Is The Golf Channel worth it?

**Nacho_D/FW** · 11-21-2005

I am thinking of ditching my "rabbit ears" and getting some type of TV broadband. I have researched between Satellite and Cable and although satellite is cheaper, Comcast cable offers the Golf Channel for their basic package. So, now I am stuck. Is the Golf Channel worth it? Do ya'll subscribe to it? If so, what type of content do they show? I mainly would watch it late in the evening between 10pm-midnight, and then on the weekends. Do they keep replaying previous tournaments over and over or do they have fresh content and good tips? I would really like it to be composed of alot of tips since I watch enuff tournaments on Sunday afternoons.

But anyways, let me know what ya'll think of it.

Thanks.

**+to0to-** · 11-21-2005

Originally Posted by Nacho_D/FW

I am thinking of ditching my "rabbit ears" and getting some type of TV broadband. I have researched between Satellite and Cable and although satellite is cheaper, Comcast cable offers the Golf Channel for their basic package. So, now I am stuck. Is the Golf Channel worth it? Do ya'll subscribe to it? If so, what type of content do they show? I mainly would watch it late in the evening between 10pm-midnight, and then on the weekends. Do they keep replaying previous tournaments over and over or do they have fresh content and good tips? I would really like it to be composed of alot of tips since I watch enuff tournaments on Sunday afternoons.

But anyways, let me know what ya'll think of it.

Thanks.

To me, its worth it. The main draw for me is their coverage of the Tours that dont get exposure in the networks (Nationwide, Champions, some LPGA events, European). They have good lesson sessions from top 100 instructors. Go for it !!!!!

**theidioticbizarre** · 11-21-2005

i'm in the UK and i get it for free, and it's a good job too. there are a load of tips, they're always playing tips. the only problem is in the UK we always get old interviews and old tournaments e.g. back from 2002 etc. the big break is a good show and golf central but that's it (except for the tips). it's good but i suppose in america it is even better. over here they don't stick to the schedule at all, it says it's meant to be big break and it's like the 2001 Womens Kelloggs Open or something...

**The master** · 11-21-2005

Originally Posted by theidioticbizarre

i'm in the UK and i get it for free, and it's a good job too. there are a load of tips, they're always playing tips. the only problem is in the UK we always get old interviews and old tournaments e.g. back from 2002 etc. the big break is a good show and golf central but that's it (except for the tips). it's good but i suppose in america it is even better. over here they don't stick to the schedule at all, it says it's meant to be big break and it's like the 2001 Womens Kelloggs Open or something...

Very true... and there still showing the momentos and swing jacket; 4 hours every day, which gets boring.

I agree with TIB that the only good shows are the tips, big break, golf central, and you can't forget playing lessons from the pros.

**shooter mcgavin** · 11-21-2005

I agree with the above, Id say its worth it, but as mentioned, they dont always follow the program guide, and there are a TON of repeats. What really angers me is The Big Break, and how they'll say its a new episode coming up, only to find that its just a collection of highlights from previous shows. This happened last week. Besides all that, it seems like they are still trying hard to improve as a fairly young channel, and if you really love golf, what else you gonna watch??

**wei_c25** · 11-21-2005

I think its worth it, but I never watch it live. I Tivo all the Golf Channel Academy shows (30 minute golf lessons from top instructors - Jim Flick, Dave Pelz, Jim McClean, Dean Riemuth) and Playing Lessons From the Pros (you watch as a pro plays a course and he gives little tips and talks about his career).

Watching these shows is like have a series of lessons from your local golf pro, so I think it's worth it. There are a ton of repeats, which is why Tivo is great because you just skip over and erase the repeats.

Beyond that I haven't really caught on to any of the other shows on there, its pretty thin offerings beyond that in my view, though I personally don't really get interested in the Nationwide tour or Champions tour, and even though I tried to watch, the Big Break was pretty boring to me. I'm sure there are probably other shows I might like, but you have to fish through all the other so so stuff.

**Tommysels41** · 11-21-2005

I think it's definitely worth it. There are so many lesson shows and don't forget the Big Break. It's the best show on all of TV. I seriously reccomend it, they also show all the Nationwide, European, Champions, and LPGA Tour events.

**Benguk** · 11-21-2005

I agree with all the above. TGC is the best channel, though they show lots of informercials. All the shows are great, buy it. I have digital cabel and ordered it for 3 bucks and got 10 sports channels. TGW IS WORTH IT!

