I had my first chance to attend a LIV Golf event yesterday at LIV Golf Orlando. I had a media credential for the week, but because of some conflicts could only participate on Sunday. I wanted to know what I would see and think leading up to the tournament. Allow me to share my feedback and opinion.
Few things in life are so down the line that most people either hate or love them. LIV Golf is definitely in that category, but I feel the love isn’t nearly as strong as the hate. The best comparison that comes to mind is former President Donald Trump. There is no middle ground with Trump, and people are incredibly passionate on both sides of the fence. With LIV Golf, it’s much the same, except the passion on the AGAINST far outweighs the passion on the PRO side of the house.
Easy Access
Let’s start with the positives, and there are several. Walking the golf course, the experience was very intimate. You could quickly get close to the action and find spots to look closely at the players. Maybe a little too close. One media member had a shot from Bryson DeChambeau go off his hip, which Bryson could get up and down, saving par successfully. Bryson was very appreciative and happy to share a signed glove. The same couldn’t be said for Sergio Garcia. He hit a young fan in the chest with an approach shot and didn’t even acknowledge him.
Very Kid Friendly
One of my favorite things about the event was the kid’s village LIV Golf had set up behind the 9th and 18th holes. They had a ton of free activities to engage with kids where they could win prizes. They also had free face painting and a LIV Golf Tattoo parlor where you could get a free air-brushed tattoo with the LIV team logo of your choice. Any kid 15 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Festival Atmosphere
Overall, there was more of a festival than a golf tournament atmosphere. The concert stage, the food trucks, and the music all give you a bit of a county fair vibe. Who doesn’t love a good county fair? Throughout the day, I did see several patrons walking wearing team-specific gear, and in the merchandise tent, all of the Range Goats gear was sold out. The black and pink colorway and goat logo seem a fan favorite.
Great Golf
You had 48 great golfers, including some of the best in the world, playing a track that’s easily accessible to anyone. Being an Orlando resident and a golf writer, people always ask me, “Where should I play in Orlando?” My first response is always Orange County National. It’s the best bang for your buck in town, hands down.
Younger Vibe
The event had a younger vibe than your typical PGA Tour event. Lots of young families, which is excellent for the game. It wasn’t a drunk fest or anything like that, but in general, there was a relaxed vibe with lots of people walking around enjoying themselves.
Things I Didn’t Like
First off, the merchandise. Everything was overpriced. If you wanted a tee shirt, $40. If you wanted a hat, $40. If you wanted a golf shirt, $100. There wasn’t a large selection of apparel and no prominent brand names like GFORE or Peter Millar. I would have loved to see friendly pricing, particularly with LIV Golf still in its infancy.
The fact that no sponsors were around. One of the fun things about going to a tournament is getting freebies from the sponsors. Since the number of sponsors for LIV Golf is minimal, there is virtually no swag, no chance to hit a hole-in-one on the simulator to win a car, etc. You know what I’m talking about if you’ve been to a PGA Tour event.
Rob’s Take
First, I don’t hold a grudge against any professional golfers joining LIV Golf. Members of the PGA Tour owe these players a debt of gratitude. Without the defection to LIV, I doubt you would have seen the introduction of elevated PGA Tour events and increased prize purses.
Second, I don’t think LIV Golf should target golf-rich locations like Orlando. We’re spoiled here in Central Florida. In the past month, within 100 miles of my house, I had access to The Players Championship (TPC Sawgrass), Arnold Palmer Invitational (Bay Hill Club & Lodge), and The Valspar (Innisbrook).
I would recommend LIV Golf focus on areas that don’t have regular PGA Tour events. For example, my hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia, would be ideal for hosting a LIV Golf event. Find locations in the United States where fans are thirsty for professional golf.
I love the team aspect. My daughter grew up playing PGA Junior League golf, which focuses on Team Golf; kids love it. The kids wear jerseys and are always on the course with a teammate. So, I love that LIV Golf is trying to incorporate a team aspect. If you love golf and watching professional golf, I encourage you to check out a LIV Golf event and decide for yourself. The chances are high you’ll enjoy yourself!