Interview Questions

[LarryK]

We've all heard these golf interview questions a million times. Just once I would like to hear these more truthful answers:

Q. How do you like this course? What does it mean to you to be here?

A. Apart from Pebble and Augusta, they all pretty much merge into an endless sea of green.

Q. How important is it to keep the ball in play on these narrow fairways?

A. Since I’m #3 on the tour in scrambling, I couldn’t possibly care less.

Q. You’re five shots back going into tomorrow’s final round. Do you feel you still have a chance to pull off the victory and what do you have to do to make that happen?

A. I have to shoot lights out and all eight guys ahead of me have to fold like origami.

Q. You have had some apparent issues with (player X) in the past. Would it mean a little bit more to come out on top in a head-to-head Sunday showdown?

A. Second only to watching his house burn down.

So, what are some answers you would like to hear?

[iacas]

Q. How do you like this course? What does it mean to you to be here?

Quite honestly, most golfers asked this question are either:

a) on the leaderboard b) high-ranked (Tiger, Phil, etc.) in which case they chose to play there In both cases, the person is quite likely to say they like the course, either because they are playing well on it (i.e. it suits them, at least these days) or because they CHOOSE to play it. Tiger, for example, avoids courses he doesn't like. As to what it means to be there, a chance to win should be the most honest answer. Late in the year some will say a chance to earn enough money to keep their cards.

A. Apart from Pebble and Augusta, they all pretty much merge into an endless sea of green.

Well, that's a somewhat pessimistic view, and believe me, anyone who said that shoots a future in course design right in the foot.

Q. How important is it to keep the ball in play on these narrow fairways?

Uhm... okay. And if they're not? :)

Q. You’re five shots back going into tomorrow’s final round. Do you feel you still have a chance to pull off the victory and what do you have to do to make that happen?

There are more tactful ways to say that, and players have said it. Try "I have to play my best and hope that fortune (i.e. everyone else plays like crap) is on my side."

Q. You have had some apparent issues with (player X) in the past. Would it mean a little bit more to come out on top in a head-to-head Sunday showdown?

Uhhh...

So, what are some answers you would like to hear?

As I said on the podcast, it's fine with me that "I think we'll win" or "Tiger is amazing, hitting it where he does and still winning" is "trash talk" for golf. I like civility. Golf is the last sport in the world to have it.

[BruceMGF]

Quote:

Q. How important is it to keep the ball in play on these narrow fairways?

A. Since I’m #3 on the tour in scrambling, I couldn’t possibly care less.

I think Morgan Pressel once was asked something about the deep rough at a USWO and replied that she didn't care because she doesn't go in the rough.  Maybe they're less "politically correct" on the LPGA.  Or maybe it's just Pressel (outspoken about Wie at once point, among other things).

Quote:

Q. You’re five shots back going into tomorrow’s final round. Do you feel you still have a chance to pull off the victory and what do you have to do to make that happen?

A. I have to shoot lights out and all eight guys ahead of me have to fold like origami.

A:  I'm shooting for third place.  I'm no fool.

Of course, maybe they could be asked different interview questions.  I'd like to hear more technical questions, like what clubs did they include/leave out of their bag for a certain round on a certain course.