What do you think about the LPGA making a rule that all golfers speak English?

Question

By next year, all women golfers must speak english or face suspension. The top golfers are Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Korean etc.. Is this rule fair? Why would they do this?

Answer 1

This rule seems ridiculous. The only reason that it is even being discussed is that North American and European female golfers are lagging way behind Asians. KJ Choi and Angel Cabrera are both members of the PGA tour yet they don't speak much English. I don't hear the PGA tour commenting on this.

Is anyone going to more watch golf  because the winner will be able to thank the sponsers in English? Give me a break. I'll bet that 90% of golf fans don't even know which Asian golfers speak English or not.  

Answer 2

Hooray for the LPGA!!!

Answer 3

Probably for the corporate sponsors.

Answer 4

I honestly don't think it's unfair. The way I see it is, if you're in our country making our money, then learning our language is but a minor courtesy you could extend us.

Answer 5

This is an excellent rule. A common language UNITES people. It has been done in Formula 1 Racing for years and works great. The racers give an interview in English; then gives one in their native languages for hometown press.  

Answer 6

The LPGA is an american organization that plays most of its event in the united states.

the LPGA makes money like most sports via television rights.  It also earns income via Pro-Am tournaments.  These are the end users of the LPGA product.

The LPGA must make itself as marketable to its end user as possible.  If players can't speak english they are;

unrelatable to an american audience / interviewer

poor spokespeople for the tour or a sponsor

unable to engage american amateurs in tournaments

Answer 7

The article I read said they would probably not actually suspend a player, but work with them to improve their English.  The LPGA needs to continue to grow its marketing and entertainment appeal and that means having all the pros being representatives and spokespeople to pump up the tour.  That means being able to speak English.  Se Ri Pak was quoted in the article as saying this was a good idea.  

Answer 8

The LPGA is an option for these foreign women because there is more money here than there is elsewhere. Where do people think the money comes from ? It comes from both the fans and the sponsors. It is awfully hard for these women to create a following in this country - thus making it a hard sell to the fans and sponsors - if they cannot communicate with the fan base. Without the ability to communicate a bit, the players are nameless, character-less figures hitting a ball. It not the God-given right of anyone to collect the bounty of the LPGA without having anything to offer to the selling of the sport.

One of the big sources of income is the Pro-am held at the tournaments.  It gives sponsors an opportunity to mingle with the athletes and propels them to spend the dough on the sport.

It is economics and has nothing to do with racism or xenophobia

Answer 9

It is about time that this happened!!!!!  Foreign players want to come to the United States of America and earn a living yet are unable to communicate with the Sponsors who put on the tournament.  I can see why the Sponsors would want this rule.  Foreign players have to use translators to speak to the media.  It just turns viewers off watching the LPGA...The LPGA is a business and it wants higher TV ratings and more money from sponsors.  This should have happened a long time ago.  If a player wants to make a living in the United States of America they should have to speak English, regardless of occupation.    

Answer 10

the LPGA is almost completely american. i think its fine