Prime Video will broadcast the revived PGA Tour event “The Skins Game,” the streaming service and the Tour announced, bringing the high‑stakes, head‑to‑head exhibition back to a national audience.The deal signals Prime Video’s deeper push into live golf coverage and aims to pair traditional telecasts with digital features to broaden the event’s appeal.
LIV golfers have been granted a clear qualification route to the Open, with revised criteria allowing tour members to compete via designated events and exemptions, reshaping access to golf’s oldest major
As LIV players prepare to take advantage of the revised qualification route into The Open, practical planning must emphasize links-specific fundamentals that translate into lower scores on firm, windy courses. Start with equipment and setup: check loft and bounce of your wedges (4°-6° less bounce for firm sand),choose a ball with slightly lower spin on long irons to resist wind drift,and confirm you carry no more than 14 clubs in your bag in line with R&A rules. For setup, position the ball one ball-width back of your normal iron position to de-loft the club on approach shots, and adopt a slightly narrower stance to improve balance into the wind. These baseline changes-grounded in gear selection, ball flight control, and setup-create reliable starting points for players across skill levels aiming to translate tournament-style practice into match performance.
Refining full-swing mechanics for links and major-championship conditions requires measurable, repeatable cues.To lower trajectory and maintain distance control, adopt a shallower swing plane and a forward shaft lean of approximately 1-2 inches at address, with an attack angle for irons near -1° to -3° (meaning a slightly descending blow). Progress with this step-by-step drill sequence: 1) place an alignment stick in the ground parallel to your target to monitor swing plane; 2) hit 30 slow-motion half-swings focusing on keeping the hands ahead at impact; 3) progress to full swings while recording clubface orientation to stay within ±2° of square at impact. Common mistakes include over-rotating the wrists (causing a late, open face) and standing too tall (losing low-point control); correct these by using an impact bag for short sets and a towel under the armpits to promote connected body rotation.
Short-game technique becomes decisive in links and major contexts, and instruction should cover a range of shots from bump-and-runs to delicate bunker escapes. For bump-and-runs, use a 7-8 iron, play the ball back in stance one ball-width, and make a three-quarter stroke that lands the ball 10-15 yards before the hole to allow roll. For wedge play, calibrate landing zones: a 60° wedge should typically land 15-25 yards short of the hole on a 30-40 yard pitch to account for spin and roll. Practice with these unnumbered drills to build feel:
- Landing-zone ladder: place towels at 10-yard increments and aim to hit 10 balls to each towel from varied distances.
- Clock drill: 8 balls around the hole at 3-6 foot increments to improve lower-body control and stroke repeatability.
- Bunker rhythm drill: 20 swings with a 3-arc tempo, entering sand 1-2 inches behind the ball and finishing with an open face 10°-20° for higher lip shots.
Address common faults-deceleration through impact, too much wrist flip-by focusing on acceleration and keeping weight on the front foot through the stroke.
Course-management lessons gleaned from the return of The Skins Game on prime Video are immediately applicable: broadcast-style analysis highlights when to play aggressively and when to prioritize par preservation.Use a stepwise decision framework on the course: 1) assess wind direction and strength in mph and convert it to club selection (e.g.,add 1 club per 10-12 mph into the wind); 2) evaluate the pin position and choose a target that leaves a comfortable wedge for the second shot rather than chasing tight pins; 3) factor in lies and run-up potential-on firm fairways,favor bump-and-runs or lower trajectories. for competitive play, set measurable strategic targets such as hit 60%+ GIR in calm conditions or aim for an up-and-down rate of 50%+ from 20-40 yards to improve scoring consistency.
convert instruction into measurable enhancement with structured practice plans and mental routines. Beginners should aim for 15-20 minutes of warm-up focusing on the grip, alignment, and a 10-shot short game routine before moving to full shots; intermediate and low-handicap players should use launch-monitor metrics-carry distance, spin rate, clubhead speed-as weekly KPIs and perform targeted sessions (e.g., 3 x 10 rep swing-speed drills, 4 x 8 landing-zone wedge sessions).Troubleshooting and setup checkpoints to keep in your bag include:
- Grip pressure: a consistent 4-5/10 tension to encourage clubhead release.
- Address checklist: feet shoulder-width, ball position relative to club, spine tilt, and relaxed shoulders.
