The Big Break returns tomorrow night. I, for one, love the show and have seen every episode of the series. I would like to get some views as to which was the best Big Break. I think the best season was Big Break 2: Las Vegas. The last three episodes of season 2 were the most exciting episodes of the entire series. Let me get your thoughts.

I am also a fan of the show. I will probably watch this season, at least tomorrow night. It looks like David Mobley of Remax fame is one of the contestants. I will watch to see him, hopefully he gets to smash a few deep.

I liked the talent that Mesquite had, all of those guys were real players.

I have seen the commercials on tv for X, and I may be wrong, but this looks like an awful idea.

what course is it at?

I've always like the Big Break and will watch this one. It's about the only show I plan on watching every week.

I have watched most of them, much to my wife's dismay, but don't plan on watching this one.
I will probably catch the reruns as that is all the Golf Channel plays so it is often hard to avoid.

I think that Mesquite was the most intriguing as all of the golfers had real, and not perceived talent. That said in the final match up I think they played from about 6500yrds at Elevation! If these guys what to be pros, have them tee off from 7500 if they are playing at elevation and 7200 at sea level. Those guys only had more than an 8 iron into most greens twice a round and all were hitting irons into par fives!

What do these teams win? A spot in the Wendy's Three Tour Challenge? Free golf balls for a year? A lesson from Rick Smith?

I will definitely watch at least the first episode to see what it's all about. I thought Mesquite and 2 were the best, though I don't agree that everyone on Mesquite had real talent, but most did.

I am looking forward to BB 10 and so glad that highway 18 is OVER! I only watched a couple of episodes of hw 18 and thought it better to pick the lint out of my navel than watch this!

Ferris- I think they are playing at a few of the courses in Boyne, Michigan. From all accounts, Boyne is a great place to go to play golf. They have some great golf packages and I am sure they will pimp that as much as possible during the season.

The team idea is very disappointing. This isn't the Ryder Cup, President's or any other of the like. These team thing remind me more of MTv's "Real World" than golf.

Wait they break into teams on the Real World, I thought they all just tried to kill each other eventually. But yes they are getting a little too much like other reality shows looking for gimmicks to change the show up, but I will wait to pass judgement until I see it.

Funny! : )

Yes, I guess we should wait and see. You are right. That would be fair.

I'm a bit of a fan of the show as Dave Mobley and Sally Dee both Champions of Long Drive will compete. They will be doing most of the taping at Tree Tops Resort in Gaylord MI. However I feel that the show has lost what little luster it had. I think like all reality shows it about the "talent" not the "golf talent" as some of the people selected just shouldn't be on the show. Don't get me wrong there has been some really strong players on the show. Unless something crazy happens i think that this show will be one of the worst.

Boyne has some great courses. I went there on a golf trip several years back and it was great. We got to play Bay Harbor for our last round there and it was phenomenal.

I watched most of the last season (the Hawaii one). I really enjoyed it. I'm going to check out the new one, but at first vibe, I can't say I feel real fond of the team concept.

yeah, boyne is great i've played all the courses several times, and treetops as well since i used to work at garland which is not far from treetops. I doubt it would be treetops again though since that was used in season 1

I liked Mesquite and Ka'anapali the best and I'm looking forward to this one a lot - I've got 4 interviews lined up for after the show this week (Michael and Amber on Tuesday night and Andrea and Haymes on Wed). Should be fun...I'll post them on my blog like I did for HW 18.

Given this is the first time "couples" are competing, it will be interesting to see if the drama around relationships overshadows the golf - I hope not. But let's give it a chance.

I wonder how they'll decide on elmination. Anyone think they'll use the same "two strike rule" like they did on Highway 18?

Gayle

i'm good friends with bernie luse, hope she wins, she's not aloud to tell anybody how she did.

So what's the verdict on this week's show? I personally liked the fact that there was a lot of golf played and very little drama.

