While everyone has been talking about Tiger Woods way more than they ever did during the golf off-season, I would like to remind you that the start of the golf season is less than a month away. This also means that the fantasy golf season is just around the corner.
Personal observation: Smaller sites tend to do a better job with fantasy golf. This is a function of the fact that smaller sites dedicated to fantasy golf really care about fantasy golf. Whereas, in the case of a larger fantasy company that has many games, fantasy golf is just a drop in the bucket, and is not nearly as important to the company as other fantasy games. With that being said, when picking a game, do your homework, be careful, email in questions, use message boards, and/or ask around.
I know you must be dying to get your virtual driver going and get onto the fantasy fairway with 2010 fantasy golf. With that in mind, I have compiled the details about a number of fantasy golf sites for your inspection. If you have any thoughts on any of these sites, please feel free to add them in the comments section. Also, I would like to Colin Robertson for contributing on a number of these evaluations:
Pro Tour Fantasy Golf
- Format: Pick three golfers each week. Score points based on their earnings for the week.
- Substitutes: Switch out one golfer after the second round and/or use one of your six mulligans to switch out another golfer before the final round.
- Selection: Set a new lineup each week. Can only use a golfer twice during the season or three times if you use a mulligan.
- Good points: Low number of players (capped at 125) so good chance of winning a prize; scores updated quickly; sends multiple line up reminders and (brief) weekly newsletter; able to change line up during tournament; mulligans feature; offers section prizes so always something to play for; Great reputation for customer service and prompt prize payout.
- Bad points: Only US tour so not a lot of UK or European interest in the game.
- Expected Start Date: Multiple start dates, from January through April
- Full disclosure: When I play fantasy golf, this is where I play.
- Format: Select a team of eight golfers each week, with four scoring points on a daily basis based on 18 hole scores.
- Substitutes: Able to change players between rounds (by 10.00am UK time).
- Selection: Only able to pick a player on 10 occasions during the season.
- Good points: Free entry (not sure you want to read that!), send line up reminder, good website, allows multiple mini leagues.
- Bad points: Poor prizes, have to alter teams continuously during a tournament, no auto-sub if you are away.
- Expected Start Date: January 2010
- Format: Select a team of twelve golfers each week, with all scoring points based on 72 hole scores.
- Substitutes: Able to change two (three for majors) players between weeks.
- Selection: No limit.
- Good points: Free entry; reasonable prizes for a free league, allows multiple mini leagues.
- Bad points: Most weeks will not have a full line up, no opportunity to change during tournament, funny bonus captain system (where you are unable to change from Tiger Woods as you can’t bench him), poor website.
- Expected Start Date: March 2010
- Format: Select a team of twelve golfers each week, with six scoring points based on 72 hole scores.
- Substitutes: Able to change three players between weeks.
- Selection: 25 changes per season.
- Good points: Most popular UK fantasy golf game; scores updated quickly; spin off mini tournaments; sends line up reminders and detailed weekly newsletter.
- Bad points: No opportunity to change during tournament; restrictions of number of players per continent; doesn’t start until Masters.
- Expected Start Date: March 2010
- Format: For Major tournaments only, pick four golfer for your team. Score points based on their earnings for the week, and double points for your top pick.
- Substitutes: None.
- Selection: Set a new lineup for each tournament.
- Good points: free to play; top prizes has been a trip for two to a following year’s masters; limiting to Majors ensures selection from top players,
- Bad points: May be too infrequent to engage players;
- Expected Start Date: March 2010.
Additionally, there may be fantasy golf leagues at Sporting News Fantasy Golf, CBS Sports Fantasy Golf, and/or Fanball Fantasy Golf that you may want to check out.
4 Comments, Comment or Ping
John Hohlen
As the founder of Pro Tour Fantasy Golf, I’m elated to hear that someone has finally noticed that “smaller sites tend to do a better job with fantasy golf”. When you’re a small independent site with one game, like we are, every customer matters and every suggestion or question deserves a response. I pride myself in responding to every email we get within 24 hours (usually in less time than that). I’ve played a number of fantasy sports games offered by the big time companies and I’m amazed how many times I’ve emailed them about various issues and never heard anything back. Not only do many of the smaller sites offer superior customer service, they often lead in innovation too. For example, Yahoo! Fantasy Golf is adding several features this year that PTFG has had since its outset including flexible roster deadlines due to rain and darkness delays, etc. However, the most interesting thing about fantasy golf is that there are almost as many different game formats as there are PGA golfers. There isn’t one standard scoring system or format unlike fantasy football and baseball where the scoring systems very similar with a few tweaks here and there. So that’s another reason to consider some of the smaller fantasy golf games because there are some really interesting formats out there. We think PTFG is definitely one of them. Thanks to you and Colin for mentioning us in your column.
Dec 26th, 2009
Jerry Strain
I was laid off my job last year and used that time to start a new fantasy golf league. Five years ago I purchased a domain name that sat around for all that time. It was always a question of what was to become of it. Why it took so long to finally settle on fantasy golf is beyond me. I love golf. I play whenever possible, the TV is tuned into a tournament every weekend, I’ve been twice to the PGA Expo in Florida (We, the wife and I, owned a golf store for a moment in time. Long story with a sad ending due to health circumstances with the bride). I suppose the time had to be right before putting that domain name to good use. As a past small business owner I can relate to taking care of customers. Treat them well and with respect and the same is returned. There is little else more satisfying than an honest thank you. It’s too late to get in on this review but if you decide to review fantasy golf leagues again I would welcome any criticism. Feedback, both good and bad, helps the small site owner better understand how they can better serve the customer. Ours is not the traditional season long league but instead a weekly event choosing the top five players. Weekly prizes are awarded based on number of entrants. A very simple approach without restriction on player selections. Ride a hot player for the whole season if you like. I only hope to achieve the status PTFG has earned. They are without question the premier fantasy golf league on the internet.
Jan 7th, 2010
Chuck Fridinger
I 100% completely agree that smaller sites do a better job with Fantasy Golf than larger ones. I think my website fits the bill. Just wondering how I go about getting listed on your review?
Please let me know when you get a chance.
Also might like to discuss advertising opportunities with you if you’re so inclined.
Thanks a lot
Chuck Fridinger
Founder/Owner http://www.kerplookee.com
Jan 18th, 2010