Good and Bad Golf Announcers, Analysts and Commentators

Extremely knowledgable about what it takes to compete on the highest levels of the PGA Tour, Duval is superb at breaking down what it takes to deliver consistently in the big moments, especially majors. Unfortunately, his voice has very little inflection and excitement and I find myself rapidly traveling to sleepyville when he drones on too much.

Nick Faldo (Formerly with CBS)

I like to listen to Sir Nick, but I’m fully aware there are lots of viewers who simply can’t stand the sometimes smug and arrogant British attitude. It’s hard to believe Faldo was so mum with the media when he played. Sir Nick can talk endlessly about golf, which obviously annoys some viewers. He seemingly has an opinion on just about every aspect of the professional game. Banking on memories from his six Major wins, Faldo’s strength is telling the viewer exactly what’s it’s like to play between the ropes, especially during crucial moments. Nobody gets inside the minds of superstar players like Faldo. For those who can’t stand Sir Nick, I guess you got your wish with his recent retirement from CBS.

Brad Faxon (NBC)

Gary Koch and Roger Maltbie got the unceremonious boot from NBC and Faxon, along with Smylie Kaufman, was recruited to “re-energize the broadcast” as the suits at the network like to say. Faxon is articulate and opinionated at times and I see him as a sort of Johnny Miller lite as time goes by. Renowned as one the game’s great putters during his career, the least he can do is offer all of us some quick lessons and insight with the flatstick.

David Feherty (LIV Golf Tour)

He’s just not that funny and he recently brought his tired act to LIV Golf. Feherty always seems more interested in desperately trying to come up with zany one-liners than actually analyzing the golf action around him. It’s sad, most of his jokes crash and burn. I cringe every time the announcer says, “Let’s go to Feherty.” I realize more than a few people think Feherty is humorous, but I would absolutely hate to be sitting on a long flight with him and have to listen to his boorish act.

The former caddie to Phil Mickelson sounds exactly like, well, a caddie. I like his act and really enjoy his information about reading greens and how to approach certain putts. He seems to improve with each tournament. (Mackay recently left his course reporter gig to caddie for Justin Thomas).

Hunter Mahan (NBC)

While he’s not on main broadcasts, Mahan should be. He’s articulate and a great storyteller about his life on the PGA Tour. His performance as an analyst at Ryder Cup 2021 “Featured Groups” stream for NBC/Golf Channel was superb. The three-time Ryder Cupper is easy-to-listen to and has a great sense of humor when the moment calls for it. I predict bigger and better things for him in the golf broadcast universe.

Roger Maltbie (Formerly With NBC)

A former PGA Tour player, ol’ “Rodge” is a reliable, venerable, on-the-course reporter who has that comfortable, drinking buddy kind of demeanor that is never irritating. You can easily imagine having a single malt or a pint with Maltbie and listening to his colorful golf stories.

Paul McGinley (Golf Channel)

Wow, who knew he was such a flame thrower. McGinley provides entertaining “in-your-face” challenges to Brandel Chamblee and the Irishman isn’t afraid to share his honest opinion on just about any topic in golf. He’s really a breath of fresh air and has a bit of the Johnny Miller flair for offering constructive criticism in an honest and direct manner. McGinley won four events on the European Tour, sunk the winning putt for Europe in the 2002 Ryder Cup and was the winning captain for Europe in the 2014 Ryder Cup,

Jim Nantz (CBS)

Hello friends, nobody in the business does it like Jim Nantz. While you can criticize him for being too mushy or overdramatic when talking about the Masters and Augusta National, Nantz is always well prepared and unruffled on the air. He makes few mistakes and doesn’t impose his personality on the viewer. It’s an art to be on the air for so long and not annoy the heck out of people and to sit calmly and sometimes listen to Nick Faldo drone on endlessly.

Frank Nobilo (CBS)

With his great New Zealand accent and an ability to talk on every aspect of life on the PGA Tour, Nobilo is one of the best golf analysts on television. He’s not afraid to criticize, but always does it fairly with facts to back up his assertions.

Andy North (ESPN)

Knowledgeable, professional and comfortable in front of the camera, North, a two-time U.S. Open Champion, seems like a nice guy you’d go to for golf advice. North doesn’t say anything even close to controversial so most television viewers probably couldn’t pick him out of a line-up of popular analysts. He probably gets more recognition from his spokesperson duties for the Square Strike Wedge infomercials, which ran incessantly on golf programming a couple of years ago.

