MUScoop
MUScoop => The Superbar => Topic started by: rocket surgeon on June 15, 2016, 07:27:55 PM
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this u.s. open is going to drive some of these guys to drinking. oakmont-toughest course the u.s. open has been held on since 2006(winged foot. both 2006 and 2007(oakmont) the winners finished at +5. finishing any tournament in positive numbers is very very rare. they've got oakmont in extra extra "kick your cat", "beat your kids" mode. the stimpmeter is running at 13-15 where average for PGA courses is around 10 1/2.
who is your favorite aside from mcilroy, day, spieth, d.johnson? fowler has been really slumping. since tiger has dropped off the golfing map, there have been so many really decent golfers who are fun to watch. i love patrick reed, berger, mcdowell, koepka and snedeker. whoever-gonna have to control the emotions, have a really really short memory and well, play golf
anyone play the fantasy golf? it's a blast, i've got $30 invested on 12 teams of 6 guys with salary cap of $50k that gives me a chance to win, get this, $129,750,000. ain't nothing wrong with dreamin heyn'a?
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Props I like...
Watson +225 to miss cut
Mickelson +325 to miss cut
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MU alum Mike Van Sickle is competing this week.
http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-golf/spec-rel/061316aaa.html
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Props I like...
Watson +225 to miss cut
Mickelson +325 to miss cut
those are interesting. mick is running out of time to win one of the most coveted golf awards. he's a pretty crafty dude, especially around the green with a wedge. bubba is one of the most creative. this is a course that will take a veteran's mind and skills to survive. a novice may get chewed up and spit out quickly
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This rough is going to break someone's wrist
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGkXqYuoOOT/
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those are interesting. mick is running out of time to win one of the most coveted golf awards. he's a pretty crafty dude, especially around the green with a wedge. bubba is one of the most creative. this is a course that will take a veteran's mind and skills to survive. a novice may get chewed up and spit out quickly
Loathe Bubba. What a d-bag
Only time I've ever liked Phil is when he stood up to Watson at the Ryder Cup during the press conference
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MU alum Mike Van Sickle is competing this week.
http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-golf/spec-rel/061316aaa.html
that is very cool-thanks for bringing this up. going to have to watch him a little. i remember him being honored at halftime of a b-ball game. the team won the big east in 08 and 15.
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Loathe Bubba. What a d-bag
Only time I've ever liked Phil is when he stood up to Watson at the Ryder Cup during the press conference
phil also took one on the chin financially having to pay a cool $$mil fine for some wink wink insider cough cough trading
there's a golf course up north-castle rock at northern bay in arkdale, wi that has 8 replica golf holes. one of them is oakmonts #3 with the infamous church pew bunkers. if you're a golfer, you must see this course. they also have sawgrass tpc #17 island hole, among 6 more replicas. great course!
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Fowler hits enough fairways to have a chance, but his putter has to be good.
Kinda like Kuchar, Hideki, Smylie and Stenson as well.
Tough, tough course. Day and Rory will struggle immensely.
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Fowler to miss cut at +275 is another really good value. Rory as well at +600 to miss is great as well.
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Oakmont has one of the three toughest green complexes in the majors according to Johnny Miller. As such the winner will be someone who is a very strong mid to long iron player who can place the ball in optimal position on the green.
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Oakmont has one of the three toughest US Open green complexes in golf according to Johnny Miller. As such the winner will be someone who is a very strong mid to long iron player who can place the ball in optimal position on the green.
I heard he shot 63 there once.
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i don't think rory is going to win it, but check out this 80 footer he made just messin around the other day at oakmont-and this is indicative of how these greens are rolling!! what is this, concrete painted green?
http://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/watch-rory-mcilroy-sinks-outrageous-putt-at-oakmont/
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Huge Phil fan, bit he does not play well on this course. Hitting fairways is going to be the name of the game, as making par from the dough is going to be nearly impossible. Jason Day hitting 3-woods off of the tee is a good bet. Other than him, find a straight hitter.
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Go Van Sickle!
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the weather today is really going to fack things up. how would ya like to play 36 on oakmont in one day and your livelihood depends on it. emotionally it's got to be a real ass kicker
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the weather today is really going to fack things up. how would ya like to play 36 on oakmont in one day and your livelihood depends on it. emotionally it's got to be a real ass kicker
Eh...beats mining coal for a living. I'm sure they'll survive.
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Eh...beats mining coal for a living. I'm sure they'll survive.
nice addition to the dialogue ?-(?? well, i guess it also beats working at a lot of other jobs. i'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that you're not a golfer. my point is, this is what these guys do for a living and they have no one else to lean on, unless they have sponsors. regardless, if they don't perform or make the cut, they don't get paid. this is one of the toughest u.s. open courses there are.
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I see Zach Johnson is even after 11. He could be the kind of guy that could grind this out for 4 days.
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nice addition to the dialogue ?-(?? well, i guess it also beats working at a lot of other jobs. i'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that you're not a golfer. my point is, this is what these guys do for a living and they have no one else to lean on, unless they have sponsors. regardless, if they don't perform or make the cut, they don't get paid. this is one of the toughest u.s. open courses there are.
