Rant alert.
I know NiceBallz is a relative newcomer to the golf blogging scene. We’re the Johnny Come Lately, new kid on the block. Invariably FNG’s like us show up and think they’re going to tell the world how to do things. Don’t you hate that?
If so, you’re not going to like what we have to say here -The golf blogsphere is in need of a reboot.
Recently a post by Fake Steve Jobs (written by the real Dan Lyons) essentially opened a can of blogging whoop ass on the mainstream media. If you haven’t read it, do yourself a favor and check it out, plus the follow-up here.
So why use a blog post authored by a real journalist pretending to be a CEO ripping the NYT to make a point about the golf blogsphere? Simple – the business and tech blogsphere has a few key components to their collective mindset and approach in blogging that we think are by in large lacking in the golf blogsphere.
- Balls: Yes, sorry to be all machismo on our female readers, but we believe women bloggers can (and sometimes do) have blogging balls as well. Ovum? If you have spent time following tech or business blogs you see one thing consistently. People will piss all over establishment, each other…everything at the drop of a hat. One could argue this isn’t exactly generative behavior. True enough. But at the same time…criticism at least stirs debate and dialogue and sometimes real change. Plus, look at the impact blogs in tech and business have vs. golf. You see major news broken in blogs by tech and business bloggers. Policy shifts by companies have been made because of buzz stirred up by bloggers. Usually when you see big news broken online in golf it’s still from the mainstream media, who happen to be at least somewhat savvy about using these new tools.
- Challenge: Do golf blogs by in large challenge the industry or players or the status quo enough? We would argue, again in general, that they do not. Why? Some of it is probably an access question. Golf blogs rely on agents, PR people at major organizations like the PGA and LPGA and other layers of gatekeepers to get access to the personalities that can help deliver great content. If you challenge too much or dare work a bit of snark into the dialogue, odds are you’re at risk to get cut off. The tech/business blogging world faced similar challenges. Mainstream media and others tried to marginalize them and paint them as militants…the lunatic fringe. Well, now the inmates are running the asylum with the advent of social media and more people being influenced by what they see and read in blogs and other places online. You’re far more likely to see a slew of posts on a golfer giving money away to a charity, or gracing the cover of a magazine than you are to read anything critical of a player that goes beyond the superficial “FIGJAM’s a jerk” blather. That’s not to say SOME coverage of the good stuff isn’t warranted. But when bloggers are re-posting press releases (hey we get them too so you’re not fooling anyone) about a charity event or other softball news, it doesn’t exactly lend credence to the argument that we’re collectively serious about asking the tough questions.
- Contribute: Possibly the most disappointing thing we’ve observed, and what is arguably the most fixable is the propensity to copy and redo the same story over and over. It’s actually a bit of a hot button for us because IF we write something up on a topic others have done…we always strive to put a very unique spin on it. After all, how many posts on Tiger Woods house do we REALLY need? Sure, there is a fair amount of copy/lift/reprint in any sector of blogging…tech, biz, entertainment, sports overall etc. But in a space (golf) where blogging is seen as generally lagging behind other sports bloggers, why be ok with the status quo? Contribute a unique perspective…hell, just find a different PHOTO to use when you post the same article. That’s a start. And by the way…you know where you read it first, do the right thing and give some link back love to your fellow bloggers. We’re all in this together folks, for better or worse.
Some would argue that the reason biz and tech bloggers are more big time than golf is due to the billions and billions of dollars at stake. Totally fair point. But golf itself is a pretty sizable industry but the sophistication and willingness to flat out take some chances here seem to be lagging disproportionately behind blogs in other sectors or sports.
But hey…that’s just some new guy’s perspective. We’re sure you may have a different one and we’d love to hear it below.
PS - We weren’t talking about YOU of course fellow blogger. No, not you. You are a beacon of light in the dimly lit back alley’s of golf blogging. You are the standard we aspire to live up to and we are graced by your presence here reading our drivel.*
*May or may not be true depending on who you are.
Hack is a pen name for a marketing and media relations professional who enjoys blogging as a means to pursue his passion for his favorite sport – golf. He represents the yin to his collaborator’s yang. He doesn’t so much play golf, as the game plays him to his delight and likely demise. Follow his perspective on Twitter at @
Whew! You really had me until I saw that the P.S. was about me.
Thank you very much…
Wait – by posting a thread about not wanting another post about Tiger Woods’ new house…aren’t you putting up another post about Tiger Woods’ new house ? (someone hand me an asprin – the space time implications are killing my brain)
You caught me. The paradox will ensue in 3 minutes.
