Jump to content
IGNORED

Tour Players Complain about Playing 4 Weeks Straight


skydog
Note: This thread is 3471 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

Complaining about having to compete four weeks in a row. I know four weeks of traveling and playing can get old, but c'mon guys, this is why other athletes and non-golfers look down on you. Oh, I'm sorry you have to play golf for four straight weeks and compete for millions of dollars. Some of these guys need some persepective as to what real work and sacrifice is.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I don't know the Tour Game, but I assume the mental wear and tear, besides the physical (nagging injuries - back, leg, wrist, etc.) take a severe toll after 4 consecutive weeks of playing in highly competitive events. And then add the travel, family, etc.

It adds up ... and as you get older ... worse.

These guys like to play their best ... and I doubt if we're seeing the best from many of them after long competitive streaks of playing.

Tough to put in 4 straight rounds of great play. Sure, these guys could play 4-5 weeks or more, but a roller coaster round or two will sneak in and hurt their placing in the event ... and that also adds to the mental wear.

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator

I dunno, if you're not complaining and trying your hardest and just not shooting your best scores because of being tired physically and mentally, can you blame them for higher scores? Not keeping up with this so dunno if the players are complaining.

Steve

Kill slow play. Allow walking. Reduce ineffective golf instruction. Use environmentally friendly course maintenance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Don't forget the private jets. I can see how the travel and being away from the family could be a grind. But yeah they aren't fighting in the middle east. There a worse things than playing golf for a living.

Dave :-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Don't forget the private jets. I can see how the travel and being away from the family could be a grind. But yeah they aren't fighting in the middle east. There a worse things than playing golf for a living.

Mwah, with an argument like that pretty much nobody can complaint about anything since there is always somebody else who got it worse. Even when making millions and swinging a club on a nice course doesn't mean a man can't miss his family and speak that out in my opinion...

~Jorrit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

If their play suffers because of it (which I think is their collective argument), I'm all for building in an off week.

In my bag:

Driver: Titleist TSi3 | 15º 3-Wood: Ping G410 | 17º 2-Hybrid: Ping G410 | 19º 3-Iron: TaylorMade GAPR Lo |4-PW Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo | 54º SW, 60º LW: Titleist Vokey SM8 | Putter: Odyssey Toulon Las Vegas H7

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator

Baseball, most is what, 2,3 consecutive games in row? Worst case regular game, double header? Basketball, 2 games in a row? Football, 1 game a week. Golf is 4 days consecutive for 4-6 hours and 1-2 practice rounds. 3 weeks in a row is a grind, I'm guessing. But there are those like Vijay Singh or I can't remember, but play almost every tournament they can get into.

Steve

Kill slow play. Allow walking. Reduce ineffective golf instruction. Use environmentally friendly course maintenance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I'm not a Tour Pro, but I'm in pretty good physical condition and I feel fatigued after playing golf 4 days in a row and I don't walk the course.  I have to think between practice rounds, actual rounds, etc that it takes its toll on them mentally and physically.

Joe Paradiso

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Baseball, most is what, 2,3 consecutive games in row? Worst case regular game, double header? Basketball, 2 games in a row? Football, 1 game a week. Golf is 4 days consecutive for 4-6 hours and 1-2 practice rounds. 3 weeks in a row is a grind, I'm guessing. But there are those like Vijay Singh or I can't remember, but play almost every tournament they can get into.

You're way off on baseball. On average, teams only have 2-3 off days per month . Now, not all players play every game, but the better players play mostly every day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I think the problems are simply the playoffs are flawed. Everything from the points system to the schedule is whacked. Toss a Ryder Cup year in there and the start of football season and IMO the entire series has been a bore. It's been constant babble about the Ryder Cup from the guys calling it and the team players appear consumed by it. They haven't found a way to make the playoffs feel like there is a sense of urgency. It's just kind of there.

Dave :-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator
They haven't found a way to make the playoffs feel like there is a sense of urgency. It's just kind of there.

I agree. Playoffs (and the subsequent championship) should be the most important event in a sports schedule. In golf, they're far from it.

Bill

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” - Confucius

My Swing Thread

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator

Complaining about having to compete four weeks in a row. I know four weeks of traveling and playing can get old, but c'mon guys, this is why other athletes and non-golfers look down on you. Oh, I'm sorry you have to play golf for four straight weeks and compete for millions of dollars. Some of these guys need some persepective as to what real work and sacrifice is.