**avcguy** · 11-21-2005

Definately worth it. I need 2 channels, FOX news and The Golf Channel. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just chose the channels we want and pay for those only.
Big Break ticks me off too with their "all new episode", that is twice this season already.
I have watched may more LPGA then ever before now also, and that is not a waste of time these day. Don't forget the new Natalie Gulbis show by the way.

**rtex** · 11-21-2005

I think it's worth it. I love the playing lessons from the pros (has helped my game). Big Break is the only show I stop down to watch except football. But they got me too with the claim of a new episode last week (what a beating). Also enjoy being able to watch the other tours, and overseas events at odd hours of the day (early morning to late at night).

**Res Ipsa** · 11-21-2005

Originally Posted by rtex

I think it's worth it. I love the playing lessons from the pros (has helped my game). Big Break is the only show I stop down to watch except football. But they got me too with the claim of a new episode last week (what a beating). Also enjoy being able to watch the other tours, and overseas events at odd hours of the day (early morning to late at night).

First off Golf channel is pretty good and I agree w/ nearly everything said previously.

That big break repeat got me in some serious trouble with my wife. I asked her to record it for me (no tivo). So I get home late all ready to watch it and its a clip show. So I think my wife recorded the episode before the "advertised" new episode. So I get a little nasty about how she recorded the wrong one and how I was all set to watch it. SO she gets back in my face that she did exactly what I asked her to do. Long story short I go look up what was played on the internet and I have to apologize to my wife who then got really pissed that I got mad over nothing. Man what an a$$ I am.

**Nacho_D/FW** · 11-21-2005

Wow. Thanks for all the replies. So, I guess the answer is pretty clear. Get the Golf Channel, ignore the Big Breaks, and record as many tips as possible so while I'm sitting on my couch this winter going thru withdrawl, I at least can do something productive.

Thanks everyone!

**Horseballs** · 11-22-2005

Originally Posted by Nacho_D/FW

Wow. Thanks for all the replies. So, I guess the answer is pretty clear. Get the Golf Channel, ignore the Big Breaks, and record as many tips as possible so while I'm sitting on my couch this winter going thru withdrawl, I at least can do something productive.

Thanks everyone!

Yeah, it's a pretty good channel. I'm not a huge fan of all the lesson shows, though. Pelz and Leadbetter's teaching (and talking) styles irritate the piss out of me. The "in studio" lessons are pretty boring to me as well. Playing Lessons is a quality program, as others have mentioned.
The best part for me is the Euro Tour coverage. I find it to be generally better TV than the US tourneys on the major networks. Their commentators are better, the player interviews actually have substance, they seem to show more full shots, etc.
Enjoy!
Aren't you in Dallas? You don't know the meaning of winter withdrawal that some of your nothern forum members are in for. Even when we get the odd sunny warm February or early March day, the turf is often too saturated to play on.
There's alway Golden Tee!

**shooter mcgavin** · 11-22-2005

Originally Posted by Nacho_D/FW

Wow. Thanks for all the replies. So, I guess the answer is pretty clear. Get the Golf Channel, ignore the Big Breaks, and record as many tips as possible so while I'm sitting on my couch this winter going thru withdrawl, I at least can do something productive.

Thanks everyone!

Yeah you think you have winter, but you don't. Take it from someone in Chicago! Seriously, though, you dont have to ignore bigbreak, just understand that a "new" episode is actually shown every other week.

**Horseballs** · 11-22-2005

Originally Posted by shooter mcgavin

Yeah you think you have winter, but you don't. Take it from someone in Chicago! Seriously, though, you dont have to ignore bigbreak, just understand that a "new" episode is actually shown every other week.

Chicago's a raw deal in the winter.
Agreed. Although I don't watch a lot of Big Break, it seems like an alright show. What is NOT an alright show is Big Break: All Access. That is a waste of airtime. Does anyone actually care about the production of Big Break? I get it, it's tough to produce the show. Do they have to cram it down our throats? In it's place, why don't they just have Valeria prancing around in a bikini for an hour?

**rtex** · 11-22-2005

Originally Posted by Horseballs

Chicago's a raw deal in the winter.
Agreed. Although I don't watch a lot of Big Break, it seems like an alright show. What is NOT an alright show is Big Break: All Access. That is a waste of airtime. Does anyone actually care about the production of Big Break? I get it, it's tough to produce the show. Do they have to cram it down our throats? In it's place, why don't they just have Valeria prancing around in a bikini for an hour?