I think there’s a much bigger eco-system that you can tap in the technology industry in order to gain access to content/info. Leaks are legion in tech from lower level employees seeking some sort of anonymous power gig. Beyond the PGA players, managers/handlers and those who work in the PGA, how big is the access ecosystem around/in the PGA? Where’s the scoop from Callaway, Titleist and Nike (ugh)?
One thing Finchem was good at was keeping a lid on everything–especially anything potentially negative about Tiger. The guy was a complete control freak and never strayed off message. The broadcast announcers are in the same boat as the golf blogosphere but they at least have major access. And look at the lame output they have: Miller’s the only snark and he’s mild.
It gets back to the old techniques from investigative journalism: you have to dig and cultivate relationships with people who have some scoopage. No?
I’d start with the caddies.
Caddies are a good start, fer sure. Maybe also the spurned tartlets and the downsized handlers. And, that nerd they keep in the basement in Ponte Vedre who cooks up the FedEx Cup algorithms. He knows something.
I’m trying my best…
You’re fine. We steal some of our best stuff from you.
Yeah. What you said.
I am too tired to give a clever comment. But I love your blog. Not that you need any ego stroking.
Re: FNGs showing up and thinking they’re going to tell the world how to do things. Don’t you hate that? Hate it? No. I just find it somewhat lame.
Different individuals (in the golf niche or any other niche) have different reasons for blogging … different styles too, which naturally results in different audiences. We may share a small core group of readers but I know that quite a number of my most faithful and dedicated readers are far from golf fanatics. Lots of them are occasional, recreational golfers… and fans who follow the tournaments and pros, and for the most part they don’t read many golf blogs other than mine. Lot’s of my readers read mainly tech blogs, preppy blogs, humor blogs, mommy blogs…etc. They came upon my blog in a round-about way, liked the writing and subscribed.
And you guys certainly have lots of subscribers who don’t know, or or care to know, about my blog. And that’s the thing, our motivations are obviously different too. I’m simply writing about a subject I love and I love the art of writing… and my blog is the result of that juxtaposition. And that’s what I offer to my readers.
I don’t feel the need for “balls”. I feel no compulsion to stir debate… though it’s sometimes a bi-product of a topic I choose to write about. I certainly don’t strive to “break news” or get “scoopage” before any other bloggers do. I know there bloggers who are into that and that’s awesome, but it’s not my thing, it’s not what my audience is reading me for and I don’t feel a responsibility to do it.
As far as challenging the industry or the status quo? Again, I don’t see that as my job or responsibility. My aim is to entertain my readers, and yeah, on my way to doing that I might sometimes challenge traditional golf media, or the tours or manufacturers. But the fact is. I know a number of PGA, EuroTour, LET and LPGA players quite well… I know several caddies too and though I use information and anecdotes from them in my posts, I don’t “cultivate them as sources” nor do I feel the need to snark it up. These are folks I’ve gotten to know and like. I’ve helped some with websites, I’ve consulted with others on book projects or social media strategies and guess what? I’m not an investigative journalist or reporter. I a blogger and I tell stories to an audience who likes me exactly the way I am, anyone who doesn’t stops reading I suppose. I don’t have try to elicit or expose anything…though I don’t reproach others for doing this at all. And if one of my contacts is doing something nice, laudable, sweet, fluffy…whatever… and they’re proud of it… I’ll be the first one to talk it up. That said, I never just regurgitate press releases. But I’m happy to work facts and info from them into my posts, always carefully crafting them in my own style As I say, most of my readers aren’t golf bloggers so they haven’t received he releases. And you know what else? If a particular blogger’s audience likes the “FIGJAM’s a Jerk blather” as you dismissively call it. Then I would encourage that blogger to keep it coming, because it works for his/her audience. I’m fine with other golf bloggers asking the tough questions and I realize being a snarky risk-taker is stylish right now… but, sorry… it’s not my thing… and no one is paying me to make it my thing. That said, I’m not by any means risk-adverse in my writing, and if something resonates with me or bothers me, I write about it. I can stand by my record on that, I’ve been writing daily for over three years and I never phone it in.
Oh, and the contribute part. Once again, Hello? We’re not all writing for the same audience. Much of my audience didn’t see the Tiger House story or the Putting Green Bra story or the latest Ricki/Rory/Ryo story on
Nice Ballz or Waggle Room or Devil Ball or Golf Digest because they don’t happen to read those esteemed publications – like many of your/their readers don’t read mine. And just about every independent blog I’ve seen…of the good blogs…you know what I’m talking about…puts their own spin/style/writing technique on these stories and most – myself certainly, put in links when ever and where ever possible.