Arron Oberholser (NBC/Golf Channel)

A tower analyst and on-course reporter, Oberholser, a former PGA Tour golfer, may not have a big name but he has big-time talent. Vastly underrated and overlooked, Oberholser provides concise, no-nonsense analysis on the best strategies to play holes and the thinking process of golfers he’s covering. His playing career was cut short by injuries, but he’s performing well in this second career as a broadcaster.

Dottie Pepper (CBS)

A two-time major winner, Pepper is excellent at describing the physical and mental intricacies of playing professional golf at the highest level. She’s also not afraid to ruffle a few feathers once in a while. If you want a strong opinion, she delivers. Although she’s mellowed since her recent return to televised golf last year, who can forget her legendary line calling the 2007 Solheim Cup American team “choking freaking dogs.”

Morgan Pressel (NBC/Golf Channel)

While continuing to compete on the LPGA Tour, Pressel, a major champion (2007 ANA Inspiration), recently joined NBC/Golf Channel as an analyst and on-course reporter for LPGA and PGA Tour events. For someone with limited experience broadcasting, Pressel is excellent. She relates well to today’s players and her analysis is concise, honest and well delivered. If you’re looking for the next Dottie Pepper or Judy Rankin, I believe its Pressel, especially when she devotes full-time to her broadcasting career.

Judy Rankin (Golf Channel – Recently Retired)

She exudes class and knows both the men’s and women’s game. In fact, she was the first woman to work full-time on broadcasts of men’s events. Rankin knows the LPGA better than anybody (after all, she served as the Tour president in 1976-77).  Articulate and knowledgeable, Rankin never gets flustered and always puts the viewer in a good mood.

Tom Rinaldi (Fox)

I used to like Rinaldi’s soft approach and heart-warming human interest pieces and post game interviews. I can’t take it anymore, though. Everything he does now has a certain sameness and predictability. He asks the same old and tired three questions: “How do you feel?”, “What were you thinking?” and “Why did you cry?” 

Jimmy Roberts (Golf Channel)

Roberts sometimes gets a little over-sappy like Tom Rinaldi, but I’ll take Roberts for my heart tugging golf essays and interviews. Apparently I’m not the only one that likes Roberts because he’s racked up 13 Emmy Awards. He’s a superb storyteller and generally stays away from the oh so predictable “how does it feel?” question.

Mark Rolfing (NBC)

A steady voice of reason on the airwaves for more than two decades, Rolfing oozes professionalism and is very underrated. He’s honest and fair in his critiques of player strategy and performance. No puff stuff with Rolfing just great straightforward analysis.

Charlie Rymer (Formerly Golf Channel)

He sounds a bit like Gomer Pyle’s long lost cousin with his syrupy southern accent, but Rymer, a former star at Georgia Tech and a PGA Tour player, has some interesting takes and opinions. He doesn’t like to criticize other players much, but that doesn’t stop him from providing spot on analysis with a cornpone flair.

Steve Sands (Golf Channel)

This gravelly voice broadcast veteran is always reliable with accurate information on the players and tournaments. He’s well connected and respected by the players and PGA Tour officials and presents interesting behind-the-scenes information that enhances the telecast.

Marty Smith (ESPN)

With his syrupy southern twang and folksy demeanor, Smith sounds and looks like the ideal analyst for SEC football and NASCAR. He does an admirable job at both sports for ESPN. Surprisingly, he does an excellent job of post round interviews with golfers, many who are frustrated and tired. Polite and friendly, Smith’s questions are concise and the players seem comfortable talking about the ups and downs of their day.

Curtis Strange (ESPN)

Remember, this is the guy who sanctimoniously told a young, confident Tiger Woods in 1996 that “You’ll learn” when referring to Woods’ goal to win every tournament. Strange still appears a bit uncomfortable talking about Tiger after all these years. Curtis also seems like the grouchy old guy at the clubhouse grill who might offer up this “kick-in-the-balls” retort to Joe Golfer: “Hey, I won two U.S. Opens and you can’t even break 90, get out of my face with your opinion.”

Wright Thompson (ESPN)

A senior writer for ESPN and golf essayist, Thompson, author of the best selling book “Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon and The Things that Last” is skilled at clearly articulating the struggles, hopes and disappointments of golfers without being sappy or overly dramatic. His video essays on the Masters are beautifully written and strike the right balance between describing the majesty of the tournament and the realities of glorious success and devastating defeat.

Mike Tirico (NBC)