Finally A Birdie For The PGA With Social Media

For 13 years, the PGA Tour was a bit like the Facebook of sports. Not because it was innovative or cutting-edge—hell, it wouldn’t even allow you to enter with your cell phone to one of its events—but because it had Tiger Woods, who for the most part of those 13 years was about as powerful and influential as Facebook is today. To attract new fans, the PGA now allows you to bring in your cell phone, as long as it’s on mute or vibrate—kind of a no-brainer! The golfers and the old guard will talk about how distracting it is with people possibly holding their cell phones in their hands. Yes, even when we go to a theater, even though we’re reminded to turn off our phones, one never-the-less goes off. Yes, it will happen! Someone will be in the middle of their backswing, and some idiot’s cell phone will go off. I’ll place a bet that the phone that goes off is some old Nokia phone that can’t even receive texts. Here is why this is a good policy! I want to check-in. As I’m a fan, it has to be a little bit about me, and there is nothing to make your friends envious other than a foursquare check-in to someplace excellent.  Not only that, but the Tour gets the mention, and the jealous person may want to go the next day! Facebook Post: Don’t we want to take a pic with our phone of Dustin Johnson or Tiger Woods practicing at the putting green and post it to your Facebook?  Once again, look at what you’re missing.  And if it bothers Tiger, a smartphone is much easier for Steve Williams to toss than a professional photographer’s camera. Tweet: Tweet, tweet, birdies are great on the golf course. Why not tweets?  Talk about accurate time scoring. It would be best if you allowed your fan base to feel like they’re part of the event and spread the message of all the fun they’re having. The last major sporting event I attended was the BCS National Championship a couple of weeks ago. Smartphones were everywhere and played a significant role in many fans’ lives.  Being a Duck and having so many friends who attended the game, Facebook walls were littered with what was going on for all the friends back home. The bothersome aspect was that so much social media was taking place that I had problems accessing mine. AT & T was very frustrated! While some will say that Football and Golf are two different sports, they do compete for the same dollar and the same fans. Face it, fans are social. As an avid golfer and a big fan of the tour, I’m glad to see this Tour and can’t wait to attend an event!