figure recorded in 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n\tWe also asked golfers whether they would miss LIV Golf if it disappeared, and only 5% said they would.<\/p>\n
\tAlthough LIV continues to generate headlines within professional golf, our survey suggests it has yet to become an essential viewing habit for the majority of regular golfers.<\/p>\n
\tYouTube continues to grow as a golf destination<\/p>\n
\tTraditional television remains important, but YouTube continues to strengthen its position as one of golf\u2019s biggest media platforms.<\/p>\n
\tAlmost 90% of golfers under the age of 45 said they watch golf content on YouTube, while around 70% of those aged 45\u201354 also regularly use the platform.<\/p>\n
\tThe survey also points to growing interest among older golfers, with increasing numbers of golfers aged 55 and over now turning to YouTube for golf content alongside traditional television coverage.<\/p>\n
\tThe changing way golfers consume golf<\/p>\n
\t![\"Golf](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/british-masters-walton-heath-kd_fmnjhm.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\tThe findings paint an interesting picture of how golfers now consume professional golf. Traditional tournament coverage remains hugely popular, but your comments reveal growing frustration with the modern viewing experience.<\/p>\n
\tGolf fans increasingly feel that watching professional golf has become fragmented. Rights are spread across multiple broadcasters and streaming platforms, access often sits behind expensive subscriptions and live coverage is punctuated by frequent commercial breaks.<\/p>\n
\tMany of you also feel that broadcasters focus too heavily on star players, meaning viewers miss much of the tournament unfolding elsewhere on the course.<\/p>\n
\tNone of these challenges is unique to golf. Broadcasters invest significant sums to secure media rights, and advertising and subscription revenue are fundamental to recovering those costs. However, the survey suggests many golfers believe the balance has shifted too far away from the viewing experience.<\/p>\n
\tPerhaps that is one reason YouTube continues to grow. Unlike traditional television, it gives golfers complete control over what they watch, when they watch and how long they spend watching.<\/p>\n
\tThe survey does not suggest YouTube is replacing live tournament golf. Instead, it appears to be filling gaps left by traditional broadcasting, offering greater choice, more personalities and on-demand viewing that complements live tournament coverage rather than competing with it.<\/p>\n
\tSo what would make golfers watch more?<\/p>\n
\tWe asked one simple question:<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cWhat would make golf better to watch on TV?\u201d<\/p>\n
\tSeveral clear themes emerged.<\/p>\n
\t1. Make it easier to watch<\/p>\n
\tThe most common response was about access. Golfers repeatedly said they wanted tournaments to be easier and cheaper to watch, particularly the biggest events.<\/p>\n
\tTypical comments included:<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cIf it was cheaper or free to air.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cAvailability, especially the Majors, which should be on free-to-air services.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cTerrestrial coverage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cFree access.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tWhile some praised Sky\u2019s production, many felt the sport would benefit from wider free-to-air coverage that helps grow the game and allows casual fans to watch the biggest events.<\/p>\n
\t2. Less interruption, more golf<\/p>\n
\tAdvertising was one of the most consistent frustrations.<\/p>\n
\tGolf is already a long broadcast, and viewers do not want to miss key moments because of commercial breaks.<\/p>\n
\tComments included:<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cNo adverts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cFewer adverts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cMore live golf and far fewer adverts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cFewer adverts, especially on American broadcasts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tFor many golfers, improving the viewing experience starts simply with showing more golf and fewer interruptions.<\/p>\n
\t3. Show more of the field<\/p>\n
\tAnother common criticism was that broadcasters focus too heavily on a handful of players.<\/p>\n
\tViewers want to follow the tournament as a whole rather than repeatedly returning to the biggest names or featured groups.<\/p>\n
\tRepresentative comments included:<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cShow more golfers, not just the top players.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cMore coverage of the whole field, not just the leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cStop focusing on featured groups who often aren\u2019t playing well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cLess analysis and more shots.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tGolf fans clearly want a better sense of the tournament story, not just the headline acts.<\/p>\n
\t4. Speed the game up<\/p>\n
\tSome of you pointed out that television can only do so much if professional golf itself remains slow.<\/p>\n
\tCalls for quicker play appeared throughout the survey.<\/p>\n
\tComments included:<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cFaster speed of play.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cClamp down on slow play.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cImprove the pace of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cFewer slow players.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cQuicker rounds. It is ridiculous that two-ball games take five hours.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tRather than changing the broadcast, these golfers believe improving the pace of play would naturally make tournaments more engaging to watch.<\/p>\n
\t5. Show more golf shots and fewer putts<\/p>\n
\tViewers also want broadcasters to spend less time on putting greens and more time following shots around the course.<\/p>\n
\tMany respondents felt too much airtime is devoted to routine putts, while some of the most interesting parts of the game happen elsewhere.<\/p>\n
\tComments included:<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cMore shots rather than putts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cFollow players rather than showing only tee shots and putting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\u201cLess emphasis on putting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tFor these golfers, the excitement comes from recovery shots, approaches, long irons and creative play – not endless footage on the greens.<\/p>\n
\tGolfers also offered practical ideas<\/p>\n
\tAlongside the frustrations, respondents suggested several ways broadcasters could improve the viewing experience.<\/p>\n
\tMany would like more flexible viewing, including shorter highlights programmes, better access to tournaments beyond the biggest events and broader coverage across the men\u2019s and women\u2019s professional tours.<\/p>\n
\tOthers felt television production could be enhanced through improved camera angles, better ball-tracing technology and graphics that make it easier to follow the action.<\/p>\n
\tFinally, golfers said they would welcome more insight into the game itself. Rather than additional studio discussion, they wanted broadcasters to explain club selection, strategy, course management, yardages, caddie conversations and the tactical decisions that help viewers understand what the world\u2019s best players are thinking.<\/p>\n
\tThe conclusion<\/p>\n
\tOur survey suggests the appetite for watching professional golf remains as strong as ever. More than half of golfers still watch tournament golf every week, attend live events in large numbers and increasingly consume golf content across multiple platforms.<\/p>\n
\tBut the way they want to watch is changing. Golfers want coverage that is easier to access, interrupted less often and gives them a better view of the tournament as a whole.<\/p>\n
\tThey also want greater flexibility over when and how they consume golf, helping to explain why YouTube continues to grow alongside traditional television rather than replacing it.<\/p>\n
\tFor broadcasters, that is both the challenge and the opportunity. The audience for professional golf is still there, but expectations are changing.<\/p>\n
\tGolfers increasingly want viewing that is flexible, accessible and built around them. Those who can deliver that experience are likely to win the next generation of golf fans.<\/p>\n
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![\"Tournament](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/golf-fans2-kd_hqfzaa.jpg\")
<\/p>\n