Yeah, but worrying about paying the bills really only applies to maybe 25% of the field, if that. The vast majority are PGA or Euro tour regulars. A missed cut at the US Open will have no effect.
Thanks to Tiger the money on the Tour is quite good. For example, Matt Jones is ranked 125th on the money list right now, and he's already made over $500,000 this season. Last year, 106 guys on tour made over $1 million.
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Yeah, but worrying about paying the bills really only applies to maybe 25% of the field, if that. The vast majority are PGA or Euro tour regulars. A missed cut at the US Open will have no effect.
Thanks to Tiger the money on the Tour is quite good. For example, Matt Jones is ranked 125th on the money list right now, and he's already made over $500,000 this season. Last year, 106 guys on tour made over $1 million.
Yep. They'll be able to pay the mortgage regardless.
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Yeah, but worrying about paying the bills really only applies to maybe 25% of the field, if that. The vast majority are PGA or Euro tour regulars. A missed cut at the US Open will have no effect.
Thanks to Tiger the money on the Tour is quite good. For example, Matt Jones is ranked 125th on the money list right now, and he's already made over $500,000 this season. Last year, 106 guys on tour made over $1 million.
ok, then put me down for the 25% that aren't in the top 125 and need this for a boost to their careers. maybe even the mike van sickles in the tournament or trying to make/keep their cards, get exemptions, whatever. you are right about tiger giving golf a big boost
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Yeah, but worrying about paying the bills really only applies to maybe 25% of the field, if that. The vast majority are PGA or Euro tour regulars. A missed cut at the US Open will have no effect.
Thanks to Tiger the money on the Tour is quite good. For example, Matt Jones is ranked 125th on the money list right now, and he's already made over $500,000 this season. Last year, 106 guys on tour made over $1 million.
Matt Jones has very little to worry about...
https://bustedcoverage.com/2015/08/15/matt-jones-wife-melissa-weber-jones-photos/#!gallery-inline-embed-1765589-1765594-0
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Matt Jones has very little to worry about...
https://bustedcoverage.com/2015/08/15/matt-jones-wife-melissa-weber-jones-photos/#!gallery-inline-embed-1765589-1765594-0
She's probably not even top 10 in hot golfer pieces.
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She's probably not even top 10 in hot golfer pieces.
Hotter sport WAGs in the US, hockey or golf?
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Hope Jones doesn't get da yips wit his putter, ai na?
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Hotter sport WAGs in the US, hockey or golf?
Hockey draws talent from a much larger area, it probably wins.
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Hotter sport WAGs in the US, hockey or golf?
Europeon soccer?
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Dustin Johnson is really striking it. He choked it away on the weekends before in majors but I think he gets it done this year.
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Dustin Johnson is really striking it. He choked it away on the weekends before in majors but I think he gets it done this year.
He choked at the Memorial two weeks ago too. Dustin needs to get serious and get a real caddie.
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Feels disjointed due to yesterday's weather. Weird to see shots land softly at Oakmont. DJ is a greens hitting machine right now.
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He choked at the Memorial two weeks ago too. Dustin needs to get serious and get a real caddie.
no disrespect-who's his caddie and how is he hurting him? i haven't heard anything either way
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no disrespect-who's his caddie and how is he hurting him? i haven't heard anything either way
His brother. The thought is that DJ could another set of eyes on the greens and an experienced guy could help.
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His brother. The thought is that DJ could another set of eyes on the greens and an experienced guy could help.
thank you! that's the first time i've heard that. anyone know what his bro's golf background is?
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thank you! that's the first time i've heard that. anyone know what his bro's golf background is?
High school golf. Played basketball in college, Charleston I believe.
In addition to what RJax said, he's believed to be an overall bad influence (see drug tests), often encourages Dustin to be overly aggressive and cannot help his mental game.
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High school golf. Played basketball in college, Charleston I believe.
In addition to what RJax said, he's believed to be an overall bad influence (see drug tests), often encourages Dustin to be overly aggressive and cannot help his mental game.
well, if he's a bad influence(drinking buddy past or present) obviously not a real smart decicion to have around as we know(very little) but we do know that dustin has had some issues with both contraband and relationships. hopefully wayne gave him a couple of slap sticks upside the head and should carry his bag for a little "guidance". i think the dustinator is still with his daughter...if he isn't, then he may be more foolish than i thought, unless paulina is the bad influence.
just saw him interviewed, he looks healthy and well put together. in other words, he doesn't sound like jeff spicoli as much
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Fowler to miss cut at +275 is another really good value. Rory as well at +600 to miss is great as well.
Wish I would have put some cash down on these. Mickelson (+325) missed as well.