I had a chance to chat with Amber tonight and Michael. I didn't realize the Robbie was as good as he is (after his first shot ) - Michael filled me in on his game - very impressive!

I will add Andrea and Haymes to the blog tomorrow with their interviews.

Let me know what you think and if you have any questions for them for next week.

Gayle

Should there be a "spoiler" in the topic of this thread for those that haven't watched it yet?

Put some stud male/female college, ex-college, mini-tour players on there and give them an exemption into a PGA/LPGA event. Seriously this is dumb, do any of these players even have a shot at making a cut?...I'm asking because I don't know. I like some of the challenges and what not but they should focus more on score and not who can break glass the fastest.

I must say I like the big break and this is about as dissappointing a first show as I could expect. So many of these people have no business even playing for a PGA/LPGA exemption. I mean, everyone gets nervous, but some of the shots are just ridiculous. A shank and a topped iron, not even a blade just a top. I wouldn't hit a shot like that with my eyes closed. I just wish they could find some better players for the show, Mesquite was probably tops in that respect. Getting down in 4 from 75 earns a halve? Are you kidding me?

Giving it a shot right now, the newest iteration of Big Break. It makes me miss my girl though (man, "ex" sounds so weird with her), watching all these couples. Damn them for having so many blondes on the show. And one of them really reminds me of her.

Just saw the topped iron. Yikes.

I thought the getting down in four from 75yds was rediculous. That is not even bogey golf. I am sure it will be a decent soap opera and they might even playa a little golf. Todd

Well, at least the really bad players will be gone faster!

on the first challenge....every team but one put the chick off the tee and the dude with the approach. and then most of them farked it up.



and i see the crotch cam has made it's return.




i'll watch this show because i am a slave to shite tv. plus it has golf. or something like it.

I thought re 'team concept' that i would agree with you, but having seen the first show, i think the reason the ryder cup stands out is that it is the only time in golf you play as a team. Golf is not like hockey where someone can see you are not playing well and feed you a nice pass for a goal.
In golf you are on your own.
Adding team aspect makes it unique. Watching the 'glares' from significant others when one member of team screws up was priceless. That woman with red hot glares aimed at Otis her partner were fun.
Sure a shank from one person is unacceptable and makes the show look cheesy, but those week mentally are usually gone pretty quick, and it at least appears some people have some game.

I was not thrilled by the show, but having missed several seasons of big break (last i watched was vegas) due to stubborness on my part when the local cable took the golf channel from basic cable to a higher paid tier, so i did not pay, i am at least happy to have something pass the time as locally it gets colder and darker and golf goes away.......

Ditto...... When I saw the top I though "OMG are you SERIOUS with that?"

From what I have heard, you don't get a lot of time to warm up and you may have to sit for a long time before you hit a shot. If this is the case then the "naturally" good players should do well, right? I mean the guys/girls with the naturally good swing that they can repeat in their sleep. One that they can roll out of bed and play decent with (with some stretching of course).

Of all the Big Breaks I've seen, one of the top 3 golfers on the show has won. I don't think there has ever been a "terrible" player to win one of these, but there have been some terrible players on the show for sure.

A few comments:

- BRB looked uncomfortable in front of the camera.
- Vince should be brought back.
- Amber looks half the size of Ashley
- I hope Brandt Snedeker's brother will do well
- And the crotch cam is back

It seems like they were pretty limited in their selection for this show given the format. It's gotta be pretty hard to find a top level amateur or mini-tour pro who is married to, dating, or great friends with a player of the opposite sex with the same caliber talent. I was also pretty shocked when I saw that top! There's always one or 2 of those in each series.

Michigan seems like it will lack the drama of the past, some good some bad. The past few series have been all about drama. Last season they made a good half of the episodes a battle between Christina (I think that was her name, correct me if I'm wrong) and the other girls. We'll see how it turns out, it would be nice to see a lot of golf for a change.

