Maginnes: Inside the media love-hate relationship

By John Maginnes, PGATOUR.COM Contributor

AKRON, Ohio -- Occasionally, players on the PGA TOUR want to ring the necks of pundits and members of the media. I have been on both sides of it now, and while my neck remains un-rung I have certainly clanged an off-key bell or two in the few years that I have been a member of the media.

John Maginnes

I understand that it is my job, but when I say or write something that may be offensive, I feel bad about it. I spend a lot of time wondering where the blurry line of propriety lies and how close I can get to it without being fired. Sometimes I even butt heads with editors and producers trying to get something across that I think is topical or amusing. Inevitably, I lose these battles.

There was an AP article posted on PGATOUR.COM that quoted Jim Furyk as saying he goes out his way to avoid tournament coverage every week. The simple truth is that players have nothing to gain and plenty to loose if they start letting the media get to them one way or another. Incidentally, to my knowledge, Furyk has never ignored the press. He is a professional, and as such understands that every member of the media has a job to do. I also know that on occasion he is the exception rather than the rule.

What bothers the players more than criticism is when reporter prints something that is factually inaccurate or takes a quote out of context. Remember earlier this year when Ian Poulter found himself in a bit of political bother when he said "If I play to my full potential, it will be just me and Tiger?"

The Englishman managed to do something for a short time that previously had seemed unlikely -- remove the focus from his plumage and place it on his vanity. The fact of the matter is that if he doesn't believe his best stuff challenges Tiger and the other cast of characters at the top of the golf world he should find another line of work. As a player you have to believe, but of course, you don't necessarily have to say it.

Franklin/Getty Images

Ian Poulter meets the press for his pre-tournament conference on Wednesday at Firestone South.

That is why we like so many of the self-deprecating characters on the PGA TOUR. Old-school players like Fuzzy Zoeller won major championships by making us laugh. Then again, he stuck his foot in it once or twice as well. Boo Weekley gets a hard time from the media for being himself. I have defended his naivety numerous times and stand by the simple statement that Boo is Boo.

It has become easier and easier to criticize players because the scrutiny increases with the rising profile of the game. There was a time when only the top players were front and center with the media. Some weeks now, though, there are more members of the media than players in a given field. A rising tide raises all ships -- the problem is that a sinking tide lowers them all, too.

So you will read quotes, accurate or not, from sources and players who in the end have very little impact on the outcome of a tournament. Most of these interviews have less to do with the event than a topic the writer has taken it upon himself to explore and seeks a supporting quote for his premise. The smart players and the fair reporters produce some of the most interesting reading in the game.

While Jim Furyk may not read the papers or weekly magazines there are plenty of players who do. At every tournament, Golfweek, Golf World and Sports Illustrated are brought in bundles to the locker room. And every week if you aren't there early you may not get a copy. Issues that are raised in these magazines are discussed in depth in the locker room.

The simple truth is that if you play the PGA TOUR long enough and well enough you are going to get into some hot water with the media. They are going to question a verbal bogey or a real bogey and back you into a corner. The smart players, the media-savvy players, don't try to go toe-to-toe with the media for one simple reason. The pen is mightier than the putter, but a magic putter will always get that pen back on your side.