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Fowler to miss cut at +275 is another really good value. Rory as well at +600 to miss is great as well.
add to that justin rose, matsuyama, j.b holmes, patrick reed, brent snedeker, jimmy walker, webb simpson, retief goosen...a lot of money laying out there.
check out this video-d.j. hits a dude getting a dog, but i'm not sure if i heard the 2nd announcer right, but it sounds like he says either in the head or he's dead? i'm sure if he killed a guy yesterday, we'd be hearing a little more, but this one may have cost dusty a little more than another tube steak and a signed golf glove-heyn'a?
https://fansided.com/2016/06/18/dustin-johnson-hits-guy-buying-a-hot-dog-with-golf-ball-photo/
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add to that justin rose, matsuyama, j.b holmes, patrick reed, brent snedeker, jimmy walker, webb simpson, retief goosen...a lot of money laying out there.
check out this video-d.j. hits a dude getting a dog, but i'm not sure if i heard the 2nd announcer right, but it sounds like he says either in the head or he's dead? i'm sure if he killed a guy yesterday, we'd be hearing a little more, but this one may have cost dusty a little more than another tube steak and a signed golf glove-heyn'a?
https://fansided.com/2016/06/18/dustin-johnson-hits-guy-buying-a-hot-dog-with-golf-ball-photo/
Reading the link.... why would a guy be buying a hot dog with a golf ball?
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Best line of the week by announcers?
"They love kooch here in Pittsburgh". (This was after Kuchar sank a 40 footer.)
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Kinda like lovin' puss here, ai na?
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Kinda like lovin' puss here, ai na?
speakin of which, nice trophy fer the winna, ayn'AAAA AAhhh yessssss!
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Kinda like lovin' puss here, ai na?
They are gonna do so much coke tonight.
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They are gonna do so much cokeacola tonight. unless they are pee testing tomorrow, 'eyna?
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Neither a DJ fan nor a DJ hater. I gotta say, though, that I was happy for him to make some clutch shots after the USGA tried to screw him royally today.
Good to see him come off the "best to never win a major" list.
Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia ... another choke job for each.
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Neither a DJ fan nor a DJ hater. I gotta say, though, that I was happy for him to make some clutch shots after the USGA tried to screw him royally today.
Good to see him come off the "best to never win a major" list.
Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia ... another choke job for each.
Westwood obviously choked. Sergio did not. He made several key puts, birdied from 25 yards out of a bunker and key par saves . I think the wheels came off the wagon when he pushed to hard on the accelerator on 14,15 and 16 .
Also nice outfit from Paulina.
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Any time you see the winner's WAG having to keep tugging at her skirt to keep it from sliding too far up, it is a good day.
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Westwood obviously choked. Sergio did not. He made several key puts, birdied from 25 yards out of a bunker and key par saves . I think the wheels came off the wagon when he pushed to hard on the accelerator on 14,15 and 16 .
Well, I guess it depends upon how one defines "choke." Sergio had several make-able putts down the stretch and missed 'em all. Had some loose shots, too. In other words, as soon as it got down to nut-cuttin' time -- as soon as he actually had a chance to legitimately contend -- the "wheels came off the wagon."
I define that as choking. It's fine if you don't. The world is filled with opinions!
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Neither a DJ fan nor a DJ hater. I gotta say, though, that I was happy for him to make some clutch shots after the USGA tried to screw him royally today.
Good to see him come off the "best to never win a major" list.
Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia ... another choke job for each.
if he is turning his life around, i'm becoming a real fan. he is absolutely torching the ball and chit you can hang your clothes on! after getting shafted at whistling in 2010, the 3 putt blunder last year, and then maybe we'll think about it and tell ya later depending on how much of a lead you have...that was complete bull plop(hole 5 penalty) and i'm so glad it didn't have a bearing on the outcome.
as for the penalty-
if johnson touched the ball, why did it fall backward?
if he would have touched the ball, he would have called it himself-that's how golfers roll
if the PGA wants to reach out and capture more fans and participation, it's rulings like this that will give people the perception that golf is too stuffy and too complicated
i had an incident saturday where i chipped up, past the hole by about 2 feet on an up-slope. i marked my ball. when my turn came to putt, i placed my ball on the green and before i could remove my marker, the ball would start rolling toward the hole. this happened like 5-6 times. now that i could see the line, thank you, i finally got my ball to stay long enough to putt it. what was i supposed to do, pound it into the green? one of my golf partners told me that if the ball had moved after i removed my mark while i was addressing it, it would have been a penalty? what if i hadn't even grounded my club? i need to talk to the golf pro about this one
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Well, I guess it depends upon how one defines "choke." Sergio had several make-able putts down the stretch and missed 'em all. Had some loose shots, too. In other words, as soon as it got down to nut-cuttin' time -- as soon as he actually had a chance to legitimately contend -- the "wheels came off the wagon."
I define that as choking. It's fine if you don't. The world is filled with opinions!
Those Oakmont greens were very difficult and the putts he missed were always close, it wasn't like he was missing 3 footers, they were 15-20 footers. He had a great recovery from the loose shot on 9 and made par on a very tough hole. The announcers said one of his birdies was one of the toughest in the tournament. I think the distinction I am making is when the wheels came off the wagon, he was actually trying to contend and win it, a small miss of a few feet here and there on those greens puts you in a crappy position to make par. When you watched the shot tracker you could see the lines he was taking were aggressive. At the end of the day the guy shot a 70 for the final round of a US Open which I just don't call choking. He played well, but didn't play well enough to win, that is what I think happened. I think what happens with Garcia is in these majors sometimes you only need to play for par and avoid mistakes and that just does not seem to be in his constitution. It may be that because he is a weak putter he feels he must rely on his strong irons to get him close. Net result is the same he is not getting the job done but this event I did not put in the choke category for him.