I live in the Dallas area and play year round. Just the occasional really cold day. I like it because the fairways get brown and hard (not much rain) and the ball rolls forever (220 drives turn to 300 yards easy). Some courses over seed but not many. Also there's quite a few professional players living around here so it can't be to harsh. Agree about Big Break, who cares about behind the scenes, except when Valeria's on. When the Ladies were playing (BB III) my wife asked me if I thought the blonde one was hot (the winner, can't remember her name). I said no but that one from South America is.

**Nacho_D/FW** · 11-22-2005

Originally Posted by rtex

I live in the Dallas area and play year round. Just the occasional really cold day. I like it because the fairways get brown and hard (not much rain) and the ball rolls forever (220 drives turn to 300 yards easy). Some courses over seed but not many. Also there's quite a few professional players living around here so it can't be to harsh. Agree about Big Break, who cares about behind the scenes, except when Valeria's on. When the Ladies were playing (BB III) my wife asked me if I thought the blonde one was hot (the winner, can't remember her name). I said no but that one from South America is.

hey man, if u live in D/FW, send me an email. I know that ce_me and wirehair have responded and we are gonna try and put something together in the next few weeks.

carlosthebull@gmail.com

**rtex** · 11-22-2005

Originally Posted by Nacho_D/FW

hey man, if u live in D/FW, send me an email. I know that ce_me and wirehair have responded and we are gonna try and put something together in the next few weeks.

carlosthebull@gmail.com

Sounds good.

**Scott777** · 11-26-2005

no one knows winter like a Canadian. Up here, we have more months of snow than we do of golf

**Guru2** · 12-01-2005

Of course the golf channel is worth it.TGC is the only major network that carries BOTH of Peter Jacobson's shows.And that Frank Thomas,he sure knows his stuff,any "technical" problem you have he knows what to do--go out and spend money on brand name equipment.I did not know who Brock Savage was before I watched TGC,now I know.And all those Cialis ads,you know the ones,the guy and the woman-taking baths,dancing on docks or just walking hand in hand on the beach.I don't know exactly whay that stuff does,but it seems like a waste of time showing it on TGC,since most of us leave our woman alone for hours on end while we pursue our golf.TGC has the best announcer team in the business--Renton Laidlaw and that other guy.Gotta go-- there is a show on TGC I have not seen,an infomercial on the Swingmaster 2000.

**Horseballs** · 12-01-2005

Originally Posted by Guru2

Of course the golf channel is worth it.TGC is the only major network that carries BOTH of Peter Jacobson's shows.And that Frank Thomas,he sure knows his stuff,any "technical" problem you have he knows what to do--go out and spend money on brand name equipment.I did not know who Brock Savage was before I watched TGC,now I know.And all those Cialis ads,you know the ones,the guy and the woman-taking baths,dancing on docks or just walking hand in hand on the beach.I don't know exactly whay that stuff does,but it seems like a waste of time showing it on TGC,since most of us leave our woman alone for hours on end while we pursue our golf.TGC has the best announcer team in the business--Renton Laidlaw and that other guy.Gotta go-- there is a show on TGC I have not seen,an infomercial on the Swingmaster 2000.

That's hilarious!!
Their ads are definitely catered to the erectile dysfunctional, Cadillac driving, ionic bracelet wearing crowd. I also think Frank Thomas is a waste of time. It doesn't matter what technical question he gets; the answer is always the same. I'm starting to think he has early onset Alzheimer's working for him.

Kelly Tilghman - "Frank, a reader wants to know what 'bounce' means and how it relates to bunker play."
Frank - "Everyone should buy hybrids to replace their 2 through 9 irons."
Kelly - "WTF?"
Frank - "I sometimes pee my pants..."
Kelly - "huh?"
And so on...

**Brent Nadeau** · 12-01-2005

Some of the repeated Shell's World of Golf matches are cool (I am getting sick of the Couples/Cambpell match though...even if Freddie is one of my favorite golfers). The review of past majors is nice when you catch it, but the best thing I've seen on there so far is the Natalie Gulbis show...she's no Pam Anderson, but she's no dog either...