- Common correction: if you push shots, close the clubface slightly at setup; if you pull, check alignment and ball position.
Additionally,incorporate mental-game exercises from televised matchplay-visualization of shot shape,breathing routines before pressure shots,and rehearsal of penalty-relief rules under the R&A-to ensure technical skills perform under tournament conditions. By combining equipment choices, quantified swing changes, targeted short-game drills, and on-course strategy informed by expert broadcast analysis, players at every level can convert the new qualification pathway into competitive readiness for links-style championship golf.
Prime Video secures broadcast rights and outlines multi-platform coverage strategy,recommending prime-time live windows and on-demand highlights
In a progress that places instruction at the centre of broadcast viewing,Prime Video’s multi-platform coverage of the PGA Tour’s return of The Skins Game offers golfers a new way to study high-pressure decision-making in real time.Coaches and players should use the live prime-time windows to observe shot selection and tempo under tournament conditions, and then switch to on-demand highlights for frame-by-frame analysis. For technical study,prioritize down-the-line and face-on camera angles,and use slow-motion replays at 60-240 fps were available to inspect wrist hinge and clubface orientation at impact. In practice, pause the clip at setup and impact, note differences from your own swing sequence, and record a comparison video from the same angles to create a reproducible training file for weekly review.
Essential swing mechanics remain the foundation for scoring,so use broadcast examples to reinforce setup,rotation,and impact principles. Begin with the setup checklist: stance width roughly shoulder-width for irons (wider for driver), knee flex 10-15°, and spine tilt 15-25° away from the target for a neutral ball flight. Progress through the swing by training a controlled shoulder turn – aim for approximately 80-100° of shoulder rotation for a full swing – and a weight transfer that moves from 60:40 on the front foot at impact to encourage compression. To ingrain these patterns, use the following drills during range sessions:
- Alignment rod gate: place two rods to force a square clubhead path through impact
- towel-under-arm drill: keep the lead arm connected to the torso to improve rotation
- Impact bag: train a strong, forward shaft lean and compress the ball on short swings
These drills are scalable for beginners (short, deliberate repetitions) and low handicappers (higher tempo, variable club selection).
Short-game and putting mastery often separate scores at the highest level; broadcasts of the skins Game can be mined for pro-level green reading, pace control, and bunker play. For chipping and pitching, prioritize a consistent landing zone: use a landing spot 10-15 yards from the hole for pitch shots inside 60-80 yards to control roll-out. Putting practice should focus on speed and breaking putts with measurable targets – for example, practice three distances (6 ft, 20 ft, 35 ft) and aim to lag to within 3 feet on 80% of long putts. Try these drills:
- Clock drill: 8 balls around the hole at 3, 5, and 8 feet to build stroke repeatability
- Landing-spot drill: mark a patch of green and pitch to that spot from 30-50 yards
- One-handed bunker swings: improve feel and sand contact by using the lead hand only
Watch on-demand highlights to see how pros handle uphill speed changes and tight pin placements, then mimic those green-reading decisions on your home course.
Shot shaping and equipment choices are tactical tools; broadcast coverage lets you connect visual intent to measurable swing adjustments. To create a controlled draw,slightly close the clubface 2-4° relative to the target line and move the ball position marginally forward (about half an inch) while maintaining an inside-out path. For a controlled fade,open the clubface 2-3° and place the ball slightly back in stance. On attack angles, note that professional drivers often achieve a slightly positive angle of attack (+1 to +3°) while mid-irons typically compress with a negative attack angle (around -2 to -4°); replicate these by adjusting tee height and ball position. Useful shaping drills include:
- Toe-up/face-control swings with slow tempo to feel face orientation
- Targeted fairway drills that force a specific path using alignment sticks
- Club-selection exercises where you play the same yardage with different clubs to understand trajectory and roll
Consider shaft flex,loft and lie adjustments,and ball choice as variables that fine-tune the outcome – consult a certified fitter for quantifiable changes (e.g., loft +1° or lie +2° adjustments).
