OT: "Golf Talk" - Tournaments, Pro's, Equip., etc.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:25 pm

Tiger situation makes me think there are a lot of bandwagon golf fans. If Tiger doesn't play or isn't in the hunt, people don't tune in. But if Tiger is in the hunt going into the weekend then a lot of people watch. That's really odd to me. Tiger is so far and away the most popular golfer that it seems it's not even worth watching to most fans if he's not there.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:47 pm

fletcher21 wrote:Tiger situation makes me think there are a lot of bandwagon golf fans. If Tiger doesn't play or isn't in the hunt, people don't tune in. But if Tiger is in the hunt going into the weekend then a lot of people watch. That's really odd to me. Tiger is so far and away the most popular golfer that it seems it's not even worth watching to most fans if he's not there.

Well, watching Tiger is like watching history being made as he could pass the Golden Bear one day. Watching Sneed take on Garcia (insert top 100 golfers here) on the last day just doesn't have the same 'punch'.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:13 pm

fletcher21 wrote:Tiger situation makes me think there are a lot of bandwagon golf fans.

That's because there are. If Watson stays in the hunt it could help ABC recoup some viewers.

I'm absolutely flummoxed over the fact that the BBC doesn't have HD cameras covering the event though. WTF?

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:22 pm

RobVarak wrote: I'm absolutely flummoxed over the fact that the BBC doesn't have HD cameras covering the event though. WTF?

That course is already ugly enough. I don't need to see every ugly ass patch of brown grass in high def

But I do agree. There were also a lot of empty seats on some of the bigger seating areas. I wonder if Brit people wish their courses looked more like Augusta, or if they think our courses here are too "pretty". I am looking forward to the weekend. I for one am happy to see Tiger out. He'll set all the records but he's never really captivated me like most people. I liked back in the day when you could get a tee time at will. Now there are so many hacks out there wearing their Nike golf hats and shooting 120. Oh well, it's "good for the game"

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:31 pm

RobVarak wrote:That sound you hear is ABC's ratings plunging into the North Sea.

Exactly. We'll see just how much drawing power Tom Watson has these days. Something tells me ABC Sports' executives will drown themselves in Scotland's finest firewater tonight at pubs and hotel bars around Turnberry.

This will show the fragile popularity of golf, how its interest with the general public rests on the shoulders of one man. Golf fans still will watch; non-golf fans will not without Tiger.

Too bad, because the British Open is my favorite of the four majors, by far. It's man's golf.

Take care,
PK

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:33 pm

In reference to the topic asking about golf gear. My bag includes:

3-pw Titleist Dci (oldschool version)
Cleveland wedges
Titleist putter
Titleist pro v1 XOUT

balls

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:18 pm

The issue with Tiger missing the cut is how much I'll have to hear the commentators talk about his poor performance the past two days for the next two days, what went wrong, yada yada.

Watson is this years' Cinderella, like Norman was for the Open last year and I'll be rooting for him big time.

Sure rankings will sink this weekend but there are the likes of Garcia, Goosen, Vijay and even J. Daly in the mix. Don't know much about Marino' game but that's why they call it the 'Open" I guess.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:29 pm

Daly is always a fan favorite here, but idk about over there. I enjoy the guy and respect him for being his own person and not a corporate stiff

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:04 pm

10spro wrote:The issue with Tiger missing the cut is how much I'll have to hear the commentators talk about his poor performance the past two days for the next two days, what went wrong, yada yada.

Watson is this years' Cinderella, like Norman was for the Open last year and I'll be rooting for him big time.

Sure rankings will sink this weekend but there are the likes of Garcia, Goosen, Vijay and even J. Daly in the mix. Don't know much about Marino' game but that's why they call it the 'Open" I guess.

I wonder if UK TV ratings sink when Tiger's not playing. I think Tiger not playing is a direct result of how NBC, CBS, and the others focus entirely on Tiger in other broadcasts. They never build up anyone (though the players do their part in not having enough bonafide challangers to Tiger).

One thing about the course, doesn't that look like golf though. It looks so much more organic than most of the courses you see on the PGA. Then you add in the wind from the ocean and you probably have golf the way it's meant to be played. Not contrived difficultly like the U.S. Open where they nearly kill a course to get it to play their way. Or like every other PGA course where they set it up for very low scores.

The Masters is meant to be perfect golf. The Open is meant for natural golf. I like that those two extremes.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:50 pm

JRod wrote:
10spro wrote:The issue with Tiger missing the cut is how much I'll have to hear the commentators talk about his poor performance the past two days for the next two days, what went wrong, yada yada.

Watson is this years' Cinderella, like Norman was for the Open last year and I'll be rooting for him big time.