Shane Lowrey shot a 76 going into the final round with a -7 and decent leader. That was a very clear choker if there was someone you wanted to label as a choker.
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if the PGA wants to reach out and capture more fans and participation, it's rulings like this that will give people the perception that golf is too stuffy and too complicated
I don't see how this impacts the popularity or viewership of golf in any way. Golf has lost popularity because it is stuffy, complicated...and expensive. Rules like this don't impact this at all.
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if he is turning his life around, i'm becoming a real fan. he is absolutely torching the ball and chit you can hang your clothes on! after getting shafted at whistling in 2010, the 3 putt blunder last year, and then maybe we'll think about it and tell ya later depending on how much of a lead you have...that was complete bull plop(hole 5 penalty) and i'm so glad it didn't have a bearing on the outcome.
as for the penalty-
if johnson touched the ball, why did it fall backward?
if he would have touched the ball, he would have called it himself-that's how golfers roll
if the PGA wants to reach out and capture more fans and participation, it's rulings like this that will give people the perception that golf is too stuffy and too complicated
i had an incident saturday where i chipped up, past the hole by about 2 feet on an up-slope. i marked my ball. when my turn came to putt, i placed my ball on the green and before i could remove my marker, the ball would start rolling toward the hole. this happened like 5-6 times. now that i could see the line, thank you, i finally got my ball to stay long enough to putt it. what was i supposed to do, pound it into the green? one of my golf partners told me that if the ball had moved after i removed my mark while i was addressing it, it would have been a penalty? what if i hadn't even grounded my club? i need to talk to the golf pro about this one
Inside the leather...PICK IT UP!!!
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Those Oakmont greens were very difficult and the putts he missed were always close, it wasn't like he was missing 3 footers, they were 15-20 footers. He had a great recovery from the loose shot on 9 and made par on a very tough hole. The announcers said one of his birdies was one of the toughest in the tournament. I think the distinction I am making is when the wheels came off the wagon, he was actually trying to contend and win it, a small miss of a few feet here and there on those greens puts you in a crappy position to make par. When you watched the shot tracker you could see the lines he was taking were aggressive. At the end of the day the guy shot a 70 for the final round of a US Open which I just don't call choking. He played well, but didn't play well enough to win, that is what I think happened. I think what happens with Garcia is in these majors sometimes you only need to play for par and avoid mistakes and that just does not seem to be in his constitution. It may be that because he is a weak putter he feels he must rely on his strong irons to get him close. Net result is the same he is not getting the job done but this event I did not put in the choke category for him.
Shane Lowrey shot a 76 going into the final round with a -7 and decent leader. That was a very clear choker if there was someone you wanted to label as a choker.
All right ... I'll compromise and say Sergio only kind of choked.
I guess when a pattern has been established over many years, it makes it easier to label 'em all as chokes, which as you say probably isn't fair.
I was at Medinah in '99 to witness that amazing duel between Sergio and Tiger. Many of us thought it was the start of an incredible rivalry that would include 20 or more majors between them. Tiger lived up to his half of the bargain.
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I don't see how this impacts the popularity or viewership of golf in any way. Golf has lost popularity because it is stuffy, complicated...and expensive. Rules like this don't impact this at all.
that's your opinion-fine, but i disagree, no big deal. people who don't golf or are just taking it up or are thinking about taking a passing interest in either participation or just as a spectator get turned off by these types of rulings. golf is trying to make a distinction between casual players and "ready golf" to speed up the game for joe golf bag while reverting back to the "symphony" crowd with rulings like this. ask most club house pros and if they aren't caught up in all the rules 22.8 section 2c with the 14 addendums and blah blah blah, the ruling was petty at least. they aren't splitting hairs here, they aren't splitting atoms, hell, they are splitting neutrons, electrons and protons
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that's your opinion-fine, but i disagree, no big deal. people who don't golf or are just taking it up or are thinking about taking a passing interest in either participation or just as a spectator get turned off by these types of rulings. golf is trying to make a distinction between casual players and "ready golf" to speed up the game for joe golf bag while reverting back to the "symphony" crowd with rulings like this. ask most club house pros and if they aren't caught up in all the rules 22.8 section 2c with the 14 addendums and blah blah blah, the ruling was petty at least. they aren't splitting hairs here, they aren't splitting atoms, hell, they are splitting neutrons, electrons and protons
People out on the munis aren't worrying about 22.8 section 2c. It never enters their mind. The reason people aren't playing is because the game is too expensive for most people to play very often. And unless you play often you aren't going to be very good at it.
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People out on the munis aren't worrying about 22.8 section 2c. It never enters their mind. The reason people aren't playing is because the game is too expensive for most people to play very often. And unless you play often you aren't going to be very good at it.
I think you are both correct to an extent. The expense, difficulty of the game, and time commitment prevent people from coming to the game.....but TV viewership is critical to getting people, especially the young interested in the sport in the first place.
