Jump to content
IGNORED

Should Only Amateurs Compete in Olympic Golf?


billchao
Note: This thread is 3394 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!

0  

  1. 1. Should Olympic golf feature only amateur competitors?

    • Yes
      15
    • No
      16


Recommended Posts

  • Moderator

Some PGA Tour pros have expressed that they feel it would be better for golf if the Olympics invited only amateurs to compete. This was echoed recently by Adam Scott: http://www.golf.com/2014/12/09/adam-scott-grow-game-youd-have-olympics-amateurs

I have to disagree. The Olympics is supposed to be about sports across the world at the highest level of competition (it's one of the reasons baseball was removed and golf found its way back in to begin with). If anything, where they messed up is that they've limited the competition with their field restrictions. There should be more top pros in the field, not less. Take hockey, for example. The Miracle on Ice was great an all, but Olympic hockey has only gotten better since the introduction of the pros.

What the former Masters champion does reveal with his statement is exactly what many of us here have speculated: the pros do not care about the Olympics. I understand why, but that's a shame. This kind of attitude will not promote Olympic golf, and will not grow the game through the Olympics.

So what does everyone else think?

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

I do not think it should only be amateurs.

Whether it is right or not, I always visualize Olympic gold as "the best in the world".

-Matt-

"does it still count as a hit fairway if it is the next one over"

DRIVER-Callaway FTiz__3 WOOD-Nike SQ Dymo 15__HYBRIDS-3,4,5 Adams__IRONS-6-PW Adams__WEDGES-50,55,60 Wilson Harmonized__PUTTER-Odyssey Dual Force Rossie II

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator

If I was, the Russians would just find a way to have Red Army golfers. :-P

Scott

Titleist, Edel, Scotty Cameron Putter, Snell - AimPoint - Evolvr - MirrorVision

My Swing Thread

boogielicious - Adjective describing the perfect surf wave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I disagree. I strongly believe that the Olympics should return to being what it had always been, a test of the best amateur athletes across all events, throughout the world. I understand the challenges and all the arguments to the contrary, but as a former high-level athlete who once had, albeit improbable, Olympic aspirations, it's something I'm passionate about.

In David's bag....

Driver: Titleist 910 D-3;  9.5* Diamana Kai'li
3-Wood: Titleist 910F;  15* Diamana Kai'li
Hybrids: Titleist 910H 19* and 21* Diamana Kai'li
Irons: Titleist 695cb 5-Pw

Wedges: Scratch 51-11 TNC grind, Vokey SM-5's;  56-14 F grind and 60-11 K grind
Putter: Scotty Cameron Kombi S
Ball: ProV1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Eh, the notion of amateurism in the Olympics is long gone.  And way back when it was a means of keeping the riff-raff out anyways.  Like in the movie "The Greatest Game Ever Played" it was just a way for the gentlemen to look down on the pros.

10.5 deg Ping G30, Callaway X2 Hot Pro 3W, Taylor Made Rescue 3H, Ping G30 irons
Cleveland TA 900 SW, Mizuno T-Zoid LW, Odyssey DF Rossie I

http://golfshot.com/members/0622056080

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I disagree. I strongly believe that the Olympics should return to being what it had always been, a test of the best amateur athletes across all events, throughout the world.

I understand the challenges and all the arguments to the contrary, but as a former high-level athlete who once had, albeit improbable, Olympic aspirations, it's something I'm passionate about.

I don't follow. You say you disagree (I assume with AS?) but then the rest of your post seems to suggest otherwise... Are you saying it should be the best players in the world or the best amateur players in the world?

Yours in earnest, Jason.
Call me Ernest, or EJ or Ernie.

PSA - "If you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING!"

My Whackin' Sticks: :cleveland: 330cc 2003 Launcher 10.5*  :tmade: RBZ HL 3w  :nickent: 3DX DC 3H, 3DX RC 4H  :callaway: X-22 5-AW  :nike:SV tour 56* SW :mizuno: MP-T11 60* LW :bridgestone: customized TD-03 putter :tmade:Penta TP3   :aimpoint:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I disagree. I strongly believe that the Olympics should return to being what it had always been, a test of the best amateur athletes across all events, throughout the world. I understand the challenges and all the arguments to the contrary, but as a former high-level athlete who once had, albeit improbable, Olympic aspirations, it's something I'm passionate about.

That's just not what the Olympics are about anymore, professionals are already playing in other sports and there's no going back now. I don't think pro golfers care at all about the Olympics and to be honest, I think people in general have lost interest in the whole thing.

my get up and go musta got up and went..
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I don't follow. You say you disagree (I assume with AS?) but then the rest of your post seems to suggest otherwise... Are you saying it should be the best players in the world or the best amateur players in the world?

I believe that only amateurs should compete in the Olympics.

That's just not what the Olympics are about anymore.....

That's the point.  And although it will never happen, I'd like to see the Olympics revert back to an all amateur competition.  Again, I understand all the arguments against it, most of which fall into the category of "it's too hard to manage and police".   Too hard isn't a good enough reason for me, but I understand how others might disagree.