Hey GolfGal, as always, great interviews. Nice to here about Kim Welch making it into the LPGA on her own. I've very casually followed her career since the end of the show but haven't checked up on any news lately.

I agree that I like the fact it was all about golf. But I do like to get to know the players a bit. The first show felt completely rushed which I guess is a consequence for having so many players for an hour show.

From what I saw almost everyone looked like they were completely freaking out, and I think it is too much to expect great golf from anyone this early into the show. If they do so, all the better...but I wouldn't expected it.

You are sooo right Crabby. It has some mediocre golf and so I'll watch it

I saw a couple female swings that looked legit, but that was about it. Some pretty awful stuff from the guys, and the couple that survived elimination is EXACTLY the problem with this show and some of the previous BBs. Does ANYONE seriously think that EITHER of them would even break 80 at a tour event. Good grief.

I for one know several VERY good mini-tour players that have REAL game and could REALLY use the money and the exemptions. Some of these guys struggle just to come up with the cash to ENTER the mini-tour events and Q-school EVEN though they have WON on the mini-tours! The money that these guys get for finishing high up in some of these mini-tour events is a JOKE.

Some of the young guys I know would have a LEGITIMATE shot of making cuts on the big tour and actually making something of the opportunity. I have NO idea why the GC cannot simply go and find the guys that have some real game and give them the shot at the exemptions.

Just LOOK at some of the shots hit yesterday and look at the swings that produced them. Gimme a break Big Break producers! PLEASE take the minimal time required to find some LEGITIMATE players!

Based on the embarassing crotch cams (please tell me that SOMEONE at the GC is embarrassed...PLEASE, does ANYONE over there have any class?) and the desire to hype and focus on petty skirmishes, It is clear to me that the GC must not understand that they would see excellent ratings if they actually made an honest effort to find the best mini-tour and amatuer players with ACTUAL game, and gave them a shot at exemptions through a BB show. Heck, they would not even need the crotch cam.

Tim

I liked the first BB, fresh and good assortment of characters.
I watched this one and it might be ok, but after HWY 18 anything would look good.

Highway 18 was horrible, and it looks to me like X could be joining it. The first episode was a joke, I never claim to be much more than a casual golfer that has a lot of passion for the game, but I seriously think that I could compete with some of the golfers (at least the male golfers) that they have gotten for the show. Some of the swings these guys were putting on the ball were ridiculous. Like a previous poster pointed out, it just seems like they have given up finding contestants that have any real talent.

How to they pick the contestants for these programs? I mean, we already have seen Amber, or is it Ashley. Regardless, one was enough, move on. Gee, do you think being Brent Snedeker's brother had any influence on the producers when it came time to choosing? I hope the guy has some game, other than the swing he exhibited on the first show, or he will be a big disappointment. Oh yea, haven't we already been to Michigan? What's left, maybe a celeberity Big Break, maybe a caddie competion, but what I am really hoping for is a Hacker's Big Break. no one under a 25 handicap. Now that could lead to some compelling TV. I think it's time to put the Big Break to bed.

I am a huge fan of the show and always have been, but I agree with Tim........the show simply has to find more talented competitors. Are you telling me that the top 5 finishers from anybody's home club championship couldn't keep up with the swings shown on episode #1 of BB X??

One idea for stepping up the ability level.......the next show is made up of players who compete on the various mini-tours......Gateway, Hooters, Tarheel, Adams, etc..........top 12 leaders in scoring average over the course of the season (or some timetable) get into to the BB. Again agreeing with Tim, these are players who could really make better use of the "break".

Another thing......the "break" is getting to play two rounds and probably not break 80 at a tour stop?? Really?? While I do like the paid expenses for Q-school that are being offered, I would rather see the BB pay expenses for a year on a developmental tour.....like they did for one of the ladies shows, they paid the expenses and entrance fees for the Futures Tour. Which leads me to my next idea (which is probably not original, but it is to me..... ).....

