Five reasons why the European Tour is cooler than the PGA

**** Let’s get this out of the way now. I’m just as jingoistic as the next person. I play the patriot grip on all my clubs and my Titleist walking bag is red, white, and blue. So even though I root for the good ole’ USA in the Ryder cup, the European Tour is much cooler.

1.      Geography:

These aren’t just stops on the European tour, it’s a bucket list:

South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, India, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Malaysia, China, Korea Republic, Portugal, England, Wales, France, Scotland, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Netherlands, Austria, Singapore, Hong Kong.

2.     Broadcast:

I’ll take European tour coverage over PGA coverage any day of the week and twice on Sunday. For one, I’ll take a Renton, Dougie (Doo-gee), and a Julian over a Gary, Peter, and Johnny when the subject is golf. Their economy of speech, choice of phrases, and accents make their broadcasts as easy as afternoon tea. The American broadcast is simply poorer by default of being American. American broadcasts can be contrived, sometimes combative, and awkward as a result. European tour coverage is smooth, supportive, and much more pleasant to the viewer. One exception on the American side is David Feherty, who is both smart and funny as any broadcaster in the business.

3.     Style:

I must be getting old if the eighties are now considered retro.

4. Courses

Golf is not a good walk spoiled when it’s played on the links. If you seek imagination and creativity in your golf game, try a links course. If we had more of these types of courses in the states, more people would have fun. No target golf, just hit your ball walk and if you like you could easily use your putter the entire way. No moats to carry, island greens, barbed wire, or electrical fences to worry about. Yes, there is a “HELL” bunker on the Old Course, but let’s not be silly. Links golf is far superior than what we have in the states when it comes to playability.

5. Fans

Why is it that we can’t handle our booze? Watch any PGA broadcast and you will hear one of the following declarations from the crowd:

“YOU DA MAN!”

“GET IN THE HOLE!” and the latest…

“COME GET SOME!”

I’ve never heard a pro talk about playing in Europe and not talk about how knowledgeable the crowds are of the game of golf. So, instead, I prefer the polite golf clap customary in Europe thank you very much.