When the likes of great golfers David Leadbetter and Christina Kim join forces with the PGA, the LPGA and major golf manufacturers like Cobra, Puma, Titleist and FootJoy to get behind a new idea, you know something big is happening.
At this year’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, the emphasis was on creating a new beginning: Golf 2.0! Encouraging women, families and kids to take up golf, and bringing back golfers who left the game. (Read more.)
With this mission in mind a new multi-media entertainment network has been launched: Back9Network. It may be a bit of a challenge to those who view golf as a very traditional sport, but I think there is room for all points of view and if golf is to survive and grow, we have to open the doors and the opportunity to play the game to a wider and more diverse audience.
Here’s a blurb from their promotional materials and a look via a short video at what you can expect coming down the tenth fairway!:
Back9Network will be the first ever, premier multimedia lifestyle and entertainment network for golf fans globally. It is being constructed on a state-of-the-art, multi-platform digital system, providing simultaneous distribution over the TV, Internet and mobile devices. As much a lifestyle network as a sports channel, Back9 will differ from its competitors by focusing on the intrinsic “story” of the sport and examining the players and the world in which golf resides. Our goal is to change the culture of golf by bringing a new, hip and diverse audience to the game through our edgy programming.
Watch the Video of Back9Network PGA Show Launch.
What do you think? Is there room in golf for the Back9Network?
I’ve been pondering about writing my thoughts about the launching of the new back9network for a few weeks now, but decided to hold off a bit until I learn a little more and “see it in action”.
I watched a video of their programming options and my reactions ranged from interested to eye-rolls. One of my current “pet peeves” is the use of the word “change” – in their promotional materials they talk about changing golf. In my experience, when people hear the word change it’s more often than not associated with “not so good”. Or change can imply that what we have right now isn’t good, and I’m not sure that’s a message that’s positive either.
I think what we want, and what golf needs, is not necessarily to change but to strive to be better. We all like “better”!! Golf itself doesn’t need to change – it’s image and perception could use a little boosting, but I hesitate to think that core of the sport, which is a passion to me, needs to “change”.
I will be very interested to see how they do!
I think it will take a little more time to see how this new approach shakes out. Will be watching as it develops. Thanks for your insights.
Just checked out this tv channel… some great golf drills for women… with David Leadbetter and Karine Icher. Worth a look. Thanks for the reference.