10 Golfers Who Would Be Great TV Commentators

By: Derek Clements | Mon 22 May 2023

THERE is a knack to being a successful golf commentator. It certainly helps if you have been involved at the sharp end, and that contributed towards Nick Faldo’s success with a microphone in his hand.

As a player he was single-minded. Selfish even. Some would say he was rude and self-centred. And all of that contributed to him winning six majors.

But when he hung up his golf spikes he shocked us all by revealing that he actually had a sense of humour.

Who would ever have predicted David Feherty’s success? Or that Wayne Reilly would have us in hysterics with his on-course, up close and personal analysis?

It is all too easy to forget that Peter Alliss, the doyen of golf commentators, was a very successful player until being afflicted by the yips. Sam Torrance was a brilliant commentator from day one. It took Ken Brown a bit longer to develop.

I have been thinking about who among those currently playing the game that would make a successful transition. So here, in no particular order, are my top 10 for the future.

Steve Stricker

A thoughtful man with a wealth of knowledge and vast experience of the PGA Tour. He also knows what it’s like to reach the top, lose your game and climb all the way back. Hugely articulate, with a mischievous sense of humour.

Ian Poulter

One of the most colourful characters in the game, and a man who knows all about competing at the highest level under the greatest pressure. Passionate, articulate and funny. And he would not be afraid to deliver criticism.

Thomas Bjorn

Inspired his troops to victory in the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National through a mix of inspirational team talks and humour. He has already done a bit of punditry and you could well be hearing a lot more of the Dane in the months and years ahead.

Henrik Stenson

If you have ever attended a Stenson press conference or seen one of his interviews on TV you will know that he is a very funny man. And let’s be honest - too many commentators and analysts take themselves far, far too seriously.

Phil Mickelson

Ask Mickelson a question and off he goes. On and on and on. The chances are that television viewers probably wouldn’t be able to fathom a word of what he was talking about but it would be great fun trying to work it out. The evidence may suggest otherwise, but Mickelson is an intelligent man.

Tiger Woods

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Woods has won 15 majors, reached incredible highs and miserable lows. And every golfer on the planet respects him and everything that he has achieved so you can be sure that they would sit up and take notice if he were sitting in the commentary box. His playing days are surely all but over now and he will be looking for new challenges. I wonder…

Jordan Spieth

The American always gives a running commentary on the course anyway so making the transition to the commentary box when the time comes seems like an obvious move. He is funny and extroverted. And he never stops talking!

Tyrrell Hatton

A man who wears his heart on his sleeve but is also able to laugh at himself. Like Stenson, his media interviews always raise a smile. He has been there and done it all on both the PGA and DP World Tours so has a huge breadth of knowledge and experience.

Bernhard Langer

The German is never going to end up in the commentary box because he still enjoys playing too much - and is still strutting his stuff against men 15 years younger than he is. But he would make a great commentator because of his incredible eye for detail and analytical approach to everything he does.

Rory McIlroy

Always articulate, always has something to say. He has won almost everything there is to win in the game. And he is not frightened to say what’s on his mind. It’s fair to say that if Rory was ever to pick up the microphone he would not be frightened of upsetting people.