The Pro Tours Random Thoughts and Musings Thread

[Zeph]

1 hour ago, ConorHealy said:

A related point is that large parts of what people celebrate so much about the Masters — considerate crowds actually paying attention to the golf, no heckling, respect for tradition and other attendees — should be, in my view, standard features of live golf. Whilst accepting that certain events (LIV, WM @ Phoenix) cultivate their own atmosphere, it shouldn't take an explicit phone ban and threat of expulsion to encourage people to behave civilly at the majority of events.

Yet here we are. I don’t disagree that we should expect spectators to behave on any event, not just The Masters, but that’s not the case. There’s a sea of phones out there on any other event and a lot more incidents with spectators.

Why shouldn’t we praise decent behaviour when it is often lacking in these days?

There are plenty of golf related events to write negative articles about. I like when there is positivity to write about instead. Not that I expect them to behave at any other event like they do at Augusta just because it gets praise, but it’s nice to see positive spin on things. There are more than enough articles about rowdy spectators and cheating players.

I think you nailed it in the first line: “grumpy old man”. 😉

[boogielicious]

7 hours ago, ConorHealy said:

Yeah, I take your point. Perhaps you've just identified the other side of the same coin: maybe there is very little to celebrate about pro golfers as people, so the golf media are clutching at straws trying to find something.

It could be more that they have run out of interesting things to say when the tournament gets slow. I thought the Masters play was very exciting this year, but in the slower parts the announcers just went back to the same tired old cliches. It was worse on the Masters App where they had B team announcers.

They also don’t have anyone who is funny anymore. That would help when things get slow. They didn’t talk at all about the amateur Ballester who took a pee in Rae’s Creek on 13 in the first round. That would have been hilarious to talk about.

[GolfLug]

2 hours ago, boogielicious said:

They didn’t talk at all about the amateur Ballester who took a pee in Rae’s Creek on 13 in the first round. That would have been hilarious to talk about.

I doubt if any of the announcers would dare to touch that with a ten-feet pole. They might as well electrocute themselves if they were to take even a slightest tone of amusement to this very colorful detour..😋 

[ConorHealy]

15 hours ago, Zeph said:

I think you nailed it in the first line: “grumpy old man”. 😉

Fair enough, I'll try getting out of the right side of bed tomorrow!

10 hours ago, boogielicious said:

They also don’t have anyone who is funny anymore. That would help when things get slow. 

Agreed. One of the saddest things about LIV is robbing us of what could have been 15 years of Mickelson in the booth. 

[turtleback]

7 hours ago, ConorHealy said:

Agreed. One of the saddest things about LIV is robbing us of what could have been 15 years of Mickelson in the booth. 

Funny how opinions differ.  For me that is one of the silver linings of LIV.

[ConorHealy]

33 minutes ago, turtleback said:

Funny how opinions differ.  For me that is one of the silver linings of LIV.

I can see how he would grate on some people, but the couple of times he did an hour or two I thought he came across as pretty switched on and engaging. And, as he's shown online, doesn't seem to be too concerned about playing nice in the interest of preserving relationships.

Comes with the caveat that I've watched a limited amount of pro golf in the last few years, and only a small portion of that on US broadcast, so perhaps there are better offerings out there than Phil.

[phan52]

I am marshalling at the Truist this week. Philadelphia Cricket is a great old Tillinghast track. It only tops out at around 7,100 yards so these guys might tear it up but it shouldn't take away from how good it is. Unfortunately, because of spectator restrictions around the 18th green, they aren't playing the traditional routing. The 18th hole will play as the 11th hole. 

[colin007]

I'm in favor. Put them on blast

How fast do PGA Tour pros play? They’re about to show you

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The PGA Tour is starting to share more pace-of-play information than ever...

 

[p1n9183]

PGA pro that are slow.. don't give.. a .. $%/& about been highligted as slow. They are currently been penilized with warnings and money at the end of the year (an amount that is just change for them).
Unless they start to get penilized with strokes, they are not going to hurry up. 