Couple things

- It's not just the four weeks, it's four weeks after the PGA, Firestone, Open Championship and they are looking ahead at the Ryder Cup

- Have you ever played 6/7 rounds in a row while traveling? Closest I ever came to that was in college where we would travel, play a practice round Sunday, play 36 on Monday and then 18 on Tuesday. It's both physically and mentally draining.

I'll go out to tour events a few times a year and I get tired from just from the practice days. And I'm in decent shape. Those guys put in a lot of work even before Thursday.

I'm not a Tour Pro, but I'm in pretty good physical condition and I feel fatigued after playing golf 4 days in a row and I don't walk the course.  I have to think between practice rounds, actual rounds, etc that it takes its toll on them mentally and physically.

Yep

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends on Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap on Twitter!  and on Facebook
Golf Terminology -  Analyzr  -  My FacebookTwitter and Instagram 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Let's say you're a pro player who didn't make the cut last week, and this week you ended up playing with an early Sunday tee-off in the $40,000 bracket. After you turn in your scorecard on the 18th green, some TV talking head shoves a mike in your face and asks you on a national feed why you didn't win.

You have to say something so you don't get accused of being a grouchy or conceited. If you're feeling tired, you likely would mention this. Remember, if you're on the leader board, you probably have a lot more adrenaline rushing through you, and make brighter comments. If you're done before lunch, probably not so perky.

I teach in college, and at a previous school I had a two-week teaching gig in Europe, followed by returning home for two days and then flying to a major conference in Chicago. One of the problems I had was with body clock. I was a little fuzzy my first two days in Europe, and my return adventures gave me a bizarre sleep schedule for about five days.

I would suggest that if a PGA pro has been playing for four weeks straight, especially if one week was spent at the (British) Open Championship, he might feel a little tired. If he's on a tight budget, and has to drive 300 miles to the next tournament site Sunday night to be ready for the Monday pro-am, he could feel really tired. If one tournament site also triggers severe allergic reaction, it gets worse.

Golf Digest had a piece this summer about the impact of the  schedule you draw at a tournament. If you have a Thursday PM tee off and a Friday AM tee off, you get a lot of control over events. If you don't make the cut, chances are you can clear out that day and have Saturday and Sunday free at the next tournament site. It you get a Friday rain delay, you may not know until Saturday PM if you have made the cut. There's a lot little things that can determine whether you're in a good or bad mood when TV guy puts the mike to your mouth.

@skydog , I haven't really noticed a tsunami of complaints from the tour pros.

Focus, connect and follow through!

  • Completed KBS Education Seminar (online, 2015)
  • GolfWorks Clubmaking AcademyFitting, Assembly & Repair School (2012)

Driver:  :touredge: EXS 10.5°, weights neutral   ||  FWs:  :callaway: Rogue 4W + 7W
Hybrid:  :callaway: Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  :callaway: Mavrik MAX 5i-PW
Wedges:  :callaway: MD3: 48°, 54°... MD4: 58° ||  Putter:image.png.b6c3447dddf0df25e482bf21abf775ae.pngInertial NM SL-583F, 34"  
Ball:  image.png.f0ca9194546a61407ba38502672e5ecf.png QStar Tour - Divide  ||  Bag: :sunmountain: Three 5 stand bag

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I consider myself to be blessed and have it darn good- and I work 50-60 hours a week, and am on the road for 150 days a year and make a small fraction of what these guys do.

I think the problems are simply the playoffs are flawed. Everything from the points system to the schedule is whacked. Toss a Ryder Cup year in there and the start of football season and IMO the entire series has been a bore. It's been constant babble about the Ryder Cup from the guys calling it and the team players appear consumed by it. They haven't found a way to make the playoffs feel like there is a sense of urgency. It's just kind of there.

Agreed that the playoffs are deeply flawed and feel more like something the players have to do rather than want to do.