In David's bag....

Driver: Titleist 910 D-3;  9.5* Diamana Kai'li
3-Wood: Titleist 910F;  15* Diamana Kai'li
Hybrids: Titleist 910H 19* and 21* Diamana Kai'li
Irons: Titleist 695cb 5-Pw

Wedges: Scratch 51-11 TNC grind, Vokey SM-5's;  56-14 F grind and 60-11 K grind
Putter: Scotty Cameron Kombi S
Ball: ProV1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Quote:
I believe that only amateurs should compete in the Olympics.

I could not agree more.

Watching the Olympics, in terms of the division between amateurs and professionals (as it varies between events), is disconcerting.

Fencing? Amateur sportsmen. Boxing? Amateur sportsmen.

Basketball, tennis, and now golf - some of the highest paid professional sportsmen in the world.

To be honest, I'm far less excited about the prospect of watching Rory, Bubba, et al competing for an Olympic medal than I am about watching them compete for a green jacket.

However, I would certainly tune in to watch a British amateur golfer compete for an Olympic medal...

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I think I'd tend to agree that it would be preferable to use amateurs.  But I don't lean very strongly one way or the other.

Dan

:tmade: R11s 10.5*, Adila RIP Phenom 60g Stiff
:ping: G20 3W
:callaway: Diablo 3H
:ping:
i20 4-U, KBS Tour Stiff
:vokey: Vokey SM4 54.14 
:vokey: Vokey :) 58.11

:scotty_cameron: Newport 2
:sunmountain: Four 5

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I think it should be amateurs competing in Olympic golf, we see the best Pro's compete all the time, I'd like to see it as something different and special to amateurs.

Craig 

Yeah, wanna make 14 dollars the hard way?

Link to comment
Share on other sites


The Olympics is now a business. A very lucrative business at that. As with some of today's big businesses, there seems to be some  (alleged) corruption going on. It's about money first, then competition for the promoters of the events. I also believe that since it has become a money first, competition last, scenario it is becoming less and less important.

Do I think the games should go back to amateur status only?  I suppose if I had to make an unqualified decision, I would say "yes", that only amateurs should compete. In reality I know that will never happen again in some of the events.

As for pro golfers in the Olympics, I don't care one way or another. To me it will just be another WGC event. Come to think of it just another Ryder/Presidents cup event with countries competing against each other for medals won. I also think that just playing for a medal, and not millions of dollars will not be of much interest to some pro golfers. I think at some point, someone might even come up with the idea of making it a "Super Major" as a selling point. Maybe even a World Golf Tour for that Olympic year will become a topic of discussion.

What I would like to know is if any of the pro golfers will be paid for their time, after their normal expenses for being there have been paid. Like other contestants in other sports, they will receive travel, room, and board for earning the right to be there. For example, would Tiger Woods be paid  fee for his time?  Would his handlers expect such a fee to be paid? They have done this in the past. The Olympic folks are making money off the athlete's that attend these games......so?

In My Bag:
A whole bunch of Tour Edge golf stuff...... :beer:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I think it should be amateurs competing in Olympic golf, we see the best Pro's compete all the time, I'd like to see it as something different and special to amateurs.

It could be something akin to the Ryder Cup for amateurs, with its own differences. It would be a large scale amateur national competition, which I think would be cool.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I disagree. I strongly believe that the Olympics should return to being what it had always been, a test of the best amateur athletes across all events, throughout the world.

I understand the challenges and all the arguments to the contrary, but as a former high-level athlete who once had, albeit improbable, Olympic aspirations, it's something I'm passionate about.

As Herb Brooks said, now that we have pros in the Olympics and "dream teams", no one actually gets to dream any more in the sense that the 1980 hockey team dreamed.

IMO every golf pro would much rather have a major title than the Olympic gold medal.  The Olympic gold has no tradition or history and tradition and history make up a bigger part of golf than most sports.  OTOH, if they made it a combined team.individual amateur competition it would be the biggest prize in amateur golf - and therefore Olympic-worthy IMO.  But pro golfers playing in the Olympics?  Just an imitation, of sorts. of the World Cup - which no one has ever paid that much attention to.

Stature, in golf, has to be built up over time.  With the Masters being the one exception that proves the rule, IMO.

But then again, what the hell do I know?

Rich - in name only

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

No, cart's out of the barn on this one. I believe in sending the best to represent our country. If our best curler is an amateur, great, if our best golfer is a pro, great.

In my Bag: Driver: Titelist 913 D3 9.5 deg. 3W: TaylorMade RBZ 14.5 3H: TaylorMade RBZ 18.5 4I - SW: TaylorMade R7 TP LW: Titelist Vokey 60 Putter: Odyssey 2-Ball

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Quote:
What I would like to know is if any of the pro golfers will be paid for their time, after their normal expenses for being there have been paid. Like other contestants in other sports, they will receive travel, room, and board for earning the right to be there. For example, would Tiger Woods be paid a fee for his time?  Would his handlers expect such a fee to be paid? They have done this in the past. The Olympic folks are making money off the athlete's that attend these games......so?