I think the PGA tour should buy one of the mini-tours (probably the Gateway since they play on both coasts) and have a graduation process (via money list) to the Nationwide tour. It would be like having a AA baseball team (Gateway) feed the AAA team (Nationwide) which feeds the majors (PGA).
This would increase the pay for the AA level and allow guys more time to develop their game (or find it, or realize they need to get a real job), and maybe even give us something to watch on Wednesdays besides informercials.....

Ok, that was a lot of thinking for me in one day.....back to the bar stool.

Woo

Yes, it was Christina (and Lori mostly, but others joined in as well - it was really over the top). I think there will be a lot less drama on this show, which I think is good - they are all still sending text messages to each other so the friendships seem to be lasting.

Thanks Sshadow2!

I agree, they seemed to be freaking out and they admitted it. Amazing that Rob hit that shank right off the top and yet he shot a 62 the day before on that course. Nerves were a big factor the first day, but I think they'll settle down. Haymes said he couldn't believe how nervous he was - and he's been around golf a long time.

It's not the same as playing a round of golf at all and the cameras also make them feel very self conscious. Imagine knowing that tens of thousands of people are watching you hit your first shot. Yikes! With very little warm up and very little knowledge of what's coming up, you are expected to hit the perfect shot - you only get one try and that's it. If that were me, I'd probably top the ball and throw up at the same time I'd be so nervous.

Talking about feeling "naked on the first tee!"

Gayle

I have felt the same for awhile now. The VERY talented young players (some without the benefit of wealthy parents) have NO performance promotions available on any of the tours you mentioned. The ONLY performance promotion that I am aware of is on the Nationwide Tour.

The fair and right thing to do would be to allow the top performers from these various mini tours a chance to play their way up to the Nationwide Tour.

It kind of stinks watching these players on BB with ZERO chance of getting through q-school or making a PGA cut, get q-school paid for and exemptions, when the guys that might actually take advantage of a "break" are nowhere to be seen on this show.

Just my opinion.

Tim

I can't believe they haven't done that. It would keep me entertained for months. Get some goofs out there with no pretense or ego but plenty of personality and let them hack away.

The NBC version was an embarrassment, the 10 handicap trying to break 100 on a US Open setup. They picked a clown who wouldn't even use a driver and basically gave up on showing him once it was obvious he had no chance, which was after 7 or 8 holes. Instead it turned into a drab vehicle for Tony Romo, Matt Lauer and Justin Timberlake. I was ticked. Show the guy we can relate to, scrubbing it around.

Who cares what the gimmick or the prizes are? Obviously it's not a Big Break in terms of advancing to a next level. Give the winner(s) a membership at a nearby fancy club, and some high profile lessons, whatever.

Maybe TGC worries it would be making a mockery of the sport. Garbage. You need a sense of humor about yourself. The key is making sure it's on a challenging course so all the glorious weaknesses are magnified.

I really dont know how good these players are but I heard one of the guys say that another male was having a pretty good year on a mini tour- so if thats true it would be tough for the average 5 handicap to hang some of them. Bottom line is I didn't see any greats from the little golf they showed but lets be honest in saying that no matter how good you are walking out to a 210-220 yard long iron for your first swing of the day is tough. I mean without a warmup or very little solid swings its going to be tough to hit a green from that distance.

I agree with you - let's laugh at ourselves. I'd love to see a "hacker hangout" on GC. Network TV makes fun of people all the time and the ratings are high - let's do a "you're on candid camera" golf show. Can you imagine, the shots, outfits, attitudes and laughable times we would have?

There's a good interview with Bri Vega on the Duramed Futures Tour website today. Most of the questions deal with her Big Break experience and what she took from it. I'll paste one section:

http://duramedfuturestour.com/NewsRoom.asp...es/FS101308.ssi

DFT: Winning the "Big Break" brings a new "celebrity" aspect that all winners have to deal with. What did you do well and not so well? Any do-overs?

