Dear U.S.A. - Are the best golfers coming through?

[Shorty]

Just a thought directed at people who have a knowledge of how your golfers progress from school to college to tour etc.
I may be wrong about this, but it would seem that there aren't a lot of top flight American golfers getting through your system and making it out of the other end. The majority of the world's best young players are from Europe, Asia, South America, South Africa, Europe and Australasia.
I am guessing that one problem lies in the fact that, in broad terms, golf is not a game for rich folk in countries other than the U.S. - and I know that it is not always the case there if the AK story is really as it's presented.
Are any of you concerned about this, or do you simply embrace the fact that our sport is truly international? Ricky Fowler seems to be the only really bright star from the U.S. at the moment, and he seems to be a bit more "old school" than some of the overly groomed (I'm talking about swings here!) types that possibly have their natural talent ironed out with too much video analysis early on in their careers. With our population, do you think you're underrepresented in the rankings? Lots of awesome talent in the over 30s, though
Any thoughts? Are there moves to "correct" this? Are existing programmes counter productive?

[Matt M]

? Ricky Fowler seems to be the only really bright star from the U.S. at the moment,

Wow..............................Did you just start to watch golf this season? Hunter Mahan, Anthony Kim, JB Holmes, I'm going to stop naming all the talent on tour it would take too long. Let's look at the top players in the world right now, Phil Mc, and what's the one guys name um I can't think of it, some kind of animal cheetah no that's not it...oh yea Tiger Woods. Your statement is a bit flawed, your assuming all European/Asian/Australian prospect will be successful, their just prospect as of now. Talent comes from all over the world, always has, golf is a global game so there will be times when one area (usually cause of 1 player) will look stronger than another. Golf in the U.S is hardly about the rich guy, one great thing that is coming out of this recession is private clubs becoming public or semi private. I'm by no means wealthy but I do belong to a club and carry a fair handi. My son of nine years plays on a regular basis, all on a blue collar income. I think we are going to see more player from Asia and more players from India, and before to long there will be talent coming out of the Middle East. American golf is healthy and will be fine just don't confuss young talent for achievements. It is ok to have great player from other countries golf is an individual game the Ryder Cup is the only important team game we have in golf.

I do think one reason we are seeing so much talent from around the world is that so much of the talent from around the world is coming here for collegiate golf. With all that said I'm ok with golf being a global game that's one of the great things about this sport.

[Shorty]

Wow..............................Did you just start to watch golf this season? Hunter Mahan, Anthony Kim, JB Holmes, I'm going to stop naming all the talent on tour it would take too long. Let's look at the top players in the world right now,

OK then....

14 U.S. players are in the world's top 50. Holmes is not one of them. He is ranked 59. Kim is ranked 26. Mahan is ranked 22. 6 of the 7 Americans in the top 20 are over 30. The other is Sean O'Hair. Merely an observation. My point is that the serious young guns in the world of golf these days tend not to be from the U.S. Roughly 10% of the top 100 are Australian. Not suggesting for a moment that they're all young, because they aren't, but McIlroy, Schwartzel, Kaymer, Westwood, Casey, Sim and Villegas are.

[James_Black]

it's really hard to make it in the U.S
Those that do make it burn themselves out at an early age.
That's my view on things from an outside point of view

[Fatphil]

I am guessing that one problem lies in the fact that, in broad terms, golf is not a game for rich folk in countries other than the U.S. - Are there moves to "correct" this?

Actually this is discussed quite a bit..the weird thing is Tiger who is half black is the best (and only) african american on tour. With the demise of caddy's and the rise of golf carts there is no access to the game....myself included...I caddied from 12 to 21 (1969-1978) best years of my life. And I'm a white guy.

We have the 1st Tee program, that may or may not help but yeh, your point is very valid.

[Shorty]

I think you hit the nail on the head wit the bolded part...if you assume the US is down right now and that may or may not be correct....that still leaves 28 percent of the top 50 golfers in the world from one country...not bad for a down cycle.

In 1991, 60 of the worlds's top 100 were from the U.S.A. In 2003 51 were. In 2008 31 were. I think that this trend has more to do with the globalisation of the game than an actual downturn - I mean, those spots have to be taken by someone, but I doubt that it can be successfully argued that The U.S.A. is the dominant force in professional golf. And, the future seems to point to more non Americans breaking through. with regard to the comment that it just seems to happen that American end up being the best at most things, not sure where the examples of that being the case are. And, as another pointed out, why should they be the best? Quite right. My feeling is that if a foreign player is successful on the PGA Tour he has to be a lot more driven then the average player because he is living a long way from home, friends and family and can't just trot home on the Sunday (or Friday) night. A similar story is cycling, when the likes of Greg Lemond and Phil Anderson (to name two) were incredibly successful because they were mentally tougher than some of their counterparts who were competing in their own back yards. They paved the way for other non Europeans who are now so successful.

[aca247]

OK then....

McIlroy is Irish, Schwartzel is South African and not in the top 50 Kaymer is German, Westwood and casey are over 30 and westwood is almost 37, Sim is not in the top 50 and Villegas is colombian. I know you said they werent all young but isint that what we are discussing casey and westwood the best on that list isnt a young gun. and none of the other one are from the same country

[Shorty]

Exactly. It doesn't always have to be US v The rest of the world. No other country has 28% of the top 50.

No, but Australia, with 7% of the U.S. population has 10% in the top 100.

[Lefty-Golfer]

huh? really?

yes, it is kind of like the Yankees...you can hate them but they are measuring stick. why doesn't anyone post a we're better then Ireland thread...or a Spain isn't the best anymore thread...or what ever. Because like it or not the US is the unit of comparison.

[colin007]

why is it a problem? the USA doesnt have to be the best at everything.

[Lefty-Golfer]

OK then....

I think you hit the nail on the head wit the bolded part...if you assume the US is down right now and that may or may not be correct....that still leaves 28 percent of the top 50 golfers in the world from one country...not bad for a down cycle.

[Randy4h]

You'll know that the number of Australians in the top 100 is a concern when Tim Finchem requires them to learn English within two years or lose their card!

To me, it's about as much a concern as the number of major league infielders from San Pedro de Macoris, D.R.

[jamo]

I think you hit the nail on the head wit the bolded part...if you assume the US is down right now and that may or may not be correct....that still leaves 28 percent of the top 50 golfers in the world from one country...not bad for a down cycle.

Exactly. It doesn't always have to be US v The rest of the world. No other country has 28% of the top 50.

[Lefty-Golfer]

why is it a problem? the USA doesnt have to be the best at everything.

this is true...but it kinda just happens anyway!!

[colin007]

this is true...but it kinda just happens anyway!!

huh? really?

[clubchamp]

The one thing being left out here is the fact that america offers all sports. Kids at a young age play all kinds of sports and I think golf is lower on the totem pole. I'm not saying other countries don't offer other sports but we offer basically every sport in the entire world. Plus most of americas professional sports are second to none and we have a lot of stars kid's look up too.(note: I said most sports) I also blame video games a little I just read a report at work showing a declining number in student athletes. Times have changed a lot I mean when was the last time anyone saw kids playing football in the park or anywhere.

[FHopper]

The new foreign players are coming up through our college system.

[Shanks A Million]

The United States has more in the top 50 than any other nation...

It's a ridiculous argument. We're one country. We hold the top 3 spots. We're so dominant that when we merely dominate, it's not good enough. Must we must crush everyone and eat their entrails to even be considered worthy?