If you get casual fans turning off the television because it seems unfair or because they don't get it, the young and impressionable never get exposed to take up the game, and learning it young is critical. Very few people learn to play golf in their 20s or 30s and stick with it.
The USGA is very very lucky that DJ won comfortably and that Game 7 was crazy close/topical....no one will pay attention to this idiocy that could have ruined a major
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It's a "gentlemen's game" played on the honor system.... yet there's nothing like golf that takes the honor and gentleness out of a man.
Maybe that's why I prefer women's golf.
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I think you are both correct to an extent. The expense, difficulty of the game, and time commitment prevent people from coming to the game.....but TV viewership is critical to getting people, especially the young interested in the sport in the first place.
If you get casual fans turning off the television because it seems unfair or because they don't get it, the young and impressionable never get exposed to take up the game, and learning it young is critical. Very few people learn to play golf in their 20s or 30s and stick with it.
The USGA is very very lucky that DJ won comfortably and that Game 7 was crazy close/topical....no one will pay attention to this idiocy that could have ruined a major
thanks for your analysis-well done
my dad has never swung a golf club in his life and he was disgusted by the call, non-call, call. if it's a game of honor, and it is, the first official at the hole handled it correctly. then the other chefs stuck their spoons in the soup. if it's a game of honor, the USGA just stuck up the "swear finger" to him and called him a liar-brutal!
not one player, past or present nor caddie agreed with the call
loved the comment that nick faldo used, i'm not sure in what reference, but luke donald repeated it and said that dustin should "thank the USGA from the heart of his bottom"
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Nick Faldo struggle for years before he finally broke through and started winning majors. The British press labeled him 'Nick Fold-o' and took great delight in skewering him until he finally broke through and won a major. During his press conference, he dropped that bomb on them.
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Nick Faldo struggle for years before he finally broke through and started winning majors. The British press labeled him 'Nick Fold-o' and took great delight in skewering him until he finally broke through and won a major. During his press conference, he dropped that bomb on them.
the other weird thing about faldo is while he was winning, he decides it would be a great idea to completely overhaul his swing...what? that was the end
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For 90% of my life I was an extremely avid golfer, playing over a hundred rounds a year for many years. After having some health issues, getting older and game going to hell I lost my excitement big time. I now find myself missing playing a great deal but truthfully cannot justify the cost to play on regular basis. Quickly learned that not playing that my game went south which only added to my frustration.
I have come to the realization that the game is way, way to expensive to play the courses I want to play. In addition, the pace of play is crazy long and I find myself getting more and more pissed as the round progresses when I do play. A couple of weeks ago I took two of my boys to Brown Deer and the round took almost five hours.
For me, as much as I love the game, I can live without far easier than I ever dreamt possible. Nothing worse than spending a couple hundred bucks and going home frustrated. They have to find a way to speed play and make it more affordable or they will lose more players like me.
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the other weird thing about faldo is while he was winning, he decides it would be a great idea to completely overhaul his swing...what? that was the end
Well, Tiger probably has overhauled his swing a half-dozen times -- even during stretches when he was winning over and over.
Many of the great ones are never satisfied.
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the other weird thing about faldo is while he was winning, he decides it would be a great idea to completely overhaul his swing...what? that was the end
You have the sequence wrong. He won with his original swing. Not a lot, but enough for the British press to start raising expectations. Faldo came to the conclusion that his game wasn't good enough to win majors. He teamed up with David Leadbetter and spent a couple of years struggling and getting raked over the coals by the BP until the changes clicked and took hold. Then he went on his run of winning majors. He stayed near the top until the Masters he won over Greg Norman. His career ebbed after that, as he entered his 40's.
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You have the sequence wrong. He won with his original swing. Not a lot, but enough for the British press to start raising expectations. Faldo came to the conclusion that his game wasn't good enough to win majors. He teamed up with David Leadbetter and spent a couple of years struggling and getting raked over the coals by the BP until the changes clicked and took hold. Then he went on his run of winning majors. He stayed near the top until the Masters he won over Greg Norman. His career ebbed after that, as he entered his 40's.
you are right. i just seem to remember soon after he had just completed a remarkable run and then seemed to be on a downturn, i recall the announcers talking about re-working his swing and i thought, why? now there could have been a lot more to that story as well. injuries, age, whatever, but you are correct. after ledbetter worked with him in 1985, he won the open 3 times, the masters 3 times, along with an assortment of other tournaments thru 1996
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For 90% of my life I was an extremely avid golfer, playing over a hundred rounds a year for many years. After having some health issues, getting older and game going to hell I lost my excitement big time. I now find myself missing playing a great deal but truthfully cannot justify the cost to play on regular basis. Quickly learned that not playing that my game went south which only added to my frustration.
I have come to the realization that the game is way, way to expensive to play the courses I want to play. In addition, the pace of play is crazy long and I find myself getting more and more pissed as the round progresses when I do play. A couple of weeks ago I took two of my boys to Brown Deer and the round took almost five hours.
For me, as much as I love the game, I can live without far easier than I ever dreamt possible. Nothing worse than spending a couple hundred bucks and going home frustrated. They have to find a way to speed play and make it more affordable or they will lose more players like me.