Vega: I think I did pretty well with it. I still meet a lot of die-hard "Big Break" fans and Golf Channel addicts. I really like the little kids and how the show makes them want to play golf. On the other side, it can get frustrating. I enjoy meeting people, but sometimes they have really random comments during tournament play. One guy walked up to me out in the fairway and said, "You don't look nearly as fat as you do on TV," and I was like, "OK … I'm going to go putt now."

This show has become difficult to watch. The golf for the most part is very average, but that's ok. What I can't stand is that most of these people are not nearly as good as they think they are. They come across as such tools. They seem to be more concerned with their fashion sense instead of their golf. Are they really playing for a PGA/LPGA exemption?

Fashion sense? Did you see the lime green outfit Dave had on. I almost wished it was the 1960's and I had a black and white TV with really bad reception - LOL! What a scary site that was! I had to ask Michael about it when I chatted with him tonight, along with his less than stellar performance on that train crash par 3.

Tomorrow...Amber, Haymes and Andrea join the party.

Gayle

While I have enjoyed the previous big breaks, this inception of the show is a big joke. If anyone took a few minutes to look at the bios on the BBX web site, they would see that none of these groups have what it takes to contend with true professionals in a PGA/LPGA event.

Let's look at some of the contestants:

David who is a "Golf Entertainer". He really taped an episode wearing that outfit

Who in their right mind would ever take a lesson from Michael as a Head Golf Pro Does anyone think that a real golf pro would have ever played a hole as bad as he played that hackfest. That was the work of a 25-handicap, not a golf pro.

Hugo is on the Gateway Tour. The way he played, he's going to be there a while.

Otis is another "Golf Professional" who "has yet to play on a professional tour". I applaud the fact he's one of 6 African-American PGA Professionals in the Atlanta area; however, teaching golf and playing in tournaments are 2 totally different animals.

James given his tutelage as a teammate of Matt Every and Camilo Villegas at the University of Florida surprises me with his horrible play. I don't see much out of him.

As for the women, again no one is standing out to state that they are of a LPGA caliber. Amber can't be taken seriously enough as she describes how a potential sponsor hit on her. Going to be a while before we see this Prange at the top stage. Ashley had at least some game which showed on Big Break V.

While not an exceptional player, I am glad to see Rachel give back to the community working with kids on The First Tee.

I'll keep watching, but I'm highly disappointed in this bunch.

Exactly! You have to put a lot of thought and planning into wearing something like that. It screams "look at me!"

I did check the BB Web site the other day and noticed one of the competitors, Sally Dee, is from my hometown.





3JACK

Looks like another BB like the others. While entertaining, what hits me every time on this show is that there is an obvious reason why even the best of the competitors have not made it -- none of them have tour quality putting. Even the BB Mesquite which was probably the best group of players IMO, they cannot consistently make putts.

The last couple weeks of BB X looks like the same formula -- (1) first couple weeks, weed out the chaff, (2) next couple weeks, a combination of o.k. ball striking by the better players and the inability to make the recovery putt from those eliminated then (3) no one makes any putts and someone is

Like every BB, the first couple weeks usually has some flat unwatchable golf. I think my wife is tired of me yelling at the TV when we get the inevitable successive skulls, chunks, and deplorable putting.

I'll keep watching, but until we get someone who can really putt, they will get their 15 minutes and move on.

The Show is called Big Break...not Future PGA Stars. Truly talented prospects have other means of getting on tour. The formula seems to pick characters more so for their personality to play the villian or the obnoxious contestant rather than pure golfing ability.

In some aspects it works though...the Golf Channel always tag players on the scrolling scoreboard as "The Big Break's Tommy 2 Gloves or The Big Break's Kim Welch". Most of these players get exposure they would have never received but for their appearance on BB. Steve Duemeg even landed a recurring role on the 19th hole, and other contestants have co-hosted GC shows.