strong course management and the mental game convert technical skills into lower scores; the skins format is an ideal broadcast scenario to study risk-reward under prize pressure.Use live windows to observe when professionals choose conservative par strategies versus aggressive green-seeking approaches on reachable par-5s or short par-4s, and translate that into an in-round checklist: assess wind direction and speed (estimate in mph), identify firm/soft green conditions, note pin location quadrant, then decide between aggressiveness and percentage play. To operationalize this, follow a pre-shot routine and a decision matrix:
- Play safe: aim for the middle of the green when wind >15 mph or when a tucked pin is present
- Be aggressive: when a skin or hole value is high and you have 75% confidence in club and shot shape
- Troubleshooting: if you miss fairways consistently, reduce driver usage by one loft and focus on wedge approach proximity
Set measurable goals such as improving greens-in-regulation by 10 percentage points or raising scrambling to 60% within 12 weeks, and use Prime Video highlights to create a clip library of decision-making examples you can emulate on the course.Together, these broadcast-enabled study habits and on-course routines deliver actionable improvement for beginners through low-handicap players.
Production plans promise immersive viewing with enhanced graphics and player mic usage, advise targeted testing during early rounds
prime Video’s return to carrying the PGA Tour exhibition offers more than spectator entertainment; enhanced on-screen graphics and player mic audio create a live laboratory for instruction.Broadcasters will display real-time metrics such as launch angle (degrees), clubhead speed (mph), and spin rate (rpm), which teachers can use to prescribe immediate changes. For applied testing,follow a simple protocol on the first two holes: establish a baseline (10 shots with a consistent setup),change one variable (e.g., ball position or tee height), then measure the effect on carry distance and dispersion. this method produces actionable feedback-if a 2° flatter lie or 1.5° stronger face reduces a 25-yard right miss to within 10 yards of your target, that is a repeatable adjustment you can implement under pressure.
Next, refine swing mechanics by isolating fundamentals in clear, reproducible steps that both beginners and low handicappers can use. Start with setup: neutral grip, feet shoulder-width, ball position (for a 7-iron, center to slightly forward; for driver, tee so the ball’s equator is roughly 1.5-2.0 inches above the ground), and a spine angle that allows a full shoulder turn. Then work rotational mechanics: aim for approximately 90° shoulder turn on the backswing and 45° hip turn, promoting stored energy and correct sequencing.Common faults-over-the-top downswing and early wrist release-are corrected with targeted drills:
- Pause-at-top drill: pause 1-2 seconds at the top to ensure correct plane and sequencing.
- Impact bag or towel drill: promotes proper release and a square clubface at impact.
- alignment stick drill: place a stick along intended plane to ingrain correct takeaway and path.
Transitioning from full swing to the short game, the broadcast’s close-up mics and slow-motion graphics can reveal subtle tempo and face rotation errors that cost strokes around the green. Prioritize three skills: lob/pitch distance control (using 50-60° wedges, practice varying backswing length with target yardages: 10 yds = 20° backswing, 30 yds = 60° backswing), chip/run proficiency (use lower-lofted clubs, ball back in stance, hands ahead), and putting stroke consistency (pendulum motion, face control). Useful drills include:
- Clock drill for wedges: 8 balls to 8, 15, 30 yards to build yardage feel.
- Gate drill for putting: narrow the gate to force a square face through impact.
- Bunker-to-green drill: practice landing zone control by targeting specific sand-contact points.
Note: calibrate putting against the course’s stimp speed (typical PGA greens range 10-12 ft). On early rounds, test one green-speed setting mentally-take two putts from 20 feet to confirm pace before committing to aggressive lines later in the round.
Strategic course management and controlled shot shaping are the bridge between technique and scoring. Use Prime Video’s shot-tracing graphics to analyze preferred approach angles and risk corridors: work out when to play toward the fat side of the green, how wind alters your effective yardage (+1 club for a 10-15 mph headwind), and when to aim for a favorable side of the fairway to access the proper angle to the hole.For shot shape, remember the technical relationship: a closed clubface relative to the swing path produces a draw, while an open face produces a fade; small adjustments of 2-4° in face angle or slight inside/outside path changes can create reliable curvature. Troubleshooting checklist:
- If you consistently miss left, check grip pressure and alignment.
- If you have little curvature when needed, practice path-to-face drills to create a controlled in-to-out or out-to-in path.
