Justin Thomas's Memo

🗣️ Hello Friends,

Yesterday morning, it was reported that Justin Thomas sent a memo to his fellow PGA Tour competitors about how players can help enhance the TV production for fans. 

This has been an ongoing discussion topic in the golf community for years now. 

In today’s newsletter, we will cover:

• What did JT say in his memo?

• What I disagree with JT on?

• Will players follow suit?

What did JT say in his memo?

Justin Thomas is one of the biggest names in the professional golf landscape. He is also one of the most popular players with the younger fans. 

Long story short, JT wrote a memo to the rest of the players about being willing to work with the PGA Tour’s broadcast partners. It should be noted that JT is a part of the Tournament, Fans & Sponsors PAC subcommittee. 

Here is an excerpt on what JT is asking the players to consider to improve broadcasts:

The TV networks such as ESPN, NBC and CBS have felt pressure from fans to find ways to improve their broadcasts. They have been ridiculed for too many commercials and lack of showing enough shots throughout the years.

The networks have increased the amount of quick player in-round interviews during the broadcast. However, JT is hoping for more player willingness to help improve the entertainment value of the broadcast.

What did I disagree with JT on?

JT mentioned that he would like players to be more open to interviews during the round and be mic’d up during events so, for example, we can hear conversations with their caddies.

I think this type of content is really engaging and intriguing for fans to see. However, I don’t think doing even more of that on the broadcast will enhance the fan experience. 

I believe this type of content and behind the scenes footage from players is better in a TV/YouTube series like the mini documentary they did for Scottie Scheffler’s remarkable 2024 year. 

We have seen the success of Full Swing, Netflix’s behind the scene series of the PGA Tour,  has had on players' brands on and off the golf course, like Joel Dahmen and Sahith Theegala for example.

One of the reasons why Bryson is so popular with his social media content is because of the behind the scenes he is giving fans to his life off the golf course. 

Why do you think influencers and content creators on social media post vlogs of their life? Because fans love seeing the behind the scenes.

Justin Thomas even mentioned in his memo that he enjoys this type of content:

I agree with JT that the players should be more willing to help these broadcasts, as people should enjoy these short, snippet interviews. However, I think there needs to be a healthy balance between the golf and the interviews, because too many interviews would saturate the broadcast as a whole.

At the end of the day, golf fans want to see more shots from these talented professionals and less commercials. The industry of sports gambling is rapidly growing by the second, and the PGA Tour has been behind the 8-ball in embracing this movement. Fans and gamblers want to see as many shots as possible on these broadcasts.

Will players follow suit?

It’s no secret that players know that they should be more willing to help improve the TV product. 

However, I think part of the reluctance of doing so is being thrown off during their round. 

As much of a dream it would be for the majority of us to be able to play on the PGA Tour, these players grind to make cuts week after week so they make a living to support their family. 

Their primary job isn’t to be entertainers, they are out there mainly because it’s their job. 

The counter argument to all of this is that you can improve your brand and value off the course from the TV broadcasts. 

As I stated before, there’s a balance that needs to be figured out from the TV networks and how players handle their entertainment value on the golf course and how they can maximize it off the golf course. 

It will be interesting to see how players react to JT’s memo for this season and beyond. 

Here is JT’s full memo:

Talk soon!