Comments on: Europe vs. America in Numbers

By: Baynative

Baynative — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 02:45:06 +0000

So, why didn't Paul Casey show up in the stats?

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 14:49:48 +0000

Erik - you're right.

Jack - I still think it would be interesting to compare the two in some fashion. Off the top of my head, I don't know how...maybe looking at nationwide players performance on the PGA Tour in the same events that the European players are.

That would be interesting...but hard to pull the data together for.

And Bob, no, I don't have too much time...I don't have any left!

By: Erik J. Barzeski

Erik J. Barzeski — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 14:36:48 +0000

Jack - the problem with that is that most Nationwide Tour players haven't played enough events on the PGA and European tours to have their stats count. Dave only used statistics of players who have registered stats on both tours.

By: tartanjack

tartanjack — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 02:50:51 +0000

Fascinating. Since the Europeans are so whipped into a lather about the Nationwide Tour touting itself as the "second strongest" tour in the world, it might be equally interesting to add a third column comparing the stats of the top 8 Nationwide players.

But please, don't go to all that work! I really think any comparison goes beyond the stats. The Ryder Cup is about a state of mind and the Europeans have proven they can play out of their mind.

A week after Tiger makes few birdies in his matchup with Furyk, he shoots 63 today. Nice.

Anyway, great job, Dave.

By: Andy Greenwald

Andy Greenwald — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 00:50:34 +0000

I can think of the following reasons to help explain the anomalies of scoring and driving distance.

Scoring - Scoring can be harder in the windier conditions on the Euro PGA and may cause more water balls off the tee and out of bounds locations. I also wonder if the Euro's pro-rate the scoring averages each week like we do here in the states, so that we can compare apples to apples. The Euro's may be more focused when they play in the states, because they usually participate in the bigger events.

Driving distance - Weather is better in the states (less wind) where the PGA plays and the course fairways may be better maintained to help with roll. Another factor may be that the PGA only measures distance on holes that the prima donnas (I mean PGA pro's) want their distance to be measured, and the Euro PGA players don't have such a strong say or union (so to speak).

Just some thoughts.

Great reading.

By: allin

allin — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 00:44:45 +0000

This probably has more to do with differnces in course conditioning than any thing else. I don't have any first hand knowledge but announcers often refer to the better course conditions and faster greens on the American Tour.

I am hoping that this is Daves hobby, I doubt he gets paid much.

By: Bob Curley

Bob Curley — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 23:31:57 +0000

You have WAY TOO MUCH time, You need a hobby.....

By: Erik J. Barzeski

Erik J. Barzeski — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 17:58:06 +0000

I'd be inclined to agree with the "more fitness" concept if you weren't comparing the same players. Know what I mean? They don't suddenly become more fit when they travel to this side of the pond.