- When wind is a factor, rehearse low, penetrating shots by narrowing your stance and adding 2° less loft at setup.
assemble a practice plan and mental routine that produces measurable improvement and transfers to tournament play. structure sessions with clear targets: 100 quality ball-striking reps (monitor dispersion to within 20 yards for iron shots), 50 wedges to varied yardages, and 50 putts split 40% short-range, 40% mid-range, 20% long-range.Equipment checks should include loft and lie verification and matching shaft flex to swing speed (driver speeds under 90 mph generally benefit from regular flex). For the mental game, establish a 7-10 second pre-shot routine and a breathing cadence to steady tempo-listen to player mic examples on the broadcast to model effective routines. By combining media-driven insights, step-by-step drills, and targeted early-round testing, golfers of all levels can convert practice into lower scores and smarter on-course decision-making.
Advertising and sponsorship approach ties Skins format to branded micro-moments,suggest tiered inventory for value and engagement
In a tactical return that pairs instruction with spectacle,Prime Video‘s broadcast of the PGA Tour’s revived Skins format offers live,clip-ready moments that instructors and students can use to refine green reading and putting technique. Start with a systematic pre-putt routine: read low-to-high, check the slope at the high point, and note grain direction. In practical terms, align your feet and shoulders to your intended line, set the putter face square to that line, and take one practice stroke focusing on tempo rather than speed. For measurable checkpoints,use a 10‑foot putt test: aim to lag inside 3 feet from the hole on uphill or breaking putts 80% of the time in practice. Drills to reinforce this include:
- gate alignment drill using tees to ensure square face at impact;
- speed control drill-putt to a towel 10-12 feet away to train pace;
- video clip comparison-capture your putt and compare to a Pro Skins clip from Prime Video to spot differences in setup and stroke.
These micro-moments from broadcast replays create immediate visual models for players of all levels to emulate and measure against.
Progressing from the green, the full swing fundamentals demand precision in setup and mechanics. Begin with setup checkpoints: stance shoulder-width, ball position centered for mid‑irons and forward by ~1-1.5 ball widths for driver,and a slight spine tilt of 5-7°. For technical targets, aim for a shoulder turn of approximately 90° (men) or modified to physical ability, and a hip rotation near 45°, producing a consistent coil. Transition into the swing with these drills:
- half-swing tempo drill using a metronome at 60-70 bpm to control transition;
- impact bag or towel drill to feel forward shaft lean at impact (hands ahead of ball);
- alignment-sticks drill to validate swing plane and body line.
Common mistakes include over‑casting the wrists and early extension; correct these by rehearsing slow-motion swings and focusing on maintaining the wrist hinge through the downswing. As a measurable goal, seek consistent clubhead speed and strike location: such as, center-face contact on 8 out of 10 shots in a range session indicates reliable technique that transfers to scoring.
Short game proficiency is crucial for scoring, especially under skins-format pressure where one hole can change outcomes. For chips and pitches, adopt a weight bias forward (60-70%), hands ahead of the ball at address, and use the loft and bounce of the club to control launch and roll. As a notable example,a 50‑yard pitch should land approximately 20-25 yards from the hole to allow predictable rollout,while a 30‑yard pitch uses a higher land‑and‑stop trajectory.Practice drills:
- landing‑spot drill-place towels at incremental distances (10, 20, 30 yards) and aim to land the ball on the designated towel;
- circle‑around‑the‑flag within 10 feet to improve proximity and scoring shots;
- bunker control routine-focus on entering sand 1-2 inches behind the ball and accelerating through the sand, not the ball, to use the club’s bounce correctly.
Troubleshoot common errors such as scooping (ball flies thin) by moving weight further forward and accelerating through impact; advanced options include opening the clubface 10-30° for higher trajectory shots when required by pin position.
Course management and shot shaping should be taught as decision-making skills as much as technique. Use televised Skins moments on Prime Video to illustrate how pros choose angles, not just distance-observe how players bail out to the center of the green when a pin is tucked behind a false front. For practical request, adopt rules of thumb: when the pin is tucked on the left and the wind is right-to-left, aim 6-12 yards right depending on wind strength; similarly, add or subtract one club for every 10-15 mph of headwind/tailwind. to shape shots, coach the clubface-path relationship: a small inside-out path with a slightly closed face promotes a draw, while an outside-in path with an open face promotes a fade. Drills and decision routines include:
- target-line shaping drill-use two alignment sticks to create a swing gate for fade/draw practice;
- wind‑reading exercise-observe flags and tree motion on practice days and note club changes.
