Woods’ absence hurting the game
Tiger Woods’ absence from the game could cost the golf industry up to $15 billion, according to reports.
Woods underwent a microdiscectomy to repair a pinched nerve in his back last month and while he is aiming to return in the summer, the break could be longer, depending on his rehabilitation.
“According to Brad Adgate, senior vice president and director of research for Horizon Media, a New York-based media services company, the 25-30 percent ratings drop we’re accustomed to seeing at Tiger-free events threatens to translate into similar percentage losses across the board,” reported Golf.com.
“Adgate and other analysts say it’s impossible to a put a precise price tag on Tiger’s absence. But if we do the math and arrive at a ballpark number in a golf industry valued at around $68.8 billion, it pencils out at roughly $15 billion.”
In-line with this idea is the fact that the Masters suffered it’s worst television ratings since 1957. Woods missed the Augusta event for the first time in two decades due to his surgery.
The ratings for the Masters are usually the highest for golf all year, but a massive 33% drop in ratings from last year’s tournament tells a different story.
While the lack of drama in the final round due to Bubba Watson extending his lead was also partly to blame, history shows that when Woods and fellow American Phil Mickelson are firing, so are the ratings.
Latest
-
Equipment
Miura targets wider market with hollow-bodied IC-602 irons
Miura are out to build on their existing market with new clubs that cast a slightly wider net in terms of player quality.
-
Videos
WATCH: Young woman steps up confidently to drive – and loses club behind her
Golf’s influencer girls can make it look easy.
-
Equipment
Pros give their verdict on Callaway Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X balls
Callaway staffers have now had a good period of time to get used to their new ball offerings, the Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X.
-
Videos
WATCH: 7 times the pros horribly fluffed their shots like the rest of us
Just when you think you have it all figured out.
-
Equipment
Collin Morikawa switches his putter again – and marvels at ‘incredible’ results
Collin Morikawa isn’t a professional who changes clubs lightly but he also isn’t averse to moving with the times.
-
Videos
WATCH: Kid pulls off unbelievable flop shot over his dad’s head
The flop shot is all about getting up and down with precision and this kid has it all.
-
Equipment
The clubs that helped Peter Malnati end his title drought at the Valspar Championship
Titleist staffer Peter Malnati ended his long wait for another championship at Innisbrookâs Copperhead Course.
-
Videos
WATCH: Amateur golfer takes hacking to a new level – leaving crowd in fits of laughter
Hackers are going to hack.