Televised golf coverage has evolved massively through the decades. Back in the day you had to be satisfied with catching a glimpse of a few grainy images from the last few holes of a championship, but now you can enjoy comprehensive coverage from start to finish, with high-tech cameras, drones and graphics providing an immersive experience that is a visual feast.
But what has always remained constant is the importance of the voices who narrate the pictures on your screen.
Providing a soundtrack to the shots and iconic moments that we all remember, the best commentators are those who know exactly when and what to say, providing useful insight, engaging analysis, and just the right amount of humour to add a splash of colour to the broadcast.
Which voices do you most look forward to hearing? That was a question we posed in a recent survey to a predominantly UK-based audience, asking them to name their favourite golf commentator, pundit or presenter on TV.
It was a competitive field, as you can imagine, but ten broadcasters stood out above the rest, including one who is sadly no longer with us.
Wayne Riley
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
The clear winner in the mind of the public was the man they call Radar - nicknamed after the M*A*S*H character Radar O'Reilly - who has now spent two decades striding the fairways as an on-course commentator, mostly for Sky Sports. The Australian - winner of the Scottish Open in 1995 - skilfully describes the challenges facing the best players under pressure, which, aligned with a quirky and inimitable style, makes him a consistently enjoyable listen.
Nick Dougherty
Former European Tour player Dougherty retired early from competitive play and turned his attention to broadcasting, ultimately succeeding the unflappable David Livingstone as Sky's face of golf. Leading the presentation of the biggest events alongside offering his own commentary of key moments in the booth, the Englishman has long demonstrated that he's a remarkably slick and skilled operator both behind a microphone and on camera.
Sir Nick Faldo
The six-time major champion was one of the greats of his generation, but given his media reticent personality as a player, few would have imagined that he would transition into broadcasting. However, that is exactly what Faldo accomplished, spending almost two decades with CBS in the United States, but he's also remained a presence on Sky Sports, appearing prominently during their coverage of the Masters and Open, a pair of events that he won on three occasions, with such a depth of experience being unmatched by any other commentator.
Dame Laura Davies
Similarly, Davies has been there and done that, a four-time major winner and Solheim Cup icon. Allowing her personality to shine with regular banter alongside her colleagues on Sky, the English legend has become a key part of the broadcaster's output, featuring in all of the biggest events throughout the season.
Much like Faldo, when Dame Laura speaks, you know it comes from a place of deep knowledge.
Ewen Murray
Sky's voice of golf since the early 1990s, the Scot, who was a professional golfer himself before successfully turning his attention to broadcasting, has been a smooth and authoritative anchor to broadcasts for decades, always knowing the right thing to say and achieving a well-earned status as the template for others to follow.
Murray is someone who makes it seem easier and he has long expertly elevated those around him.
Peter Alliss
Arguably the most celebrated golf commentator in history, Peter Alliss was a formidable player, a Ryder Cup stalwart, before transitioning into broadcasting during the 1960s. Over many decades, particularly on the BBC, and ABC Sports in the United States, Alliss' blend of whimsy, witty humour and deep understanding of the game made him an iconic voice, not without his detractors, but his influence and popularity remains apparent given that he features on this list that was voted for by the public six years after his death at the age of 89.
Ken Brown
Working alongside Alliss for years at the BBC was Ken Brown, a former Ryder Cup star, who was famed for his 'Ken on the Course' series where he would use all manner of props to provide his unique look at the holes of legendary venues like Augusta National and St Andrews.
Finding the perfect balance between seriousness and fun, it's clear to see why Brown has long been such a fan favourite.
Iona Stephen
This Scottish former professional golfer has become an accomplished and popular broadcaster in recent years, both as a presenter and on-course commentator, while also putting together a superb channel on YouTube that features insightful playing VLOGs at the likes of Royal Birkdale, the Old Course and Adare Manor, alongside conversations with leading golf personalities such as Butch Harmon and Billy Foster.
Iona Stephen is extremely good at what she does and is a rising star in the world of golf TV coverage.
Andrew Coltart
Since stepping away from life on tour 15 years ago, the Scot has become a regular and increasingly prominent presence on Sky Sports. Frequently among the main commentators for its PGA Tour and DP World Tour coverage, Coltart's voice is full of character, ideally suited for TV, with a wry sense of humour complementing the other personalities on the broadcast.
Paul McGinley
The 2014 Ryder Cup captain has put together a fine career as a broadcaster on both sides of the Atlantic. Part of Sky Sports during their coverage of the biggest events, both as a pundit and commentator, the Irishman has more recently taken an established role for the Golf Channel during their 'Live From' series at the major championships, where he shares his considered opinions and analysis in often illuminating debates with Brandel Chamblee.
Always a deep thinker, McGinley's perspective is typically fascinating.
Those were the leading ten voices picked by the many golf fans who responded to our survey. Who is your favourite commentator? If you want to see mine - I shared them in this feature article.
