The Best Golf Commentators on Sky Sports

Sky Sports has now effectively been the home of golf coverage in the UK for three decades, these days broadcasting hundreds of events from the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LET and LPGA Tour into living rooms each year; including the major championships in addition to the biennial Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup.

It's a comprehensive menu of tournaments, meaning that (when you include highlights and other related programmes) you can quite literally watch golf whenever you like.

Most of you probably don't have the stamina to see everything, but whenever you do tune in, you will hear multiple, well-established voices who have become synonymous with Sky.

We all have our personal tastes when it comes to enjoying some commentators over another, but if you have spent a long time watching golf, then you will have enjoyed a shocking number of hours in the distant company of these personalties.

Formerly, the likes of David Livingstone, Bruce Critchley, Howard Clark and Colin Montgomerie were staples on Sky, but who are your favourites among the current cast of characters? Here is an individual take on the best exponents of commentary, presenting and punditry on Sky Sports Golf.

Ewen Murray

He's essentially been there from the very beginning, lending his dulcet tones and experience to elevate any broadcast that he's part of. Given his longevity, it's perhaps easy to take Murray's role for granted, but he holds things together brilliantly, smoothly transitioning between describing a moment, engaging with whoever he's sharing the booth with, to subtly adding context to a situation without breaking stride. The Scot is the ultimate pro.

Tim Barter

Another long-standing member of the team, Barter might be very well be the GOAT - as the kids like to say. Whether he's following the action on the course, interviewing a winner or sharing his own analysis, his understated, no-nonsense style is rich with knowledge and makes him an underappreciated asset at Sky. 

Laura Davies

Who doesn't love the Dame? Legendary player, good character, great personality, she has developed an imitable style on Sky that isn't afraid to occasionally gently poke fun at her colleagues or the absurdity of whatever is on screen. Let's be honest, golf can be a silly game and there's nothing wrong with pointing that out.

Nick Doughterty

The former European Tour winner's career ended prematurely, but he has excelled at his next calling, taking on the role as Sky Sports Golf's leading front-man alongside adding his own stints in commentary. Slick and able to bring the best out of whoever is on punditry duties, there is no doubting that Doughterty has become an exceptionally skilled broadcaster.

Andrew Coltart

Not afraid to share an opinion and refreshingly comfortable with displaying the odd spell of grumpiness at whatever he's seeing, Coltart has a great voice for commentary and is a good foil for Laura Davies, Rich Beem and Wayne Riley during a broadcast.

Rich Beem

Speaking of Beemer, winner of the PGA Championship in 2002, he's been a natural fit within the Sky team, adding humour and personality to his analysis of the action he's watching in addition to wider events and topics. Enjoying chemistry with his colleagues, including the occasional disproving nod from Murray, Beem is rightly a mainstay in the group now.

Wayne Riley

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

The Australian has now been part of the team for well over a decade, adding his own unique style to on-course commentary. He offers humour and his own distinctive phraseology, but beyond that Riley is simply extremely good at describing the situation in which a golfer has been presented with, expertly outlining the shot choices and providing extra context to the viewer. Extremely good at what he does.

Richard Boxall

Typically heard during the regular DP World Tour schedule, Boxall doesn't take himself or the action too seriously, which is often welcome when the commentary becomes too stoic and reverential. His style is endearing and has a charm to it that his perhaps underrated more widely.

David Howell

When he's not competing on the circuit, Howell has been a regular guest on Sky for years, either in the studio or on the course - and he is superb at both. Amiable, witty and a good talker, Howell is a thoroughly enjoyable listen and will hopefully be heard more frequently once his playing career slows down.

Butch Harmon

Unfortunately, we only really hear from the legendary instructor during the Masters these days, but Harmon has been a massive part of Sky's coverage of major championships for well over 20 years. Enthusiastic, passionate about the game, and a fountain of knowledge and anecdotes, there is no one better. Have you noticed that the pen he holds in the studio always matches the colour of his tie?

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