's golf and the LPGA.
Mickelson explained it simply, but reps will need more than formatting and scheduling if they want to stay popular.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through.If you want to know more about golf, please follow us. @_PlayingThrough On all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirls and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