These structured choices reduce emotional swings under pressure and improve scoring consistency.
synthesize technique, practice, and mental game into a measurable, sponsor-ready content plan that benefits players and broadcast partners alike. Create tiered, branded micro‑moments for Prime Video-short 15-45 second clips that focus on a single teaching point (e.g., “alignment for a 7‑iron” or “3‑step pre‑putt routine”)-and pair them with longer instructional segments for paid inventory. For individual improvement, set clear benchmarks: reduce three-putts by 50% in eight weeks, lower average strokes gained around the green by 0.5 per round,or tighten fairway hit dispersion to within a 15‑yard range. Weekly practice plan examples:
- 2×30‑minute putting sessions focusing on speed and break;
- 3×45‑minute range sessions with a 60:40 ratio of target-based shot shaping to swing mechanics;
- 1 short-game session emphasizing landing‑spot drills and bunker control.
Moreover, accommodate different learning styles by offering visual (broadcast clips), kinesthetic (on-course drills), and verbal (coach cues) formats, while integrating mental strategies-breathing, visualization, and pre-shot routines-to maintain composure in skins-style pressure. Together, these elements provide a broadcast-friendly, instructional roadmap that improves technique, decision-making, and scoring across all skill levels.
Viewer experience innovations include interactive overlays and real-time stats, recommend gradual rollout and clear user guidance
Prime Video’s return of the PGA Tour’s The Skins Game offers a rare chance to pair live broadcast drama with practical instruction by layering interactive overlays and real-time stats onto play-by-play coverage. To avoid overwhelming viewers,producers should recommend a gradual rollout of features - for example,enabling basic overlays (yardage,wind vector,pin location) in the first weeks,then introducing advanced telemetry (spin rate,launch angle,clubhead speed) after viewer tutorials are published. As a first step-by-step approach for viewers: toggle on distance and wind during live holes, watch replays with spin/landing maps, then enable slope/contour overlays when studying putts. These controlled additions let beginners learn simple decision cues while low handicappers exploit nuanced data for shot selection and practice planning.
Fundamental swing mechanics should be taught alongside the broadcast data to translate numbers into repeatable motion. At setup, instruct players to adopt a neutral grip, shoulder alignment parallel to the target line, and a spine angle maintained throughout the swing; for most irons, use a ball position center to just forward of center and a stance width about shoulder-width. weight distribution should be explicit: 60/40 (front/rear) at impact for short irons, and nearer to 50/50 at address for full swings with the driver ball placed approximately 1.5 ball diameters inside the left heel. Use these drills to reinforce alignment and plane:
- Alignment-stick routine: two sticks for target line and shoulder line
- Mirror/phone-record: check spine angle and shoulder turn (aim for ~90° shoulder turn on a full backswing)
- Tempo metronome drill: 3:1 backswing-to-downswing rhythm (three counts back, one down)
- Impact-bag drill: feel compressed hands-through-balls position
These checkpoints help students of all levels convert live telemetry (e.g., launch angle and clubhead speed shown on air) into measurable swing changes.
The short game benefits immediately from real-time overlays that display target landing zones and green slope percentages; commentators and instructors should explain how to use that data for club and face-angle selection. For chips and pitches, emphasize landing-spot practice – pick a spot 8-20 feet short of the hole depending on ball roll and green firmness, and use a swing length that produces the required carry: as an example, a 50° wedge is commonly used for a 30-40 yard lob with 30-40° of face opening when needed. Putting instruction should reference the broadcast’s contour map: read the grade in percent (a 3-4% slope can break a putt noticeably), match to green speed (a Stimp reading of 10-11 is fast), and practice these drills:
- Gate drill for consistent stroke path
- Distance ladder: 5, 10, 20, 30 feet for tempo control
- Bump-and-run progression: use lower-lofted clubs to hone roll-out control
Address common mistakes – decelerating through impact on chips, flipping with the wrists, or misreading mid-green slopes – and prescribe corrective reps (e.g., 50 controlled chips to a small towel target focusing on accelerating through the ball).