Anyway that’s my perspective on it… let’s call it an NSNG’s (No So New Girl’s) Perspective.
You guys do humor brilliantly… I mean really brilliantly. Telling the world how to do things? Not so much. IMHO
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”
Hey, you asked for feedback, didn’t you?
At least I thought “But hey…that’s just some new guy’s perspective. We’re sure you may have a different one and we’d love to hear it below” that’s what meant. ;o)
I started my blog to tell honest, and hopefully, humorous stories from the course. I hope my tales are ones that many golfers can relate to, but in my voice–which happens to be female (even if it sounds a bit low over the phone).
I will admit the old reporter in me sometimes creeps out and I desperately want to break a story. Hell, it was hard enough to break a story when I was part of a specific press corps in D.C., much less as a blogger. I just couldn’t help myself a couple of times, but I didn’t do it very well on my blog.
I also don’t do “mean” very well. In life, and on my blog, I like a lot of different kinds of people—even though they don’t always like me. I’m definitely the kind of person who tries to see the good in folks and tends to overlook the bad. It takes a lot to really tick me off, but when you do–watch out! This gets me in trouble ALL THE TIME! (Just ask Hubbie who is more the opposite) I think my blog has that same view, because it’s written by ME!
Usually the person I make fun of is myself. That’s just what I’m comfortable with, besides I’ve got A LOT of great material. You just aren’t going to find me ragging on Phil. I like Phil. I like JD. I like Tiger. I like Stewart. I like Ian. I like Anthony. I like Greg. I REALLY like Camilo and Adam. I could harsh on them to sound “cool,” but that is not who I am. I tried that in middle school and it was a complete failure and resulted in years of therapy. ;o)
But since I don’t report to anyone (or get paid) to write my blog, I really believe it can be whatever I want it to be. I don’t want to break news stories, but hell yeah I’d love an interview with Adam Scott. I also enjoy reviewing products. Right now I review holiday gift ideas on Fridays. I made that clear so those who aren’t interested in my reviews can find something else to read on Friday. But I know many of my readers enjoy my finds and actually end up purchasing the products. I think that’s a win-win for everyone. Most of the companies are small businesses and I’m happy to send a customer their way if I really like a product.
ANYWAY, I’m think I’m back to my original goal which is to make everything about me (lol). The best complements I’ve gotten are emails from readers that say, “You made me want to be a better golfer,” or “I’m so glad you didn’t write about Tiger in China this week,” or even “You make me laugh, I’m glad I’m not the only one who snorts on the course.”
BTW I definitely have balls! Do have any idea how humiliating it is to tell “the world” I hit a hybrid instead of a seven iron? Or that I’ve shanked numerous shots in competition? So take that!
WHOA! Just realized I wrote WAY too much. So I thought I’d add more.
One last point, I feel VERY strongly about giving credit where credit is due, but I also recognize that it is inevitable that we will all write about the same topic at one time or another. Shall I mention the FTC? ;o)
GG – I did indeed…and thank you as always for sharing. I just think it’s interesting how some people seem to so often take things personally
. That’s all.
As for telling the world what to do or think – Just like you, we’re merely sharing our opinion…everyone is free to take it and do with it what they will. You call it lame? We just call it inciting a discussion (radical I know).
If people think re-running the same story across 20 different blogs with a few words changed is compelling – hey, have at it. I think it’s interesting that one of the first big hits we got was when you ran your story about us several months ago. That was a new and unique post because we were roughly a week old.
That’s what I think makes the blogging world so compelling – when you find something that can’t be found elsewhere. And it’s why we strive to do things a little differently and happen to think collectively the golf blogsphere would benefit from a bit of a shift. But some people aren’t into it and that’s fine for them. We’ll just keep on truckin.
PS – I did bet Corey $20 you would reply with a big post…so, at least we know our audience
.
I read a few blogs that interest me. I don’t respond to lots of posts because I keep all caught up and busy with other stuff. I read this blog, Patricia’s, Heather’s and a few others. I do not read every golf blog. Ones written from a personal perspective, or a humorous perspective are much more interesting to read. WIth limited time I follow those. If I need golf news I read my GC newsletter email things.
Different keystrokes for different folks. No biggie.
TXQ
Kokogirl,
Well said and so concise—unlike my diatribe. I agree wholeheartedly, just replace “Heather” with Lisa.
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