+1
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you are right. i just seem to remember soon after he had just completed a remarkable run and then seemed to be on a downturn, i recall the announcers talking about re-working his swing and i thought, why? now there could have been a lot more to that story as well. injuries, age, whatever, but you are correct. after ledbetter worked with him in 1985, he won the open 3 times, the masters 3 times, along with an assortment of other tournaments thru 1996
I think the older we all get, the more we have to adjust our swings to help keep a step ahead of our backs and knees.
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For 90% of my life I was an extremely avid golfer, playing over a hundred rounds a year for many years. After having some health issues, getting older and game going to hell I lost my excitement big time. I now find myself missing playing a great deal but truthfully cannot justify the cost to play on regular basis. Quickly learned that not playing that my game went south which only added to my frustration.
I have come to the realization that the game is way, way to expensive to play the courses I want to play. In addition, the pace of play is crazy long and I find myself getting more and more pissed as the round progresses when I do play. A couple of weeks ago I took two of my boys to Brown Deer and the round took almost five hours.
For me, as much as I love the game, I can live without far easier than I ever dreamt possible. Nothing worse than spending a couple hundred bucks and going home frustrated. They have to find a way to speed play and make it more affordable or they will lose more players like me.
I don't know where you play or would like to play but the stark reality is that many clubs, private and muni, are in survival mode. Green fees have become much more reasonable and tee times more available. I am a member at two clubs and it is not unusual to be able to walk up and complete a round in three hours on weekend afternoons. Rates have not increased appreciably over the last ten years and reduced rates are available for rounds starting in early afternoon.
I've played and watched golf for over 45 years. My humble opinion is that the popularity of golf isn't related to cost of playing or the time required. Most clubs go out of their way to make the experience more casual and relaxed, especially for the young or more novice players.
I think popularity has waned for two reasons. First, the departure of Tiger from the limelight. His arrival on the scene sparked a level of interest in the game not seen since Arnie appeared on TV in the 1960s. It has waned since his demise. Secondly, I think younger players lost interest in the post-Tiger era because golf doesn't provide the instant gratification of other "sports," particularly those played indoors with a control in hand. It's a difficult game that take immense patience and concentration in addition to the physical skills that time time to refine, regardless of the evolution of equipment has improved the playability and foregiveness of shotmaking.
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I don't know where you play or would like to play but the stark reality is that many clubs, private and muni, are in survival mode. Green fees have become much more reasonable and tee times more available. I am a member at two clubs and it is not unusual to be able to walk up and complete a round in three hours on weekend afternoons. Rates have not increased appreciably over the last ten years and reduced rates are available for rounds starting in early afternoon.
I've played and watched golf for over 45 years. My humble opinion is that the popularity of golf isn't related to cost of playing or the time required. Most clubs go out of their way to make the experience more casual and relaxed, especially for the young or more novice players.
I think popularity has waned for two reasons. First, the departure of Tiger from the limelight. His arrival on the scene sparked a level of interest in the game not seen since Arnie appeared on TV in the 1960s. It has waned since his demise. Secondly, I think younger players lost interest in the post-Tiger era because golf doesn't provide the instant gratification of other "sports," particularly those played indoors with a control in hand. It's a difficult game that take immense patience and concentration in addition to the physical skills that time time to refine, regardless of the evolution of equipment has improved the playability and foregiveness of shotmaking.
You are a member of two clubs which is nice. Most people have to play at the Muni or a public course. There is a big difference. Playing at a club has always been a fast pace of play and is enjoyable. The other options have various issues that take the joy out of golf. It is also very expensive for the average person who is nothing more than a hacker.
Golf is a hard sport to master and takes lots of time. In todays instant feed back world that is out of vogue.
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thanks for your analysis-well done
my dad has never swung a golf club in his life and he was disgusted by the call, non-call, call. if it's a game of honor, and it is, the first official at the hole handled it correctly. then the other chefs stuck their spoons in the soup. if it's a game of honor, the USGA just stuck up the "swear finger" to him and called him a liar-brutal!
not one player, past or present nor caddie agreed with the call
loved the comment that nick faldo used, i'm not sure in what reference, but luke donald repeated it and said that dustin should "thank the USGA from the heart of his bottom"
Congratulations, USGA. You have attained NCAA level of authoritative incompetency
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You are a member of two clubs which is nice. Most people have to play at the Muni or a public course. There is a big difference. Playing at a club has always been a fast pace of play and is enjoyable. The other options have various issues that take the joy out of golf. It is also very expensive for the average person who is nothing more than a hacker.
Golf is a hard sport to master and takes lots of time. In todays instant feed back world that is out of vogue.
Agreed, and a point I made in my post.
I also agree with your view on clubs but I need to point out that at one of my clubs, the annual fee is $250 and the 18 hole green fee is $25 on weekends. Similar to what one would pay at the muni across the street which also offers incentives to younger players and village residents.
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You are a member of two clubs which is nice. Most people have to play at the Muni or a public course. There is a big difference. Playing at a club has always been a fast pace of play and is enjoyable. The other options have various issues that take the joy out of golf. It is also very expensive for the average person who is nothing more than a hacker.
Golf is a hard sport to master and takes lots of time. In todays instant feed back world that is out of vogue.