Course management and shot shaping are where broadcast overlays can directly improve scoring. When Prime video highlights hole strategy, instructors should teach viewers to interpret the overlay as a decision-support tool rather than a directive: identify safe bail-out areas, preferred angles into the green, and how wind vectors shown on-screen alter carry – as a rule of thumb, a 10 mph crosswind can move the ball laterally by roughly 10-15 yards on a mid-iron shot, and headwinds can cost 10-15% of carry distance.Step-by-step on-course strategy: assess lie and stance, choose a target zone (favoring center of the green when pin is tucked), select club for expected carry plus a contingency, and execute a committed pre-shot routine. Practice this decision flow during range sessions by simulating hole scenarios: pick a target at the range and impose the same constraints (wind, forced carry, pin position) then evaluate outcomes by tracking GIR and proximity to hole metrics.
clear user guidance and staged feature access will maximize instructional value and minimize cognitive overload for learners. Producers and coaches should provide on-screen tutorials and downloadable checklists that explain icons, data units (yards, mph, degrees), and how overlays relate to Rules of Golf situations – for example, using a penalty area overlay to identify relief options under Rule 17 (taking relief and stroke-and-distance alternatives). For practical adoption, recommend these troubleshooting checkpoints:
- Start with a single overlay (yardage) and add one new metric weekly
- Use clip-based study: save two-minute segments from Prime Video and practice the recommended drills within 48 hours
- Track measurable goals: aim to increase GIR by 10% in 8 weeks, reduce three-putts by 0.5 per round, or improve up-and-down rate from 30 to 60% from 30 yards
Additionally, cater to different learning styles by offering narrated breakdowns for auditory learners, slow-motion overlays for visual learners, and on-course drill templates for kinesthetic learners. When combined with breathing and pre-shot routine coaching to manage pressure, these broadcast-enabled tools can convert televised insight into on-course performance gains for beginners through low handicappers alike.
Talent and commentary lineup to blend PGA veterans and fresh voices, recommend diversity in analyst roles for broader audience appeal
Broadcasters should pair seasoned PGA veterans with fresh, instructional voices to create a commentary team that doubles as a teaching resource when Prime Video presents the return of the PGA Tour’s The Skins Game. On air, veterans can provide instant, high-level strategy-explaining why a player chose a low punch into a downwind par‑4-while younger analysts and teaching pros break those moments into actionable mechanics viewers can practice at the range. Transitioning from description to instruction, commentators can use slow‑motion replays and TrackMan data to highlight clubhead speed ranges (e.g., 85-115 mph for amateur men), carry distances, and spin figures, then translate those into clear takeaways: how a 3-5° swing path change creates a controlled fade or draw and when that shape is the right course management decision under Skins pressure.
At the technical level, on‑air instruction should begin with fundamentals that apply to every golfer. Start with setup: grip pressure, stance width, ball position and spine angle of roughly 20° from vertical to preserve rotation and avoid reverse pivot. Then progress to the takeaway and transition: maintain a connected shoulder turn near 80-90° for full swings (men) and hinge the wrists progressively-less hinge for chips, more for full shots. To translate commentary into practice, coaches on the panel should prescribe measurable drills and warmups viewers can replicate, emphasizing tempo, path and impact rather than dramatic swing changes mid‑round.
- Setup checkpoints: club shaft angle aimed 5-10° inside target line at address for irons; feet shoulder‑width for mid‑irons; ball centered to forward for long clubs.
- swing drills: 50 slow‑motion swings at 60% speed with an alignment stick along the target line; 30 swings with an impact bag focusing on square clubface at contact.
- Measurable goals: reduce side‑spin by 20% in two weeks; increase consistent strike percentage inside 150 yards by 15% after six practice sessions.
Short game coverage must be equally practical. Analysts should demonstrate a sequence: read,select loft/trajectory,and execute a pre‑shot routine that includes visualization. for chips and pitches,recommend specific loft/open‑face choices-use a 56° wedge with 10-20° of face opening for high flop shots around the green,and a lower lofted 48-52° for bump‑and‑run. For putting, explain how pace controls break: keep blade rotation minimal, accelerate through impact, and practice a ladder drill for distance control.On‑air examples from The skins Game provide ideal short‑game scenarios-showing a player choosing a two‑putt for a safe skin or risking an aggressive chip for the whole hole-to teach viewers how to weigh reward against the hole‑by‑hole stakes.
