For the majority of golfers who are never going to play the PGA Tour or take part in a Masters tournament, the next best thing would be allowed to commentate and call the action.
A lucky few get to do just that across the different broadcasts around the world and a number of announcers have made a name for themselves in doing so.
The likes of Johnson Wanger, Butch Harmon, Brandel Chamblee and more are now household names.
However, while the dream of being on the announce team for a Masters tournament is more of a possibility than playing in one, it doesn’t mean there aren’t strict rules set by the powers that be for those announcers.
The rules golf announcers have to follow at Augusta National
You wouldn’t normally think about certain phrases or words being banned from being said on air but it seems that Augusta National has some rules it likes the commentators to follow.
Indeed, revealing apparent banned phrases, Brandel Chamblee has explained that certain comments are very much a no-no.
“There are things you shouldn’t say. Fan is one of them. They think it refers to people as fanatical, which is why you hear Patron. You could say spectator,” Chamblee explained on the Fore Play podcast.
“You don’t say driving range, it’s tournament practice facility. You know the saying is ‘The Masters doesn’t begin till the back nine on Sunday’. But if you said back nine on the air, you would get reprimanded because it’s the second nine. Y
“You don’t want somebody to say ‘he’s playing the backside really’. Cos back nine is close to backside and backside is too colloquial”
Brandel Chamblee shares why Jim Nantz is so good at announcing The Masters
There’s been some legendary announcers and commentators over the years on the PGA Tour and one synonymous with some huge moments is Jim Nantz.
Nantz has made some of the most famous calls of all-time and speaking about his partner, Chamblee explained why Nantz is just so good.
“Look at Jim Nantz, maybe it was a few more words but ‘The bear has come out of hibernation’. You get these great calls by the likes of Nantz and others in history.
“They’re judicious in their word choice and it’s softer, slower, more reverent and I think that’s a big part of the reason why it’s one of the best golf tournaments of the year.”
Nantz is a world-renowned announcer and as well as golf, he is well known in the NFL sphere as well.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
