NBC’s goal-post graphic on the U.S. Open caught the eye of golf followers.

getty photographs

It’s good!

Or, wait…is it a gimmicky eyesore?

At this week’s U.S. Open, the NBC broadcast crew rolled out a graphic not like any earlier than it: a rendering of a soccer aim submit that, on a couple of events, the published transposed onto the driving zone on the par-4 fifteenth. The graphic sat snugly between bushes that flank the golf green and was designed to provide viewers a way for the accuracy of tee photographs by means of what’s a decent driving chute.

Golf broadcasts aren’t identified for innovation, so when new bells and whistles seem, golf followers take be aware. The posts have been no exception, and reactions have been — predictably — combined. Jay Rigdon over at Terrible Saying known as the posts “pointless enjoyable.” However there have been loads of different opinions, too. Right here’s a sampling of takes from golf followers on Twitter, spurred by the graphic’s cameo down the stretch on Sunday afternoon.

First, its supporters:

Now, its detractors:

One technical drawback with the posts: “changing” a subject aim didn’t essentially equate to a great drive. On Sunday, eventual champion Matt Fitzpatrick efficiently knocked his tee shot by means of the uprights but missed the golf green proper by 30 yards.

NBC used the graphic sometimes however did make use of it all through the week. Within the first spherical, the posts appeared when Justin Thomas was on the tee.

“Justin Thomas for the additional level…,” mentioned analyst David Feherty.

When Thomas cut up the uprights, Feherty’s NBC colleague, Paul Azinger, couldn’t assist himself.

“It’s good!” Zinger cooed.

NBC additionally labored the posts right into a gap flyover:

Love the graphic or detest it, give NBC credit score: it was completely different. Makes you marvel what the community may trot out at for its Open Championship protection subsequent month. Objective posts appear unlikely on the windblown Previous Course, the place gamers will attempt to preserve the ball low.

Maybe a limbo pole?

Alan Bastable
Patacon.org Editor

As Patacon.org’s government editor, Bastable is chargeable for the editorial route and voice of one of many recreation’s most revered and extremely trafficked information and repair websites. He wears many hats — enhancing, writing, ideating, creating, daydreaming of sooner or later breaking 80 — and feels privileged to work with such an insanely gifted and hardworking group of writers, editors and producers. Earlier than grabbing the reins at Patacon.org, he was the options editor at GOLF Journal. A graduate of the College of Richmond and the Columbia Faculty of Journalism, he lives in New Jersey together with his spouse and foursome of youngsters.