Thought of this while laying in bed and wondered what would happen. Let’s say Tiger Woods is strolling down the fairway of the 18th hole at Augusta with a one shot lead. 50,000 or so folks at the course and millions on TV are watching. Suddenly the bean burrito and chocolate shake Tiger had for lunch hit the expressway in his intestines and he has to cop a squat asap. Does the TV programming go on an extended commercial break while Tiger drops the deuce?
I volunteered for a couple years when the LPGA made a stop at a local course. The ladies were not expected to use the Porto-potties scattered throughout the course while they were playing. If Mother Nature called, the golfer would be wisked away in a golf cart to the club house. When this happened, the group playing behind would play through till the golfer returned. There was no TV coverage of these tournaments so this did not effect any TV coverage.
But what happens during televised golf tournaments when a golfer, especially one on the leaderboard, need to pinch a loaf, blast a dookie, or leave a floater? Are they expected to use one of the Honey Buckets discretely hidding on course? How would the TV folks handle one of the leaders if he had to make a Cleveland Steamer or worse, deal with a case of the Hershey squirts?
They use the portapotties regularly - just not shown on TV much. Think about it - they have the opportunity at every tee to do so discretely. And there have been times when players were playing with - uh - gastrointestinal discomfort.
There are plenty of other golfers on the course to focus on during that time, commentary that can be done, commercials that can be squeezed in. Tiger could go to his car for 10 minutes with his mistress and not be missed.