I have to say, I'm really not all that worried about whether Tiger (or, indeed, any other pro golfer who turns up to play in the Olympics) is properly compensated for his time and expenses, proportionate to his usual, professional, expectations. If this is a factor, then it speaks far more loudly to why golf in the Olympics should be comprised of a strictly amateur field.

Granted, the issue of money and the Olympic Committee's relationship with it, is worthy of investigation. But then that matter has been rumbling around for quite some time.... http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/05/opinion/no-medal-for-the-international-olympic-committee.html?_r=0

Link to comment
Share on other sites


The definition of "amateur" and "professional" athletes in Olympics is very blurry.  Many amateur athletes get paid a stipend and other stuff throughout their training.  Just because they don't win any monetary prizes when they compete, are they really amateurs if they get paid a stipend to train?

Now if your definition of "amateur" is one who does not earn a living by the prize money they receive during competition, that may narrow some of the fields.  But then you have events like gymnastics, swimming, etc. that has no prize money but a HUGE endorsement deals for top athletes.

The utopia view of only amateurs competing in any sporting event is illusory.  Just look at college football and basketball.  These players get paid full tuition and room and board.  Are they really amateurs in the literal sense of the word?

However, I would like to see only "amateurs" (one who does not receive monetary prizes for winning a competition) compete in Olympics.  Alas, that ship has sailed a long time ago.

Don

:titleist: 910 D2, 8.5˚, Adila RIP 60 S-Flex
:titleist: 980F 15˚
:yonex: EZone Blades (3-PW) Dynamic Gold S-200
:vokey:   Vokey wedges, 52˚; 56˚; and 60˚
:scotty_cameron:  2014 Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

There are amateurs (most of us here) and amateurs whose sole mission in life is to be a pro.   If Olympic Golf gods limit the event to amateurs, for all intents and purposes, it will be an event dominated by pro wannabes.  I wouldn't want to watch that.   Olympic has turned pro long ago.  There aren't too many Olympic event whose participants are pure Amateurs (e.g, Curling, maybe).

RiCK

(Play it again, Sam)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Note: This thread is 3394 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


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up
  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.
  • Popular Now

  • Posts

    • Wordle 1,013 3/6* 🟨⬜⬜⬜🟨 🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
    • On my car I got the extended power train warranty. I do read the fine print most of the time. Though at now 37, my eyes aren’t what they were 10 years ago.    The problem with most of these extended warranties on electronics and appliances is you don’t register the warranty with the place you buy the warranty from, which I’ve always found strange. Unless it’s GameStop then you know Alina drops her Switch in the next two years and the screen cracks they’ll replace it. No questions asked.    You buy a slow cooker at Walmart for $50 and the extended warranty is say $6, you have to go through a third party to register your product for the warranty, and it’s pretty damn annoying. Target is the same way. Anything you buy the extended protection on you have to go through a third party.    Why do retailers go through a “broker” for warranties? Because they don’t wanna deal with it? They make me talk to someone from another country, that I can barely understand, when I need my warranty fulfilled.   Sorry for the rant.
    • You may be able to find a regular flex Blueboard on the second hand market. I’m little more than half your age so I swing a shaft that launches pretty low so I don’t have a lot of experience with Regular flex (other than when I try to hit it I miss way to the left).    There are other shafts, such as the newer Ping Alta that I’ve heard good things about. And one that no one talks about. The Jupiter shaft. You can get this shaft for a $100 with a grip and your Ping adapter installed. I was talking to the golf manager at Dick’s Sporting Goods here and he has one in his driver and has nothing but good things to say about it. I thought about getting one for my Paradym Triple Diamond to play it a little shorter, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
    • Wordle 1,013 3/6* ⬛🟨⬛🟨🟨 🟩⬛🟩🟩⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
    • Meanwhile, another old Tour Edge guy switches to Callaway for this season. I have a different problem, course dependent set-ups. What I’m wondering is if @dragonsmhas the 8 iron set 5-PW, AW, GW or just 5-PW, GW. Because the PW is 42°, AW 47°, and GW 52°. Because that could potentially be a gap there. The 5-iron to 6-iron length jump is 5/8” instead of 1/2” so you should be careful of that.    @WUTiger the problem most people have with 3-woods is they don’t play them far enough back into their stance. And they usually don’t have enough loft and the shaft is too long. So 3HL, 4 or 5-wood is probably better for most golfers. I do the “Frankenwood” approach. I have both the 3+ and 5 woods. I typically will either add two degrees to the 3+ on 6600 yards or longer courses, or take a degree off the 5-wood on shorter courses than 6300 or so, and use the 5-wood shaft for both. I don’t usually find a situation where I need both the 3 and 5 wood on a course. I don’t play from 7000 yards it’s no fun. Edit: I mostly agree with @WUTiger on the gapping, although a lot of the newer even fixed hosel fairway woods are made better than what we had when we were playing the old Exotics XRails.
×
×
  • 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...