- Putting ladder: make 5 putts from 6, 12 and 20 feet with consistent stroke length; repeat twice per session.
- Pitching sequence: 10 reps from 30, 50 and 80 yards focusing on landing spot and roll‑out.
- Green reading: walk the fall line, note grain and moisture; practice 5 reads per green and compare to ball roll.
commentary should teach course management and shot‑shaping with clear, playable steps that reflect rules and match conditions. Start by assessing lie, wind and firmness: on firm fairways, prefer a lower penetrating flight and play to the green’s high side; in gusty crosswinds, aim 10-20 yards left or right depending on wind direction and use a 3-5° path adjustment to create a controllable fade or draw. Analysts should also prescribe progressive practice plans tied to handicap goals-for example, a 12‑week program to shave three strokes that prescribes 2×/week 30-45 minute short‑game sessions, 1×/week 60‑minute range work and one nine‑hole tactical practice round. When applicable, Prime Video can overlay live shot probability and club selection stats so viewers learn not only how to hit a shot but why it was chosen under Skins incentives.
- Shot‑shaping drill: 40 balls aiming at a narrow target, alternating draws and fades in 5‑ball sets to train face‑to‑path control.
- Course play checklist: identify bailout areas, ideal pin approaches, and two conservative options before each tee shot.
- Weather adaptation: practice low punch shots from 40-120 yards into headwinds to maintain trajectory and distance control.
To broaden audience appeal, production should assemble a diverse panel combining teaching pros, former tour winners, data analysts and personalities who can explain biomechanics, rules and strategy in plain language.Each analyst should have a clear role-mechanics coach, on‑course strategist, statistics interpreter or mental‑game advisor-so viewers receive layered instruction: technical fixes, situational tactics and psychological routines to perform under pressure. For teachers instructing varied abilities, offer multiple approaches: a beginner’s 10‑minute pre‑round routine to groove fundamentals, and an advanced diagnostic sequence using swing video and launch monitor data. Conclude every segment with troubleshooting steps and measurable checkpoints so golfers can practice with purpose and track progress, turning broadcast insights from The Skins Game into week‑by‑week, score‑lowering improvement.
- Troubleshooting: if consistent slices persist,check grip neutralization,swing path and clubface at impact; aim to reduce open face by small increments over 100‑ball practice sessions.
- Mental routine: three deep breaths and a positive target image before every shot; note outcome and one adjustment between shots.
- Progress tracking: log fairways hit, GIR and up‑and‑down percentage weekly to validate improvement against set targets.
Distribution and subscription implications for PGA Tour fans, recommend bundled offers and introductory trials to boost uptake
Prime Video’s return of the PGA Tour’s The skins Game presents a timely opportunity to package instruction with distribution: broadcasters should offer a 30‑day introductory trial that bundles live event access, a curated “Pro Breakdown” series, and access to an instructional platform that includes coach‑led slow‑motion replays and shot‑tracer overlays.For fans,that means immediate access to frame‑by‑frame swing analysis at up to 240 fps,on‑demand segments that isolate setup fundamentals,and interactive telestration tools so amateurs can mirror pros’ mechanics in practice. To boost uptake, distributors can promote a starter bundle-Prime Video + PGA Tour Live + one month of a coaching app with three 30‑minute virtual lessons-priced as a time‑limited entry offer to lower the barrier for new subscribers while delivering measurable instruction value.
Televised matches should be used as live coaching clinics. Broadcasters can break a professional’s swing into actionable steps: address, takeaway, transition, impact, and follow‑through, with specific metrics such as shoulder turn ~85-100° on full swings and a recommended spine angle checklist. Viewers should be guided to pause the replay at the top of the backswing to assess wrist hinge and shaft angle, then replicate the same positions using an alignment rod and mirror. Practice routine recommendations:
- Drill: Mirror‑top drill – 10 slow reps holding the top position for 3 seconds to groove timing.
- Drill: Impact bag – 20 strikes focusing on a square face at impact to train compression.
- drill: One‑plane vs two‑plane swings – 30 swings each to feel path differences and decide which suits body type.