Also, most people have to work too much these days to play much golf, especially on the weekdays.
I play 2-3 times a month. Ideally, I'd play 10 times per month, but can't get away from work even for twilight.
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I'm envious. You play nore than I.
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DJ showed some internal fortitude...I think that would have shook me knowing a penalty "might" be coming from those putzes.
I like how they were saying there just has to be a doubt to enforce the penalty. Official said there was more than a 50% chance he caused it. What percentage did he grab from his a$$, 68.5%? They should fix that to actual evidence. The ball never moved when he made the actual practice swings but later. Big reach by the officials, imo. Plus even if you want to pull that they've got to enforce that within a reasonable amount of time, so guys know where they stand. Made the final round more enticing, if a f-ed up way.
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DJ showed some internal fortitude...I think that would have shook me knowing a penalty "might" be coming from those putzes.
I like how they were saying there just has to be a doubt to enforce the penalty. Official said there was more than a 50% chance he caused it. What percentage did he grab from his a$$, 68.5%? They should fix that to actual evidence. The ball never moved when he made the actual practice swings but later. Big reach by the officials, imo. Plus even if you want to pull that they've got to enforce that within a reasonable amount of time, so guys know where they stand. Made the final round more enticing, if a f-ed up way.
judging from the outcry, there were some(all) big names in the sport very very critical of the USGA. if no one their took any of that to heart, they ain't gonna be around much longer, or the chit for brains that made the decision anyway
the sheriff had some great points-golf doesn't have to be expensive. time consuming-yes. i buy a lot of my clubs on ebay or other 2nd hand alternatives. we can sometimes go thru 2-3 putters per year because we all know, when in doubt, it's the clubs fault ::). seriously though, for a wedge(s) or a putter-people go thru those like hanes undies. i will not spend $150-200 for a putter or wedge that i may not have next week. you can buy these things with barely a scratch for $20-30-40 w/free shipping. i'll spend a little more on my irons, but i bought a 2nd set of big bertha irons to leave in lake havasu for $150. the callaway FT-9 for another$100 and $change for the rest of them. the web site-golf now constantly has great deals online for tee times anywhere in the country. off season, you can golf some fantastic, country club level courses for dirt cheap.
golf is a time consuming, challenging sport regardless of your skill level. it is also a real revelation of the true character of the person(s) you are golfing with. playing video games and collecting stamps are time consuming also. i choose golf whenever i can
we've joined a very modest golf club that has 36 holes, for the past 6 years for roughly $3200, unlimited gold with a cart 7 days per week. my wife will get out at least 3-4 times per week and i will get out 2-3. let's just say that's 5-6 rounds per week between us. to be fair, let's figure may thru september even though many times we are out there sporadically in march, april and october. 5-6 rounds per week for 6 mos.~24 x 6=144. that's roughly $22/round. the nice thing about this club is it's annual fee isn't prohibitive to we disallow us from going to other clubs and we do. we have a golf gang, husband/wife where we spend weekends at the dells, castle rock, sentry world, wisco rapids, green bay, the genevas, etc.
you can golf the same course 15 times in a row and have a different experience and/or challenge each time. weather, pin and tee box changes, are enough to change anyone's approach.
did you know that even if your game is right around 95-100 you are in the top 20%? yes i know, all of us shoot 80's right? nope. you can shoot an 82 and follow it up with 102 the next day. or vice versa-that's one of the beauties of golf.
then of course you hear the stories-coming off the course more pissed off than when you went on, how relaxing can it be when ya wanna just scream...it happens. but it should reach in to your inner humility at some point or it isn't for you. love the commercial of the 4-some with one of the dudes just frustrated, pissed, ready to chuck the clubs into the pond...they finish, all get into his ? car and the one turns to the other and asks-same time tomorrow? yup, yup and they drive off-that's golf
the game of golf-it's all on you. hit 'em long and straight, eyN'a ;) ;)
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I am blessed to live in an area with primarily public courses, to have a schedule that allows me to play on weekdays during the day, to love to walk 18 carrying my bag, and a couple of golf retailers/pro shops that really go out of their way to give great deals. I played 3 times during the week of June 5-9. Walked 18 all three times. 3 different courses. $17, $20, $20, and walked 18 in under 3 hours all three times. Nearly had my 10,000 steps in by 11:30.
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I am blessed to live in an area with primarily public courses, to have a schedule that allows me to play on weekdays during the day, to love to walk 18 carrying my bag, and a couple of golf retailers/pro shops that really go out of their way to give great deals. I played 3 times during the week of June 5-9. Walked 18 all three times. 3 different courses. $17, $20, $20, and walked 18 in under 3 hours all three times. Nearly had my 10,000 steps in by 11:30.
My jealousy of you knows no bounds
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Dustin Johnson is really striking it. He choked it away on the weekends before in majors but I think he gets it done this year.
Hats off to Dustin. Tough course, lots of stops and starts with the weather, a 4 stroke deficit going into Sunday and a ridiculous ruling by the USGA - and he overcame it all. His drive and approach shot on 18 were incredible. Now that the monkey is off his back I expect him to go on a big run.
