Ladies and gentlemen, we have found the human equivalent of a glass hammer. A marshall holding a quiet sign in front of the crowd while music blares across the golf course at LIV Golf UK.
Correction, the sign said “zip it” once again underlining LIV’s burning desire to be different. But some of the differences they have made to professional golf might just work.
More player interaction, different crowd engagements, a festival atmosphere, some great and some not so great music. Yeah, one can see the appeal.
For the first two practice days the pumping music just seemed weird and off-putting. but as soon as a healthy crowd poured through the turnstiles on Friday morning at JCB Golf and Country Club, there was a point where you could see how it worked.
LIV’s mantra is golf but louder. At times it verges on trying to be too heavy metal when most of the crowd have brought their pillows.
A huge crowd lined the back of the driving range to watch the stars complete their warm ups before the shot gun start. For a moment I felt like I was back at Croke Park ready to watch Meath spank Galway again as the PA called for all fans and non official staff to make their way off the range as tee off time came close.
On the range was the pumping music, but it didn’t look out of place. When you attend other sporting events the warm ups are usually done to an array of tracks, especially at the Aviva Stadium where you can’t hear yourself think over the sound of Enter Sandmen by Metallica for a nonsense friendly vs Oman.
The players go their separate ways with about fifteen minutes to go before the shotgun start and then the suspense builds.
Fans and officials alike scatter and the range isn’t quite eerily quiet because the speakers are still pumping but it is remarkable to see a driving range completely empty on a tournament day.
Then it’s about choosing your starting position, the countdown begins. A ticking clock echoes around the golf course and as five past one approaches the shotgun sounds… or doesn’t. It was inaudible from the tenth tee which I have to say was very disappointing.
Speaking of trying to be too heavy metal and too different. The first tee announcer for Jon Rahm’s group just doesn’t cut the mustard.
It’s far too Wrestlemania for me. The fact that this over dramatic announcement of Rahm was met with a few claps and some half hearted woos says it all.
Nevertheless, we are off the mark.
Despite the strong attendance you can still get within touching distance of Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Tyrrell Hatton and co. Advantages you wouldn’t enjoy at most PGA Tour events or major championships.
The players are also much more relaxed and are more engaging with the crowd. Graeme McDowell hit one of the worst wedge shots you’ll ever see into a green side bunker and followed that with a knifed bunker shot over the creek and onto a downslope above the hazard.
You’d have forgiven him for running hot but he laughed it off and as he walked to his ball, he laughed to the handful of people by the creek: “walk of shame boys walk of shame.”
He then played one of the best recovery shots you will ever see. “That would have been the greatest par of my life!” he laughed.
A nice moment, better than the stereotypical wave and tip of the cap.
On the LIV playlist on day one were Fleetwood Mac on the 15th, Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen, Livin on a prayer, Sam Fender was also a popular number throughout the golf course.
Chelsea dagger and Kasabian’s LSF also got the thumbs up from this writer but the 14th tee is where it’s at.
Human League’s Don’t you want me and Erasure’s A little respect were belters as Tom McKibbin putted out on the 13th green before walking to the 14th – party hole.
People can accuse LIV Golf of being gimmicky but there is nothing gimmicky about having a party hole or as they are traditionally known as; stadium holes. WM Phoenix Open, LIV Adelaide and the Genesis Scottish Open have used one to great effect.
This is where things get interesting. It is quite a scene with a tee grandstand and a green grandstand perched beside a Stingers GC bar. The players walk through a tunnel with smoke and the whole nine yards from the 13th green to the 14th tee.
But here is where LIV loses me. The on tee announcer. It’s the 14th tee love.
What is amazing is that the announcer calls the players on the 14th tee. Fair enough. But what is baffling is that she – with the same gusto – notifies the crowd of the next group who are still on the 13th green. What on earth is the point in that?
Don’t get me started on when the players leaving the party hole green have their names called out.
Then we get to the glass hammer.
Now in fairness the “zip it” sign could have been in retaliation to whoever chose the set list on the 14th tee as Sergio Garcia struck his approach with one of the worst songs known to man in the background.
McKibbin played off to Macklemore, Ceiling Can’t Hold Us, solid.
But holding a sign to alert the crowd to be quiet when there is music pumping at almost burst ear drum level is the definition of jobsworth. A wonderful irony.
All in all, the party hole works and is very much on brand with what LIV are trying to do which is attract younger people.
And this is reflected in the crowd interactions, rather than players be clapped on to every green fans feel more encouraged to attempt to engage in witty banter with the players or shout one liners. Again, no problem here. Some of it’s funny, some not, its par for the course – pardon the pun.
The shot gun start offers the chance for fans to see all of their favourite players at the one time given the limited field. It’s a bit of a nightmare if you are media and it will be interesting to see how it plays out on Sunday when the title is on the line.
The post round car park was like trying to get out after mass. Chocka!
Given it is my first LIV event I am intrigued to see if the shotgun start creates the crescendo that LIV are trying to strike or will it just feel too scattered and messy if someone finishing on the fourth hole wins?
Returning to the driving range, amidst the festival atmosphere, we still have some who can’t get into the party.
Namely former Irish Open champion John Catlin, Ollie Schneiderjans and Luis Maseveu. Three LIV reserves who have the freedom of the practice areas to work on their game after being surplus to requirements this week.
These are the players who are drafted in if a LIV team member is unable to play, but on this occasion nobody wants them and boy did they show it.
On a tour where everyone is supposed to be playing together and at the same time, three players have never looked more alone.
Day one had plenty of pros and of course some cons. But it is clear to see what LIV are trying to do.