Short game and course management segments should translate televised strategy into green‑side execution. Using examples from the Skins format-where aggressive lines often pay off-coaches should show how to play a 40‑yard pitch to a tight pin: select a landing zone 10-15 yards past the hole, use a near‑neutral bounce sand wedge, and accelerate through impact to avoid fat contact. Setup checkpoints include:
- Weight: 60/40 forward at address for clean contact
- Ball position: slightly back of center for lower‑trajectory bump‑and‑run shots
- Loft management: use less loft and more speed to keep a ball below gusting winds
Coaches should also present measurable short‑game goals-e.g., reduce three‑putts by 30% in 8 weeks-paired with drills such as 50‑ball short‑game circuits and pressure putting routines modeled after televised pressure situations.
Shot shaping and situational play can be taught directly from pro examples on Prime Video. When a pro bends a 170‑yard approach around a tree, commentators can quantify the move: open the face 2-4° and swing along a slightly out‑to‑in path (~5-10°) to produce a controlled fade, or close the face and swing in‑to‑out to produce a draw with a 10-20 yard lateral shape at that distance. Practical drills include low‑flight work by moving the ball back in stance and three‑quarter swing progressions to dial trajectory control. For course strategy, broadcasters should simulate real conditions-wind from 12-15 mph, firm fairways-and advise club selection and landing angles accordingly so viewers can replicate decisions on their home course.
combine instruction with subscription conversion mechanics that respect the learning curve: offer tiered bundles (basic live access, premium with coach feedback, elite with in‑person lesson vouchers) and a conversion funnel that ties trial metrics to improvement. Provide new subscribers with an initial assessment (video upload of three swings), a 4‑week practice plan with weekly measurable targets, and follow‑up analytics showing strokes‑gained improvements. Troubleshooting lists for common errors-casting, early extension, and poor alignment-should be included in the subscriber dashboard along with corrective drills.By linking broadcast highlights from the Skins Game to structured practice plans, measurable targets, and bite‑sized coaching content, distributors can both improve fans’ games and increase long‑term subscriber retention.
Q&A
Q&A: Prime Video to broadcast return of PGA Tour’s “The Skins Game”
Q: What was announced?
A: Prime Video and the PGA Tour announced that Prime Video will broadcast the revived edition of “The Skins Game,” the made-for-TV skins-format event that previously ran as an exhibition featuring top players.
Q: What is “The Skins Game”?
A: A made-for-television exhibition in which players compete for prize-money “skins” on each hole; ties carry skins forward. The original event ran for decades as a highlight exhibition outside the regular tour schedule.
Q: When will the revived event air?
A: The broadcast date and full schedule have not been released. Organizers say more details will be announced closer to the event.Q: Who will play in the revived Skins Game?
A: Player names have not been publicly confirmed. The PGA Tour typically invites high-profile stars and fan favorites for exhibition events; final field announcements are expected later.
Q: What is the competition format?
A: Organizers say the event will follow the skins format, though exact field size, number of holes, and prize structure will be detailed in an upcoming release.
Q: Will the broadcast be live and exclusive on Prime Video?
A: Prime Video will carry the event, but the announcement did not yet specify whether the stream will be exclusive, available globally, or accompanied by linear TV partners.
Q: Why is Prime Video involved?
A: The deal reflects Prime Video’s ongoing expansion into live sports streaming and the PGA Tour’s strategy to diversify distribution and create new, fan-friendly event content.Q: How can viewers watch?
A: Viewers should be able to watch on prime Video in markets where the service holds rights. Exact availability, subscription requirements, and broadcast windows will be outlined by Prime Video and the PGA Tour.
Q: What does this mean for traditional broadcasters?
A: The move underscores growing competition for live sports rights from streaming platforms and may signal more event-specific partnerships outside standard broadcast packages.
Q: Where can readers get official updates?
A: Follow official statements from Prime Video and the PGA Tour, and check their websites and press outlets for the full schedule, field, and broadcast details.
Note: The provided web search results did not include a direct release about this announcement; verify specifics from official Prime Video/PGA Tour communications when available.
Prime Video’s move to air The Skins Game signals a high‑profile reboot of the exhibition, marrying golf tradition with streaming reach. Details on format, dates and the broadcast team will be confirmed by Prime Video and the PGA Tour in the coming weeks; fans should watch official channels for updates.
