‘I’ll Throw You Out’: Jim Nantz Still Swears by This Career Advice as PGA Championship Kicks Off

After his famous “Hello Friends” at the Masters, Jim Nantz is now gearing up at Quail Hollow for the PGA Championship. With 40 years of experience under his belt, Nantz has seen the world of golf broadcasting evolve significantly. Nantz has seen the event shift from August to May, a change made to avoid conflicts with the NFL season, and while he initially liked the traditional timing, he has adapted to the new schedule. In fact, Nantz notes that every month now holds importance in the golf calendar, with THE PLAYERS, the Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship spread across March to July. Despite the change, Nantz remains committed to his broadcasting principles, guided by a mantra instilled in him by golf legend Frank Chirkinian.

As Nantz prepares to call the action, he revealed one thing that goes on his head when he is covering a golf event: respect the silence of the golf shot. This principle was instilled in him by golf broadcasting legend Frank Chirkinian, who “basically invented golf on TV” during his 40-year tenure as CBS’s golf producer and director. Chirkinian’s mantra was clear: “Don’t ever talk over one of my golf shots, ever — or I’ll throw you out of the tower!” Nantz has carried this principle with him throughout his career, recognizing that “some of the basic tenets of the sport — the quietness of it, the silence over the stroke — that’s always been there.”

Nantz’s experience calling tennis also influenced his approach to golf commentary. He notes that tennis commentary is “actually more spare than golf,” with analysts only chiming in after a point is played to review the action or preview the next moment. Nantz’s role, much like in tennis, is to provide concise commentary, such as calling out scores like “40-30.”

Chirkinian’s influence on Nantz extended beyond just professional guidance, as evidenced by an anecdote where Chirkinian threatened to throw Nantz into the Pacific Ocean for asking a naïve question early in his career, showcasing the legendary producer’s passion for his craft and high standards and Nantz is not much different but he does it with a twist. Nantz’s love for storytelling through commentary is so intense that-

Jim Nantz doesn’t feel like he’s ‘working’ when doing his job

With a career spanning over four decades, Jim Nantz is the undisputed voice of golf, and particularly the Masters Tournament. “I don’t think I have a photographic memory,” Nantz says with a chuckle, “but my mind is always working, thinking of ideas for stories and ways to capture a moment.” Nantz’s journey to becoming a legendary sports announcer began with a childhood fascination with broadcast legends. He’d record audio of football broadcasts on Sundays and listen to them throughout the week, absorbing the voices and narratives of the game. “I was enraptured by the voices and the storytelling,” he recalls, “not thinking that this might be a career pursuit, but I just loved living in that bubble.”

Nantz’s dedication and passion eventually led him to host college football at just 26, and later, cover nearly every other sport, including the NFL, Olympics, and NCAA basketball. His buttery-smooth tone and easy delivery have become iconic, making him a household name. “I don’t feel like I’m working,” Nantz says with a grin. “I feel like I’m doing something I’m passionate about, something that’s been my passion since I was a little boy.” With his unique blend of history, storytelling, and sincerity, Nantz continues to captivate audiences, making him the perfect voice for the Masters Tournament, an event he calls “the greatest storytelling venue I see in sport… cinematic, with a soundtrack, an undercurrent that plays along with it.”

So, what are your thoughts on Nantz’s iconic career? Let us know in the comment section below!

The post ‘I’ll Throw You Out’: Jim Nantz Still Swears by This Career Advice as PGA Championship Kicks Off appeared first on EssentiallySports.