Following their professional playing careers, it seems as if retired athletes’ first stop is the first tee box at his golf course. Looking to scratch that competitive itch, former players from NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL flock to the green grass that makes up 18 holes.
Derek Jeter has taken a different route. After trying his hand at MLB team ownership, the former New York Yankees captain has taken up broadcasting. Despite his busy schedule, the five-time World Series champion is still able to carve out some time on the course for competition, albeit with a twist.
“The handicap system, regardless of how good you are … you can still compete against someone because of the handicap system,” Jeter said. “Everyone thinks they are better than they are [when] they’re really not, but it’s where you can have common ground. You don’t have to be 6-foot-8 to play golf. You don’t have to run too fast – you know, golfers are athletes, especially now they are athletic. It’s more of an even playing field on the golf course.”
Jeter is involved with the MLB through his new job and also has ties to professional golf now. An investor in the TGL’s New York Golf Club, the 50-year-old believes he has a sense of where entertainment is headed when it comes to live sports.
His own sport, baseball, has faced challenges and has come out the other end with new rules like the pitch clock. Jeter believes sports are always adapting, noting that while rule changes may be uncomfortable, they could ultimately be necessary for wider appeal.
“It’s different sports, but every sport evolves over time,” Jeter emphasized, relating MLB to golf. “You talk about the NBA, I mean, the 3-point line, they didn’t use to have it. They make changes, and I think you have traditionalists who get upset when you change the rules. I think it’s the same with baseball. It’s the same with golf. But ultimately, you’re going to have to adapt to what the consumers want. Everyone now is into instant gratification, and everything needs to happen right away.”
Jeter concluded, “So, there’s always changes in sports. I think TGL is an awesome idea for the younger generation. I think you’re going to have traditional golfers saying they don’t like it, but I think the younger generation is going to be into it.”
