Overrated Players

[Jeepthrills]

  Backspin said:

The very fact that a golfer is held in higher regard than your typical firefighter proves my point. The racial barriers were crossed long ago by Sifford, etc, so I don't give him anything on that point.

I agree that Tiger is not as important as a firefighter, a cop or a soldier. However, that is a completely different topic. Is what he does more important than the research scientist trying to cure cancer? No. Still, people pay to see him play. They buy his clubs, clothes and video games.

By crossing racial barriers I did not mean that he did what Sifford and Elder did before him. I meant that his popularity is equal among black, white and Asian people. I am a 37 year old white guy and he is my favorite athlete. In a game that is very polar, he is an icon to many people. He has helped make golf acceptable to the non-traditional golfer. His popularity has helped programs like the First Tee succeed.

[golf_junkie27]

  MrKadash said:

I didn't say his victories were meaningless, I said it was a meaningless stat.

My response was to the comment that he has "proven little" on the PGA Tour. Again he has more wins than anyone under the age of 30. To which, you replied was a meaningless stat.

How else was I supposed to support my argument? Stats are a record of events. It's not a "meaningless stat." Meaningless stat would be Bubba Watson leading the PGA in driving distance or Rory Sabbatini being the no.2 in scrambling, last year. Those are meaningless. Winning tournaments is never a "meaningless stat."

[iacas]

  golf_junkie27 said:

Winning tournaments is never a "meaningless stat."

I think it is when 6/7ths of the wins came 3+ years ago and we're talking about

current topics. Had Sergio won even two times this year, that'd be relevant, but his 2001 Colonial victory? Pretty meaningless as far as this discussion - players currently over-rated - goes.

[golf_junkie27]

  iacas said:

As it relates to the expectations and the acclaim that's been put on him, yeah, he's proven very little in my opinion.

I will agree with you 100% about this. This is why I rather judge a player by accomplishments than expectations. I wrote as much in one of my earlier posts. I guess, as fans, we expect more than what we're seeing. That little word, "IF" and the phrase "just wait until" sometimes are the kiss of death. See Ty Tryon.

[MrKadash]

  golf_junkie27 said:

My response was to the comment that he has "proven little" on the PGA Tour. Again he has more wins than anyone under the age of 30. To which, you replied was a meaningless stat.

Well, if Bubba bombed drives the particular week he won or Rory scrambled his way to victory how meaningless would those stats be?

So Sergio's seven victories are supposed to mean that much more because he's younger than 30? I just don't see it. Yawn. That just tells me no one is stepping up to the plate to be an elite player or challenging Tiger. Like inferred before, if he was 23 or 24 and had that number, then wow. But being 28 or whatever and not averaging a win per year? I'm not saying he isn't a great player. He hasn't lived up to the hype thrust upon him which is no fault of his own.

[Elsfan]

Kenny "one shot wonder" Perry, and Mr Europe himself, Justin "I might win a tournament in America but only on the Champions tour" Rose.

[golfunit]

Kenny Perry, 11th on the all-time money list...just shows what playing a lot of tournaments will do for you.

[Backspin]

  Jeepthrills said:

I agree that Tiger is not as important as a firefighter, a cop or a soldier. However, that is a completely different topic. Is what he does more important than the research scientist trying to cure cancer? No. Still, people pay to see him play. They buy his clubs, clothes and video games.

It isn't really a different topic. It's the value of people in our society.

Being black and popular to most races is not unique. The athlete is overrated and Tiger is King of the hill, so therefore overrated. I give no credit to someone who crosses barriers when the result of said crossing is wealth and fame. Big deal. He is an icon and that is a problem. We have undeserving (overrated) icons. It reflects poorly on society to value a golfer over, say, a soldier. Everyone reading this will say "I hold soldiers in higher regard than a golfer". Good words but I'll bet the actions say otherwise (as in where your money goes, etc). Lots of reasons for that...but...our media sells us Tiger Woods. That's too bad. Yeah, yeah, I know I'm looking to deep into the meaning of this thread. Sorry :)

[Three Putt]

I'm suprised nobody has said Phil.

I think their is a log jam at who is #2, no one is #2 in my book.

I really think no one mentioned is overrated, they all are excellent golfers. Some called overrated are past their prime...but still can play.

Stupid thread.

[Thrash13]

  Elsfan said:

Kenny "one shot wonder" Perry, and Mr Europe himself, Justin "I might win a tournament in America but only on the Champions tour" Rose.

I'd take wins at Colonial (twice), Memorial (twice), Arnold Palmer Invitational, and others. Things would have been much better for Perry if he would have won the 1996 PGA Championship, but that one slipped away from him. Nonetheless, he has done a lot of great things in the game of golf for over a decade. His consistency is questionable, but he has some great wins at great venues.

[JaY_B]

I think people expect players to achieve too much, and don't quite realise just how hard it is to succeed on tour.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

  Thrash13 said:

I'd take wins at Colonial (twice), Memorial (twice), Arnold Palmer Invitational, and others. Things would have been much better for Perry if he would have won the 1996 PGA Championship, but that one slipped away from him. Nonetheless, he has done a lot of great things in the game of golf for over a decade. His consistency is questionable, but he has some great wins at great venues.

I agree. Kenny is one of those players who has really thrived after the age of 40. What he's done in the game may actually be a touch underrated IMO. Definitely streaky but when he gets it going he's real good.

[mjtoal]

Charles Howell III - mucho overrated player.

[Young Golf Prodigy]

  iacas said:

Heh,

Wow you could not be more right about Monty. Simply the worlds most overrated player. What else can I say!

Mine are: 3. Jason "Do you even know who I am?" Day 2. Mike "I Can't Believe He's Not American" Weir 1. Colin "Monty" Somethingorother OK, well if none of you read the golf magazine article about Jason Day and how he's AMAZING, then you must also have realized that he has dropped off of the face of the earth while moving up to the "big boy" tour. As for Mike, how has he not won more than twice since the Masters win? Oh well, he makes enough. And why does the tour settle for Monty, who complains that the courses are too nice, the fans are too welcoming, and that winning is overrated.

[Franco!]

Phil.
Ugly swing, ugly results, ugly manboobs.

[CG031]

  Franco! said:

Phil.

Ugly swing? LOL.

Ugly results? Yeah, a few majors, just terrible. Ugly manboobs? Maybe in the past, but he's gotten in better shape.

[Franco!]

  CG031 said:

Ugly swing? LOL.

Look at his body swaying all over the place, can't hit fairways like that.

Ugly results, everyone has to agree. He still has the boobies.

[CG031]

LOL. He's one of the best players in the world despite his ugly results and ugly swing.

But believe whatever you want bud.