[GolfLug]

2 hours ago, p1n9183 said:

PGA pro that are slow.. don't give.. a .. $%/& about been highligted as slow. They are currently been penilized with warnings and money at the end of the year (an amount that is just change for them).
Unless they start to get penilized with strokes, they are not going to hurry up. 

There is still an intangible effect of being highlighted. Maybe not on everyone but it does build additional pressure.

I agree that until strokes are docked, it may not be sufficient still but I wonder if they haven't taken that step since it is a bit complicated as to how isolate the slow player in a group. Last thing you want to do is dock strokes for a player who himself is a victim of his slow partners play.

[Vinsk]

PGA TOUR players and any other players who play this game slow will get onboard as soon as morons stop driving 45mph on a 70mph highway in the left lane. No penalty will ever fix it. Ain’t gonna happen.

[GolfLug]

Brian Campbell winning twice this year with a low/mid 160s ball speed is amazing in this time and day. Contrast that with last week's winner Potgieger who moves it comfortably at 190+. Crazy.

[p1n9183]

16 hours ago, GolfLug said:

Brian Campbell winning twice this year with a low/mid 160s ball speed is amazing in this time and day. Contrast that with last week's winner Potgieger who moves it comfortably at 190+. Crazy.

Is just an exception. Is hard to be competitive hitting it just 165 ball speed. If only 1 long hitter plays well that week, he will have a huge advantage of the tee that is really hard to overcome by the short hitter.

I remember playing the other day with a "+2" that was averaging 190 ball speed. My modest 260 carry (158 ball) wasn´t even close. Holes I played Driver + 7 iron, he was playing Driver + lobwedge. 
Par 5's I wasn't reaching in two, he was reaching them with mid irons.. long hitters play others courses.

Of course is not all about length, but it helps a LOT.  

[GolfLug]

1 hour ago, p1n9183 said:

Is just an exception. Is hard to be competitive hitting it just 165 ball speed. If only 1 long hitter plays well that week, he will have a huge advantage of the tee that is really hard to overcome by the short hitter.

I remember playing the other day with a "+2" that was averaging 190 ball speed. My modest 260 carry (158 ball) wasn´t even close. Holes I played Driver + 7 iron, he was playing Driver + lob wedge. 
Par 5's I wasn't reaching in two, he was reaching them with mid irons.. long hitters play others courses.

Of course is not all about length, but it helps a LOT.  

Sure, it wouldn't be worth a mention if it weren't unusual. Just curious.. what total yardage were you playing with the +2?

[p1n9183]

22 hours ago, GolfLug said:

Sure, it wouldn't be worth a mention if it weren't unusual. Just curious.. what total yardage were you playing with the +2?

6700 treelined course (72 rating). It was a good yardage for my distance, not his. It was an official mid am competition. He finished 2nd with 4 under after 36 holes.    

[Zeph]

Stunning Wyndham Clark news breaks on eve of The Open

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Former US Open champion Wyndham Clark has been suspended from Oakmont after he...

Quote

"Several of you have inquired about the situation involving Wyndham Clark and the steps being taken in response to his recent behaviour. 

"Following multiple discussions with the USGA and the OCC Board, a decision has been made that Mr. Clark will no longer be permitted on OCC property.

"This decision will remain in effect unless formally reconsidered and approved by the Board.

"Reinstatement would be contingent upon Mr. Clark fulfilling a number of specific conditions, including full repayment for damages, a meaningful contribution to a charity of the Board's choosing, and the successful completion of counselling and/or anger management sessions.

 

[GolfLug]

45 minutes ago, Zeph said:

Stunning Wyndham Clark news breaks on eve of The Open

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Former US Open champion Wyndham Clark has been suspended from Oakmont after he...

 

I mean, what he did WAS anger management...😄

[colin007]

Is there a rule against these guys using their phones during rounds? There's no way I could just stand around waiting during these interminably long rounds when I could be watching earwax removal, cyst popping, or ingrown toenail removal videos like I usually do