Golf spectators have taken some heat recently for their behavior at recent tournaments. Rory McIlroy remarked, while at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in February, that there should be a limit on alcohol sales to fans, and that he wasn't the only golfer who thought so.
Rory spoke that he was bothered by one who wouldn't stop shouting the name of his wife. This was just weeks after Justin Thomas had a fan removed at the Genesis Open for shouting that his tee shot "get in the bunker." If you ask me, I think it's time for these men to toughen up.
As it is, the PGA Tour struggles to keep up with the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, and even College Sports for TV ratings (aside from the major tournaments). This problem could be resolved if the sport was more entertaining. To do this, fans should be allowed to act however they want! The sport needs MORE fans who are drunk off their asses and will say whatever is on their mind. You can't tell me it wouldn't draw in more casual fans leading to an increase in viewership and revenue.
The players who win each tournament should have to deal with the heckling of fans. The win would be more impressive, and it would make couch potatoes like us far more entertained. Doing this would also mediate the competition because those at the top would be heckled more than those at the bottom. It would make the guys on Tour thicker-skinned.
Silencing fans during golf shots go against our very first amendment right in the Constitution!!! Being able to scream during Jon Rahm's backswing would make things so much more interesting- and that is what the PGA Tour needs! Not guys like Jim Nance, who whisper monotone phrases in our ears so quiet that we have to turn the TV up.
Lebron James shoots free-throws while staring at cardboard cutouts of himself behind the basket. Giancarlo Stanton steps up to the plate with people 'booing' him. And even Reggie Miller never had Spike Lee removed from the game because of heckling. C'mon Justin. C'mon Rory. It's time we grow up.
Fans are what make the game fun. Us fans don't tell you the proper way to hit a five-iron, so you shouldn't tell us the proper way to cheer. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. You buncha softies. That is all gentlemen.