As for the complaining about the schedule- I fully appreciate that these guys are tired and they have a right to be. That said, it's still a matter of perception and looking like an out of touch elitist when you complain about having to play golf for a living. Most of us- civilian and of course, military, work longer hours for much less pay and never complain about it. I consider myself deeply blessed to have a decent job. Again, it just feels like some of these guys need some perspective on things. It's akin to Phil's backlash over his tax situation in California last year; I agree that the tax code in California is ridiculous and provides a disencentive to succeed, but complaining about the tax burden on his $60 million annual salary still rubbed a lot of people the wrong way in an economy where millions are struggling.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Moderator
Again, it just feels like some of these guys need some perspective on things. It's akin to Phil's backlash over his tax situation in California last year; I agree that the tax code in California is ridiculous and provides a disencentive to succeed, but complaining about the tax burden on his $60 million annual salary still rubbed a lot of people the wrong way in an economy where millions are struggling.

Off topic but I think Phil realized what he said was a mistake and hasn't brought it up since.

Couple things

- It's not just the four weeks, it's four weeks after the PGA, Firestone, Open Championship and they are looking ahead at the Ryder Cup

- Have you ever played 6/7 rounds in a row while traveling? Closest I ever came to that was in college where we would travel, play a practice round Sunday, play 36 on Monday and then 18 on Tuesday. It's both physically and mentally draining.

I'll go out to tour events a few times a year and I get tired from just from the practice days. And I'm in decent shape. Those guys put in a lot of work even before Thursday.

Just want to clarify, not saying anyone should feel sorry for the tour players, just giving a little insight. They are treated like royalty out there but playing that much golf is going take it's "toll".

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends on Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap on Twitter!  and on Facebook
Golf Terminology -  Analyzr  -  My FacebookTwitter and Instagram 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

The Stanley Cup playoffs last for about six weeks after an 82 game schedule. The playoff games are usually every other day or every third day to allow for travel. In the finals, that could include cross country travel. A couple years ago Patrice Bergeron played with a punctured lung. When asked why he always hustled, Joe Di Maggio said that there might be someone at the game that never saw him play. I don't have much sympathy for some prima donnas that claim to be tired. Shoot, I feel the caddies would be more tired than the players.
Link to comment
Share on other sites


I don't see anything wrong with a bye-week after the first two playoff tournaments.

But I could really go either way. Playoffs are supposed to be a grind. Don't like it? Don't play it. Bringing up Phil...if Phil knew how much of a strain this would be...he could have skipped the first tournament and still made it to the 2nd...correct?

Joel Holden

https://twitter.com/JHolden138

Link to comment
Share on other sites


But I could really go either way. Playoffs are supposed to be a grind. Don't like it? Don't play it.

I don't mean to pick on you specifically, but I honestly have no idea why people say stuff like this. No where in the established rules of the FedExCup does it say that they're supposed to be "a grind." No where. Golf isn't hockey/baseball/football/basketball/whatever. It shouldn't try to pretend to be any of those sports. We shouldn't expect it to be like any of those sports. If a week off somewhere in the middle leads to better competition and fewer golfers skipping out, then great. [quote name="Crim" url="/t/77093/tour-players-look-pathetic-complaining-about-4-weeks-straight/0_30#post_1053391"]Bringing up Phil...if Phil knew how much of a strain this would be...he could have skipped the first tournament and still made it to the 2nd...correct?  [/quote] They changed the rules a while back to limit that. If you skip the first event you have to just about win the other three (not exactly, but something like that) if you want any chance of winning the whole thing. [quote name="skydog" url="/t/77093/tour-players-look-pathetic-complaining-about-4-weeks-straight/0_30#post_1053224"]Complaining about having to compete four weeks in a row. I know four weeks of traveling and playing can get old, but c'mon guys, this is why other athletes and non-golfers look down on you. Oh, I'm sorry you have to play golf for four straight weeks and compete for millions of dollars. Some of these guys need some persepective as to what real work and sacrifice is. [/quote] So that's the real issue, right? We want to stick it to them for making so much money while putting in relatively little time - or at least we want them to feel a little guilty about it. The Tour's job, however, is not to teach Phil a lesson on perspective, it's to ensure that they put out as good a product as possible on the field.

  • Upvote 1

In my bag:

Driver: Titleist TSi3 | 15º 3-Wood: Ping G410 | 17º 2-Hybrid: Ping G410 | 19º 3-Iron: TaylorMade GAPR Lo |4-PW Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo | 54º SW, 60º LW: Titleist Vokey SM8 | Putter: Odyssey Toulon Las Vegas H7

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Note: This thread is 3471 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...