Shell's Wonderful World of Golf...

[MSDOGS1976]

These were back in the day when $100K went to the winner. These guys today laugh at that. It would take probably $500K to the winner to get anyone worth watching to fly off somewhere and play a match. That is why you won't see any new Shell WWOG.

You may be right. You would think they could get some decent guys for $250k to the winner, $100k to the loser. Plus they could tape some of these close by a regular tour event so they are not having to fly all over creation. They had a match between Azinger and Seve once at one of the British Open sites. Probably taped a few days before or after the event as all stands were still in place. But maybe ratings were off and that is why they stopped the series.

[mirv]

i personally would rather see the 1-on-1 than a tournament any day of the week. i may be the minority there, though.

[uttexas]

You are absolutyely right. One on one, you see every shot. There are often higher risk/reward shots attempted. Much more fun to watch. There is way more strategy involved. The pace tends to be quicker (gimmie's and pick ups)

[PEZGolf]

Gary Player is pure greatness. Amazing what he did considering his build. Arguably, the best bunker player ever. He also has the best one liner golf tips. "strike the match" when chipping. "Complete the follow through" on the full swing.

I agree with everything that you wrote. Like Jack and Arnie, he is still extremely active with various golf and business activities. I subscribe to his magazine, "Player", which is an excellent publication. Naturally, it details his latest ventures, including course design, his horse ranch, support for education of youngsters in South Africa, etc. His interviews with Peter Kessler on "Golf Talk Live" on The Golf Channel are real classics, including the one with "Arnold". He is famous for his golf quips, including "park the car in the ga--rage at the top of the swing". Here is a quick story, that I am publishing in my golf magazine in April. My son's golf coach at St. Lawrence was Mary Lawrence, who was an All-American at Miami and then played the LPGA Tour for 5 years. One year, when she was competing in a college tournament in Florida, Gary Player and Rabbit Dyer watched as she hit a par 5 in two, and then made birdie. As she walked off the green, Player approached her: "Nice shot,there, young lady" "Thank you, Mr. Player. It was a good way to end the round." "Would you like some advice on bunker play?" asked one of the great Masters on playing from the sand. Of course, she said, "Yes", and they went over to a practice sand trap. "Now listen to me as I demonstrate---soft sand, hard hands. Hard sand, soft hands." He is right, you know.

[MSDOGS1976]

Well it's a rainy cool day today so a good day to pull out one of my Shell's golf tape. Bought a couple a few years ago. The one I'm going to watch was originally aired in 1966. Devicenzo vs Lema, played in Greece. Been so long since I bought the tape, I don't even remember who won.

Just read on the back of the tape box, that this was originally aired just 7 months before Lema was killed in a plane crash. Wow.

[MSDOGS1976]

It was a good match. Tony Lema won with a 67 to Roberto's 68. Won $7k to Roberto's $3k. Amazing how far they could hit the ball back then. Roberto hit one 325 yards but he was using a smaller ball and the fairways were hard looking.

[SavvySwede]

Shell's Wonderful World of Golf on all day today. Golf channel knows what we want but only gives it to us on Christmas.

[nevets88]

1 hour ago, SavvySwede said:

Shell's Wonderful World of Golf on all day today. Golf channel knows what we want but only gives it to us on Christmas.

Time to fire up the dvr, rip it to files for later viewing.

[ghalfaire]

On 1/3/2009 at 11:17 AM, MSDOGS1976 said:

What happen to this show? I know they started the series back up in the 90's but looks like the last episode was taped in 2003. I always thought it was a pretty good series.

Probably went the same way as Big Break.  Just not enough viewer.  But I have been enjoying the Christmas season reruns.  

[ev780]

I was one of the paramedics providing coverage of the Mickleson vs Montgomerie at Cordillera.  Not much of a spectator event.  Action is only on one hole and the entire gallery is trying to get a view.  Luckily it was a small crowd that day and views were pretty good.  Montgomerie ran away with the event thus not much to watch.

I just don't think there are enough stories, mini-dramas, good and bad shots to see.  I find them boring actually and much prefer full tourneys..

[PEZGolf]

On 1/5/2009 at 8:52 PM, uttexas said:

Gary Player is pure greatness. Amazing what he did considering his build. Arguably, the best bunker player ever. He also has the best one liner golf tips. "strike the match" when chipping. "Complete the follow through" on the full swing.

That, and he was and is stubborn enough to wear all black even in 90* plus weather. I support him with not divulging who told that he/she was taking performance enhancers. Something public needed to be said, and not divulging the source, despite pressure from the media (the media seem hipocritical on this and a lot of things) shows great character.

Another Player tip----"at the top of your swing, park the car in the garage". He is one of my all-time favorite Champions!

[Shindig]

Watching Phil and Freddie at the moment.  I wish I were at home or I'd record it.  I wish there were a way to find them online consistently.  Does anyone know if Golf Channel's Roku app would have them in a week when I'm home?

[PEZGolf]

On 1/23/2009 at 9:38 PM, mirv said:

i personally would rather see the 1-on-1 than a tournament any day of the week. i may be the minority there, though.

I agree with you. In match play, you always know where you stand and have to adjust according to that. Most clubs in our area use match play in their club championships, and the PGA used that format in their Championship for years. The HAIG was THE KING, winning 5,  and 4 in a row!****My favorite match is the Hawk ( Hogan) vs. The Slammer (Snead) at the Houston CC. Second is Snead vs. Demaret at the Eisenhower GC at the Air Force Academy. Third favorite is Payne vs. Price. All three are great, close matches!

 

[mvmac]

9 hours ago, PEZGolf said:

Another Player tip----"at the top of your swing, park the car in the garage". He is one of my all-time favorite Champions!

What the heck does that mean? 

[Golfingdad]

I wish they'd start making these again.  The ones they are currently showing are so dated that I don't find them that interesting, but I still love the concept.

But if I could watch a Jordan Spieth vs. Rory McIlroy or Bubba v. JD or Rickie v. DJ casual but competitive match played at any number of courses that the pros DON'T normally play (Pine Valley, Mauna Kea, Bandon whichever, any number of famous old courses that might be a little under equipped to host majors anymore, etc, etc) then sign me up!!  I'd watch that in a heartbeat.

[PEZGolf]

54 minutes ago, mvmac said:

What the heck does that mean? 

Pause at the top of the swing to allow for the transition from back swing to downswing.  DO NOT RUSH IT LIKE BEGINNERS DO or you will slice your shot

[iacas]

8 hours ago, PEZGolf said:

Pause at the top of the swing to allow for the transition from back swing to downswing.  DO NOT RUSH IT LIKE BEGINNERS DO or you will slice your shot

It's OT to get into this, but… the pause at the top is not why beginners slice.

[DaveP043]

13 hours ago, PEZGolf said:

I agree with you. In match play, you always know where you stand and have to adjust according to that. Most clubs in our area use match play in their club championships, and the PGA used that format in their Championship for years. The HAIG was THE KING, winning 5,  and 4 in a row

I agree, I love both playing and watching match play events.  However, the Shell WWOG series was always a stroke-play exhibition.