Sure rankings will sink this weekend but there are the likes of Garcia, Goosen, Vijay and even J. Daly in the mix. Don't know much about Marino' game but that's why they call it the 'Open" I guess.
I wonder if UK TV ratings sink when Tiger's not playing. I think Tiger not playing is a direct result of how NBC, CBS, and the others focus entirely on Tiger in other broadcasts. They never build up anyone (though the players do their part in not having enough bonafide challangers to Tiger).

One thing about the course, doesn't that look like golf though. It looks so much more organic than most of the courses you see on the PGA. Then you add in the wind from the ocean and you probably have golf the way it's meant to be played. Not contrived difficultly like the U.S. Open where they nearly kill a course to get it to play their way. Or like every other PGA course where they set it up for very low scores.

The Masters is meant to be perfect golf. The Open is meant for natural golf. I like that those two extremes.

Interesting you bring the UK coverage. I am in Hong Kong currently on business and I've been following the Open via a ESPN channel that's feeding directly from BBC. From what I've been hearing, Tigers' cut is disappointing but they mentioned it only once or twice MAX, while concentrating more on the current top ten leaders.

There's a lot more chat on the history of the event, the tough weather conditions and how a player should approach a certain shot. They don't specifically focused on one player, everyone seems to be getting a fair shot at it.

One of the reasons, why a European player may yet win it again this year is that they're more used to playing 'Links' Golf where controlling a shot is more important that how far you can bomb a ball with a driver.

The course is going to get only tougher, so a lot of touch and imagination will prevail over the weekend.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:20 pm

fletcher21 wrote:
RobVarak wrote: I'm absolutely flummoxed over the fact that the BBC doesn't have HD cameras covering the event though. WTF?
That course is already ugly enough. I don't need to see every ugly ass patch of brown grass in high def But I do agree. There were also a lot of empty seats on some of the bigger seating areas. I wonder if Brit people wish their courses looked more like Augusta, or if they think our courses here are too "pretty". I am looking forward to the weekend. I for one am happy to see Tiger out. He'll set all the records but he's never really captivated me like most people. I liked back in the day when you could get a tee time at will. Now there are so many hacks out there wearing their Nike golf hats and shooting 120. Oh well, it's "good for the game"

What the feck are you watching? Turnberry looks very nice. The reason there are so many empty seats is because to get to Turnberry, you have to get to Glasgow and then take a train to MAybole. After that, you have to take a shuttle to the course. It will fill up this weekend.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 8:17 am

The course may have history and all that, but to me it's just plain ugly. Just because it's old doesn't make it special to me. I'd rather see a tourney at Augusta.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:38 am

I'm not a student of the game, but I haven't heard or read about any of the British Open courses being lengthened to become "Tiger-proofed" over the last few years.

Even Augusta has done that, trying to neuter the long bombers from the tee. That's what separates links golf from regular golf.

A thinking man's player who doesn't blast the ball 310 yards, like Watson, has just as much of a chance as someone who shoots howitzers from their driver. One of the reasons why the British Open is my favorite.

Plus I think the British courses are gorgeous. They're natural, part of the existing terrain. They're not flower gardens disguised as golf courses.

I'd much rather see the wind sweep through the heather next to a craggly, seaside fairway than the azaleas blooming next to a manicured fairway.

Different strokes, no pun intended ...

Take care,
PK

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:02 am

pk500 wrote:I'm not a student of the game, but I haven't heard or read about any of the British Open courses being lengthened to become "Tiger-proofed" over the last few years.

Even Augusta has done that, trying to neuter the long bombers from the tee. That's what separates links golf from regular golf.

A thinking man's player who doesn't blast the ball 310 yards, like Watson, has just as much of a chance as someone who shoots howitzers from their driver. One of the reasons why the British Open is my favorite.

Plus I think the British courses are gorgeous. They're natural, part of the existing terrain. They're not flower gardens disguised as golf courses.

I'd much rather see the wind sweep through the heather next to a craggly, seaside fairway than the azaleas blooming next to a manicured fairway.

Different strokes, no pun intended ...

Take care,
PK

Well I think what Augusta did started a trend that didn't Tiger proof anything though they thought it did. After Tiger's runaway master's victory, Augusta and just about every other PGA course added length but they did not Tiger proof the game. Instead they made it easier for Tiger to win because they made it nearly impossible for short hitters to win.

If you want to Tiger proof a course, shorten it and narrow the fairways.

The other problem isn't so much Tiger as much as technology in golf. The clubs and balls might have added as much as 30-40 yards in some people's game than from ten years ago.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 11:04 am

Third round is underway. The weather is not a factor, not yet anyways. Young Marino is starting to show his nerves playing next to Watson and falling off a bit.

