"he played terrible."

[mirv]

i know it's just a choice of words, and that most people don't even think about what they're saying, but i'm sure you've all run into people when discussing a player's performance at such and such tournaments on tour, and if said player was having a bad day, they'll say "man, he played terrible. he couldn't hit anything" or some such descriptive.

not a big deal really, because like i said, it's just a choice of words that they probably aren't even really thinking about, but i'm always inclined to correct them and say "no, he played some outstanding golf, it just wasn't good enough to win. that guy's 'terrible' round would still stomp the crap out of you, me, and this other guy combined." because more often than not, a terrible day (or string of days) for a pro is coming off the course like 3 or 4 over for the round. i've come off the course 4 over *once* in my life, and most of the people that i hear saying stuff about how tiger or phil or sergio or whoever played terrible, they usually shoot 90s or 100s.

it just burns my biscuits and i wish people would choose their words a little more accurately.

[Harry Truman]

I'm sorry, but the truth is, 4 over in a tournament for players of Tiger, or Phil-caliber is terrible.
Tiger played horrendously at Hazeltine..

[mirv]

well yes, 3 or 4 over is certainly not good for tiger or phil, but what i was getting at is that these people i'm referring to tend to sound condescending towards (whoever), as if they could do better themselves. i'm not saying tiger shooting 4 over is good golf for tiger, i'm saying 4 over is still a Lot better than a lot of people can do, including the "he played terrible" people, but they still manage to make it sound like they could shoot a better score blindfolded and with one hand tied behind their backs.

[Brent]

  None said:

"That guy's 'terrible' round would still stomp the crap out of you, me, and this other guy combined."

Good point, but you, them and the other guy aren't pro. Go figure.

[Harry Truman]

I'm just busting your chops. I agree with you, but Tiger, or any other tour pro in the spotlight, is expected to do better than 3, 4, 5 over.

Throw multi-million dollar endorsements in the equation, and 4 over is looking worse and worse.

[whetstone]

If a top pro comes in 10 strokes behind the leader, his play that day WAS terrible... for him.
My playing partner and I were discussing John Daly's 88 a few weeks back. For me, 88 is a great day. When Big John did it, the golfing world (and some on this board) wanted to see him banned for life, and burned at the stake. John played terribly that day, and posted a score I would have been proud of.
Perspective

[kris]

Under tour standards, they did play terrible.

[Dave H]

I guess it's all relative.

[iWALK18]

  mirv said:

not a big deal really, because like i said, it's just a choice of words that they probably aren't even really thinking about, but I'm always inclined to correct them...

I know just what you mean... every time I hear someone say "He played terrible" I almost can't keep myself from correcting him... it should be "He played

terribly " or "He played terrible golf" or "He played a terrible round". He played terrible is simply not correct grammar.

[billysandy]

  kris said:

Under tour standards, they did play terrible.

(Above) Well said.

When people say that 'he played terrible', they mean compared to the usual and don't say 'well they should say that then' because at the end of the day it is just common interpretation - you shouldn't need everything spelled out for you for it to be justified.

[microcrayfish]

  iWALK18 said:

I know just what you mean... every time I hear someone say "He played terrible" I almost can't keep myself from correcting him... it should be "He played

Beat me to it

[CG031]

This reminded me of something...Quick story.

The other day, when Sergio had a bad round at The Barclay's (Fri., 2nd rd) my friend text messages me. "Dude, what happened to Sergio?!" "He sucks, he played terrible!"

First of all, I am not his caddie. I don't know "what happened" to him. He just didn't play good. What kind of question is that?! Second, he didn't play terrible. He shot a 76, on a tough golf course, in bad weather. So what? He didn't have the greatest of days. Now all of a sudden he sucks.

Some fans are just idiots.

[squaddie]

  mirv said:

it just burns my biscuits and i wish people would choose their words a little more accurately.

I agree some people are speaking before they think concerning poor performance by a tour player. But you'll see this problem with the expectations of fans with top players of any sporting event, from armchair golfers to armchair quarterbacks. People can exaggerate the significance of outcomes of the player's actions.

If the player does well at an event then the fan's perspective that the player is great and will continue to be a great player is reinforced. But if the same player does something human and makes a few mistakes that could cost the tournament then the fan's perspective of this awesome, dominating player is crushed, and the fan is left questioning their beliefs and expectations of the losing player. But I don't mind the fans being too critical, as I think it contributes to making professional golf more dramatic. Imagine if fans didn't react at all when a top player plays poorly, where would the excitement be in that?

[bogeyhitter25]

Pros can come in dead last (making the cut), which must be regarded by them as terrible and they still walk away with 10 grand + endorsements. That's so sad.

[PrairieParson]

Keep in mind being a pro doesn't mean they are immune from sore muscles, insomnia, nights, family problems, confidence problems, the yipps, upset stomach, uncomfortable beds, hangovers, previous night producing heat between the sheets, or maybe just sick of golf and in need a vacation, all of which can affect their game. Yes they are pros, but they are human also, not machines. Great pitchers have been pulled in the first inning. Great hitters go 0-4.

Not only that but I bet if most us had to play their courses, from their distances, their rough, their greens, with their competition, we'd be amazed how good that "bad" round really was.

[Fat Slice]

If you talked to any pro who shot a +5 round, he'd be the first one to tell YOU "I played terribly!"

[sean_miller]

  iWALK18 said:

I know just what you mean... every time I hear someone say "He played terrible" I almost can't keep myself from correcting him... it should be "He played

I was expecting a grammar thread as well.

[unabowler]

I think that Prairie Parson is an enabler.

When you say that a pro plays terribly it's taken in context. Much the same way as if you say you play well, it means relative to your ability and expectations.