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Walked 18 in under 3 hours? By yourself?
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Its called golf, 'cuz all da utter 4 letter words are taken, ai na?
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For 90% of my life I was an extremely avid golfer, playing over a hundred rounds a year for many years. After having some health issues, getting older and game going to hell I lost my excitement big time. I now find myself missing playing a great deal but truthfully cannot justify the cost to play on regular basis. Quickly learned that not playing that my game went south which only added to my frustration.
I have come to the realization that the game is way, way to expensive to play the courses I want to play. In addition, the pace of play is crazy long and I find myself getting more and more pissed as the round progresses when I do play. A couple of weeks ago I took two of my boys to Brown Deer and the round took almost five hours.
For me, as much as I love the game, I can live without far easier than I ever dreamt possible. Nothing worse than spending a couple hundred bucks and going home frustrated. They have to find a way to speed play and make it more affordable or they will lose more players like me.
Here, here.
I'm only 30 and play maybe 4 or 5 rounds a year. I enjoy it, and I still shoot ok (high 80s to low 90s), but nowhere near what I used to, which was consistently low 80s and high 70s when I was playing really well.
From about 8th grade to the age of 20, I played every single day from the beginning of April to the end of October. I ate, drank, slept, and breathed golf. I was fortunate enough to have parents who bought me a season pass at the local muni course and fortunate enough to play some amazing Wisconsin courses as part of the high school golf team (Brown Deer, University Ridge, Whispering Springs, Lawsonia, Tuscumbia, Trappers Turn, to name a few). At my best, which was probably my senior year of high school, I was an 8 handicap. During the summers while at MU I worked as a bartender at a public course, which allowed me to play for free before my shift started at noon. It was a beautiful arrangement.
However, even as I now make a good living, I cannot justify the expenses of playing golf more than a handful of times a year. I still use my clubs from high school, which are now close to 15 years old, although they are very good clubs...Taylor Made woods and irons and my trusty Odyssey putter, but it is just not a priority for me to invest in new clubs or play more than a few of the forest preserve courses once or twice a month. I have way too many other priorities. And I'm a little surprised how easily I've lived without playing the game as much. The factors you mentioned are part of it. Especially in Chicago, it is almost impossible to find a public course without ridiculous wait times on a decent summer day, it is not like rural Wisconsin where I grew up.
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i just read an article where the fox network(not fox news) who televised the us open, the camera man who followed, ummm, dustin to sign his card, is in trouble for showing paulina's butt too much...yeah right. no complaints here gosh darner
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3651928/Fox-Sports-cameraman-fire-lingering-shot-Paulina-Gretzky-s-fiance-s-triumph-Open.html
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Walked 18 in under 3 hours? By yourself?
Yes. On a really good day, I can get around in 2:30.
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i just read an article where the fox network(not fox news) who televised the us open, the camera man who followed, ummm, dustin to sign his card, is in trouble for showing paulina's butt too much...yeah right. no complaints here gosh darner
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3651928/Fox-Sports-cameraman-fire-lingering-shot-Paulina-Gretzky-s-fiance-s-triumph-Open.html
I was watching that live, seeing her tug at her skirt, and chuckling.
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Most outings with buddies I play golf to drink beer.
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/a0/7d/2b/a07d2b62f9605757630bb1f993a901a2.jpg)
Was playing along side a corporate event that had what I assumed to be strippers riding along with. I wasn't complaining.
(http://therealcape.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/beer-cart.jpg)
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About 20 years ago, some of my buddies were golfing (second hand story, I was not there). Unbeknownst to them when they arrived, there was an event going involving strippers. My buddies golfed, admired the strippers, interacted a little. At the end, one of my buddies says 'Watch this.' He went into the clubhouse and threw a fake tantrum about how offended he was to have strippers all over the course while he was trying to play a quiet round with his friends. They gave everybody in the foursome their money back.
In 2003, at a 3 day golf outing in Northern Michigan with about 100 of us, another friend, after 36 holes and nearly as many beers, decided to take his golf cart straight down the steep hill instead of using the serpentine cart path, rolled the cart, and lost his leg. Naturally, a couple of months later, I challenged him to an ass-kicking contest.
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Most outings with buddies I play golf to drink beer.
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/a0/7d/2b/a07d2b62f9605757630bb1f993a901a2.jpg)
Was playing along side a corporate event that had what I assumed to be strippers riding along with. I wasn't complaining.
(http://therealcape.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/beer-cart.jpg)
i can't drink and drive :D funny stories. i was offended they showed dustin's bum too much. if paulina was soooo concerned about the dress creapin up there, well ya'll know the fix. she shoulda wore the yoga pants instead
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Coleman
Funny that you mentioned your equipment. I got my first new set of irons two years ago as a birthday gift from my kids and the replaced a 15 year old set. The cost of equipment is more crazy than green fees.
I did want to comment on someone saying that green fees are not crazy high and he plays in reasonable length of time. I have to admit I am goof course snob and not willing to play lower level courses. From birth until 5 years ago I have the privilege of playing at a great country club in Milwaukee and it spoiled me. Any course I have an interest in playing, aside from Brown Deer, is a minimum of $125 per player.