Cigar smoker A. Jimenez had an amazing long 60 footer bump and run that curved into the hole in the fifth. He'll be challenging.

Tom Watson is still playing steadily and he's got to be everyone's sentimental favorite, his putting continues to shine.

At the Masters I picked a dark horse in Angel Cabrera and he surprised a few. He'll be playing later on, and again I like his chances. But I am going to go for the Goose this year. Retief, as usual is quietly climbing up the ladder.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:15 pm

I'm pulling for Daly. That guy has been thru more hardships than most anyone on tour. Most of them are self-inflicted, but he deserves a nice victory. I don't know that I agree with his wardrobe, though.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:56 pm

Turnberry has been lengthen 800 yards since the end of WW2.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 2:22 pm

Tiger's absence over the weekend hasn't affected my interest in the Open one bit. On the contrary, watching an almost 60 year old dude to bring his best stuff at this time of his career has been quite enjoyable. Is there a soul not rooting for T. Watson unless you're a S. Cink fan?

Sadly, I think that Tom is running out of steam in the playoffs and his mental game was deteriorating already in the last hole of the Open when he could have won it all. That magic is coming up short with another playoff hole to come. Sad, because he'll never come this close to winning a Major again.

In the end, his best stroke and friendly putter failed him, but what a amazing run he had this year.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 4:05 pm

10spro wrote:

Tom Watson is still playing steadily and he's got to be everyone's sentimental favorite, his putting continues to shine.

71 out of 72 holes isn't too bad.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 4:30 pm

You had to feel for Watson today. He makes that 10 footer and it's over. He really fell apart in that playoff. Those shots from the weeds were sad to watch. He had a great run though. Great win for an underrated Cink.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:16 am

I'm a big Tiger fan, but even more than the way he played, I was disappointed in how he acted. All that cussing and slamming his clubs down, what the heck, was he taking sportsmanship lessons from Rory Sabatini? I'm glad he missed the cut, I wouldn't have wanted to see two more days of that.

I'm glad for Stewart Cink. I "sort of" met him at Firestone a couple years ago. He nodded hello to me and my girlfriend, he seems like a cool guy.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:49 am

lexbur wrote:I'm a big Tiger fan, but even more than the way he played, I was disappointed in how he acted. All that cussing and slamming his clubs down, what the heck, was he taking sportsmanship lessons from Rory Sabatini? I'm glad he missed the cut, I wouldn't have wanted to see two more days of that.

Tiger's been doing that for years. I'm surprised you just noticed.
He is a sore loser and acts like a spoiled baby when things don't go his way.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:21 am

True, Tiger's actions are well documented when things don't go his way, I wouldn't call him a sore loser but whenever he gets asked about his behavior, he just says the same thing: 'I hate to lose'. Well, doesn't anyone for that matter? Did Watson behave that way yesterday? Actually, I wished he did, I wished he swore, threw the putter away, insult his caddy...whatever

Walking through those four playoffs holes must have been so painful for him and to still show his patented smile and wave to the crowd is just class act.

I still feel for him, it would have been the 'Story Sport' of the year. Had he stuck to his 9 iron on the 72nd hole, pitch it back to the green instead of putting and heck how many long putts he made this weekend only to miss an 8 footer?

Heartbreaking stuff.

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:54 pm

It was fun watching and pulling for Tom this weekend. It was also telling in the press conference what a true competitor he has always been. He was visibly mad as hell at himself for not laying up in front of the hole on 18 in regulation. Rather than say what a nice run it was and he was happy to just be there at the top in regulation, he commented extensively about how he screwed up and how disappointed he was at not winning.

One question, though, does this performance by a 59-year-old in a major put into question the athleticism required for pro golf?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:12 pm

toonarmy wrote:One question, though, does this performance by a 59-year-old in a major put into question the athleticism required for pro golf?

The answer is not as simple as by saying yes or no. It's no coincidence that veterans like Norman and Watson have been doing extremely well at the Open. Whenever you play 'Links Golf' no matter what age you are, amateur or Pro, you have to go in there believing that you have a pretty good shot at winning.

Tom Watson didn't even bother to play at the Masters, knowing that his game was just not long enough to compete with the rest. But whenever you play against nature in Scotland, where you have to rather shape a ball flight that hitting straight and long, the old schoolers will always have a good time playing Links golf.

Sure, working out still will helps out, but one of the reasons why this sport is so popular around the World, is that no matter what age you are, as long as you have a good basics of the game and even a stronger mental aspect of golf, you have a fair good chance to compete.

Until the last hole, you just never for sure if you're going to hit that homerun or blow a save.