Thread by @RPMComo

Traditional #golf fans look away now. Here is where the game goes from here IMHO. And it needs to, it's av age is 50+

The majors will remain the absolute centre of the game and carry it's 72 hole tradition. They will expand as events to include qualifying rounds. Positive!

The rest of the game I personally see is not around stroke play at all. 54 or 72. Its too long/slow before someone wins or loses.

People say that LIV has nothing of merit to play for. Agreed. But elite sportspeople are driven by direct winning and losing. Its a pride ego thing.

Luckily golf has match play. That's compelling jeopardy.

The future of year round golf as content is matchplay. No doubt in my mind.

But who gets to play?

For me, it's the top talents and characters only. Those with followings and appeal.

Men and women. The stars.

Here is where you should look away.

I see a mic-ed matchplay with Rory and Claire Hogle v Koeptka and Courtney Harter

And a fancam on Bruce's wife as he "interacts" with the others. Memes flowing in.

That's your product. Stars with a big name, big following, attractive!

But that's just the base. You need amateur participation.

And here we have TopGolf.

Modern motion capture tech can easily insert avatars into the action.

So you're at the range. You and your buddy enter the skins game and see yourself actually on the fairway with the stars.

Obviously they don't see you. But you feel as if you're in the game.

This will also happen to many sports like F1. Tech will put you on the field or track..in-play.

Don't shoot the messenger. I'm just extrapolating what I see in startups. And what I know about modern content.

So if I'm right, what does it mean for today's golf ecosystem?

If you are not a big star, a personality with a serious following, good looking to attract sponsors like (Emma R), you are going to struggle. You are a product that doesn't have a market, in today's media business.

There will be, and are, minor tours, like @BarryHearn, where you will aspire to get to the top and build your following. Noone will notice you, until you make it. You'll scrape by.

Just like aspiring bands. You'll play the clubs/pubs for free drinks till you make it big.

This is without doubt in my mind the direction of travel for sports' role in the media sector (who pays it's bills).

There are too many data points.

What is the counter arguement?

That this moment is transitory. These young audiences are fickle. Don't sell your soul for them.

It would be a huge error to try and chase them, for them to ditch you anyway.

The way they've ditched FB, Snapchat etc, for the next new shiny thing.

So double down on the status quo. Make "authentic" your bet. This will pass and return. Like vinyl records.

I hear that!

I just dont buy it.

Jazz never ever came back. And that's as authentic as it comes.

So today, we will all love an amazing day. But don't forget, it's a Major. Special.

Think about the year round product market fit to attract media $. Its Rory, Ricky, Claire Hogle and TopGolf.