**Nacho_D/FW** · 12-01-2005

I never had any idea who Natalie Gulbis was....Then, a couple weeks ago, my buddy told me of this show on TGC that featured her in a swimsuit catalog..Anyway, I googled her, and to put it mildly, my wife is still walking with a slight limp

Pam Anderson = OUT
Natalie G. = IN IN IN

**lloyd_christmas2** · 12-01-2005

Originally Posted by Nacho_D/FW

I never had any idea who Natalie Gulbis was....Then, a couple weeks ago, my buddy told me of this show on TGC that featured her in a swimsuit catalog..Anyway, I googled her, and to put it mildly, my wife is still walking with a slight limp

Pam Anderson = OUT
Natalie G. = IN IN IN

Dude, you should definitely avoid watching her show on TGC. 5 minutes of watching her interact with other people, listenting to what she has to say, and hearing her voice will kill anything you had for her...

**Brent Nadeau** · 12-01-2005

Originally Posted by lloyd_christmas2

Dude, you should definitely avoid watching her show on TGC. 5 minutes of watching her interact with other people, listenting to what she has to say, and hearing her voice will kill anything you had for her...

Which is exactly why I put the TV on mute and pplayed some guitar during the whole show...and no, that is not a euphemism for masturbating...

**Horseballs** · 12-01-2005

Hmmm. I'm intrigued by this Gulbis show. I'll have to sic Tivo on that. Maybe they can get her and Paula Creamer to kiss?
A joke I heard on the radio this morning...

Two co-ed roommates were in the shower. Julie says to Karen, "Why do you have a rug burn in the shape of an "I" on your chest?"
Karen says, "My boyfriend goes to Iowa and likes to do it with his varsity sweater on."
A couple weeks later, they're back in the shower when Julie notices, "Now why do have an "O" on your chest?"
Karen says, "My new boyfriend goes to Ohio State."
The next week Julie notices an "M" on Karen's chest and says, "Let me guess. Your new boyfriend goes to Michigan."
Karen says, "No, but my girlfriend goes to Wisconsin."

**Brent Nadeau** · 12-01-2005

Originally Posted by Nacho_D/FW

I never had any idea who Natalie Gulbis was....Then, a couple weeks ago, my buddy told me of this show on TGC that featured her in a swimsuit catalog..Anyway, I googled her, and to put it mildly, my wife is still walking with a slight limp

Pam Anderson = OUT
Natalie G. = IN IN IN

Being a fellow canuck, I have to have some sentimentality for Pam, although the excess bagage that come with her is disconcerting...in hind-sight, perhaps Estelle Warren or Gabriella Reese (I know she isn't Canadian, but who cares...we can't all be perfect) would have been a better choice...either of whom are infintely hotter than Gulbis who, as was recently pointed out, is as annoying as all hell when you have to actually listen to her.

**hoopdaddy000** · 12-03-2005

I have the Golf channel and I think that it's well worth it. The tournaments are not all that great but when it comes to instruction you can't beat it. I've picked up so many tips from watching the top instructors in the game. It's as close as we weekend hackers may ever get to having a lesson from the guys who teach the pros. There's Golf Academy, Playing Lessons From The Pros, Golf Academy Live, etc. Then there's Golf Central to keep you abreast of what's happening on each of the Pro Tours. I watch the channel often during the week when there's no other golf to watch.

**Res Ipsa** · 12-03-2005

Originally Posted by Brent Nadeau

Being a fellow canuck, I have to have some sentimentality for Pam, although the excess bagage that come with her is disconcerting...in hind-sight, perhaps Estelle Warren or Gabriella Reese (I know she isn't Canadian, but who cares...we can't all be perfect) would have been a better choice...either of whom are infintely hotter than Gulbis who, as was recently pointed out, is as annoying as all hell when you have to actually listen to her.

Nat G's picture should be in the dictionary under the definition of BUTTER FACE. She is only considered hot when you compare to the stable of cows on the LPGA (granted they are not all ug but a great majority are).

**golfaholic** · 12-09-2005

Kelly Tilghman - "Frank, a reader wants to know what 'bounce' means and how it relates to bunker play."
Frank - "Everyone should buy hybrids to replace their 2 through 9 irons."
Kelly - "WTF?"
Frank - "I sometimes pee my pants..."
Kelly - "huh?"
And so on...[/QUOTE]

That is the funniest thing i have read in a while..