John Smoltz discusses his future on the PGA

[rckwd]

For those that haven't seen it, check this article out and hear John discuss different topics from his playing on the tour to his playing with Tiger. Also his beautiful home course in Ball Ground, Ga

http://www.golfdigest.com/courses/20...?currentPage=1

[ugottabjoshinme]

very good read. smoltz has one hell of a house.

[TN94z]

Wow!!! What I would give to have a backyard like that!!

[ks8829]

I can get comfortable living there. Nice article, thanks for sharing.

[golf_junkie27]

His course is in better condition than some of the courses I've played on.

I also read where Tiger said that Smoltz took him for some money. Here is the actual quote. Not 100% sure if it included Tiger giving him shots.

Woods got off a good line when, in a reference to the reporters' layered attire, he said, "This looks more like a British Open press conference than it does a Masters press conference." He perked up several ears when he revealed that he had lost money to the longtime Atlanta Braves (and now Boston Red Sox) pitcher Smoltz.

"I remember the time that I shot 63 and lost money (laughter)," Woods said. "He shot 66 that day. The guy can play."

Must be sweet knowing you've beaten the number one player on both the LPGA and PGA Tour.

[RocketSauce]

ive always liked Smoltz. i have several of his autographs too. but i never knew he was such a good golfer. i knew Maddux was a good golfer, but i didnt know Smoltz was better than him. awesome backyard too. that would be really cool to see him on the senior tour someday

[Writer's Block]

He made a hole in one on a par 4? That's incredible.

[deronsizemore]

Thought his thoughts on the handicap system was interesting:

...But the handicap system is a joke. I think you're either a scratch or you're not.

[pittpanther]

This was a very interesting article, shedding some light on how "the other half" lives (ha ha).

- Smoltz admitted to never having traveled out of the US.
- I knew he was the best golfer in the major leagues, but didn't know he was seriously considering the Senior tour.
- Why is everyone surprised that he beat Tiger Woods, assuming strokes are given? Isn't the whole point of the handicap system to allow a loser like me to play Tiger? Assuming my HC is about 28, and his is +9, if he gives me 37 strokes I will beat Tiger sometimes, especially if my best day meets his worst day.
- Says he would never play a course that required him to wait during his round - he hates slow play. I bet that endeared him to a lot of people on this board!

[rjfan91]

Ya, especially when he says he takes and gives strokes....

Thought his thoughts on the handicap system was interesting:

[Shindig]

Ya, especially when he says he takes and gives strokes....

In fairness, I'm pretty sure golfers were taking or giving strokes before the handicap system - or even par - was formalized.

[iacas]

Ya, especially when he says he takes and gives strokes....

Indeed. But he's just doing what they did before handicaps were really official... negotiating.

I do wonder if he takes them on the #1-4 handicap holes, though, or if that's part of the negotiation with Tiger. Sometimes you'd be wiser to take two a side on holes of your choosing than three a side on the appropriate handicap holes.

[deronsizemore]

Indeed. But he's just doing what they did before handicaps were really official... negotiating.

I'm not a big gambler on the golf course, but the guys I play with sometimes are. That's more or less how they go about giving strokes... negotiate. Everyone knows who the best golfers are in the group. Everyone knows they typically play x amount of shots better than everyone else and that's how the negotiations are started.

[Aetsh]

Being a long time Braves fan..This is a really cool read! I'd love to see him on tour, or senior tour for a long time to come!!

As a Braves fan in the 90's, Its unimaginable to have Smoltz, Glavine, and Maddux in a Foursome with myself

[ControlJunkie]

Man, I wish you hadnt posted this. I was just getting over crying myself to sleep every night because the Braves didnt do what it took to bring Smoltzie back. I grew up a Braves fan, from back in the days of watching Dale Murphy, Glenn Hubbard and co. on TBS and once the ball started rolling in '91, I was obsessed. My favorite starter bounced back and forth from Smoltz to Glavine, but was a huge fan of both. I knew Smoltz was a great golfer, but I didnt realize he was that good. He was also one of the better hitting pitchers in the league, and a total class act. I have a good friend that lived in ATL for a while, and pretty much hated baseball, but ended up at a Braves game one night. This was when Smoltzie was a closer. I remember him calling me from the game saying it was one of the most badass things he's ever seen in his life, when Smoltz made his walk from the bullpen to the mound, with Back In Black (I think?) blaring over the P.A....

[Cobber]

I worked as a photographer's assistant in the early 90's in Atlanta. One time we had a shoot during the Playoffs with Tom Glavine. We were in one of the locker rooms at Fulton County Stadium and getting the job done. Then, there was a knock on the door and Smoltz walks in all excited trying to get Glavine out of there to meet someone. Instead, of getting up and leaving, Glavine says bring him in. 2 mins later, Payne Stewart walks in!! So, I'm standing in the room with Glavine, Smoltz and Stewart!! All 3 were great and I got several autographs. Best day of work ever.

[RC]

Smoltz can play serious golf, that is for sure. The Braves pitchers used to play a lot at my old club when they came to Houston, and I've played behind them several times. It was fun to catch up sometimes at the next tee as they would be teeing off. Smoltz could bomb it with a beautiful swing, and his iron play looked like a pro. I always thought he might give the Champions Tour a try and do well. Romo has a nice looking swing and is a great golfer, but I think Smoltz might be the best of the pro athletes that I've heard about or seen.

He also used to dominate the Astros frequently... seeming to get stronger as the game progressed. I remember sitting behind home plate next to the radar gun, and he was throwing harder in the 7th inning than in the first few innings -- he could often go into the 7th or beyond. And his slider was so wicked I don't know how anyone could hit it... and that was over 10 years ago. He is a big strong guy.

[CG031]

Thought his thoughts on the handicap system was interesting:

Yeah...I didn't understand why he think it's a joke? Anyone understand Smoltz's reasoning.

Good article, thanks for the share. Would love to have a backyard like that.