Thoughts on my first live PGA event

[srjorion]

Attended my first ever PGA event today at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans and noticed a few things that surprised me or gave me new insight to the game.

1. These guys aren't big! OK, they aren't necessarily small either, but many of the guys look bigger on TV. I knew Bubba Watson wasn't big, but I definitely thought he was bigger than he really is. There were a few others that really surprised me too.

2. Live swings look different than those you see on TV. I thought the swings looked much smoother live. They really looked effortless. I watched some on TV after getting home and the swings look much faster. Also, TV doesn't give you a good appreciation of the ball flight which was much lower on short shots than I thought they would be. I figured shots they hit from 70-100 yards would be high. These guys hit them much lower than I expected. This was when the wind was calm too.

3. It isn't all about the short game. I don't know about many of the other course layouts the tour hits, but I was surprised how many long iron shots these guys have to make. There were a lot of approach shots on Par Fours from the 200 - 220 yd. range. I know these guys are hitting shorter clubs for these shots than amatures, but their misses from this range were not big misses very often. Their short game was great, but I underestimated just how often these guys hit long approaches.

I definitely learned a lot today and look forward to seeing the rest of the tournament live.

[aiian]

I've always wondered the same thing. I have yet to go to a big time golf tourny but sports are almost always more impressive in person.

We're trying to convince my wife she wants some TPC @ Sawgrass tix for mother's day. I haven't had much luck yet.

[zackr]

I can not wait to attend the 2012 PGA Championship at the Ocean Course. Only a few minutes from my house so it will be nice. Though I have worked at a Nationwide tour event before and it was completely different from watching on tv.

[DarkPrince]

I'm hoping to have a similar experience at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits this year :) I know it will be more of a zoo than a regular tour stop, but the opportunity for learning something new/different is still there provided I can see anybody through the crowds :P

[Titleist_ProV1x]

Attended my first ever PGA event today at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans and noticed a few things that surprised me or gave me new insight to the game.

Grats on popping your cherry @ a live PGA event, enjoy

[BallStriker]

I attended the FBR a couple years back and watched Geoff Ogilvey hit balls on the driving range -- it was definitely one of the most impressive things I have ever seen. His swing looked so effortless and he simply bombed the ball.

One thing I did notice is that for as good as they are, they still hit some poor shots -- but they all clean up around the greens. That said, I agree that these guys make 200 yard approaches look much easier than they are.

[stiffdogg06]

Those guys are good no matter what.

I can't wait for The Memorial Tournament. Haven't missed it in 5 years.

[srjorion]

One thing I did notice is that for as good as they are, they still hit some poor shots -- but they all clean up around the green.

Most definitely. Duval had two wayward drives into the mulch, one of which went way right. He still saved par on even the worst one. Sergio may be the exception these days

[Scott_K]

I went to the US Open last year at Bethpage for a couple of days. I waited about an hour in the rough at #4 to catch a glimpse of Tiger. It was dead silent as he was deciding which club to hit. As he pulled his 5 wood (I think it was) everyone let out an "Ooooo". He cranked it out with one of his casual swings. I was then almost killed by the crowd trying to keep up with him. It was like a swarm of bees.

If you can, spend some time watching them on the range. They hit all sorts of different trajectories. It is really amazing how they're like snipers out there.

[MusTy]

last year i went to the open championship and i totally argree with you about how differnt it is, all golf fans need to go and see what a real tornament is like!!

[wannabe]

Cool stuff - I'd like to go to the Zurich sometimes, great food, love N'awlins. Been to a few other tourneys including the inaugural tour championship in '07, they're just awesome. The coolest thing for me was how quiet it was overall, given on the weekend there are a bunch of people there. People are really very respectful, regardless of some of the clowns that seem to show up on the broadcasts.

It's also funny how they amp up the sound of the club hitting the ball on tv. I half expected it to sound like artillery when I went to the course. :)

The last thing that amazed me was just how close you can get to the players -- unlike any other pro sport it seems.

[chilly]

Yes, the fact that they regularly hit greens from 200+ is one of the more amazing things to me. Figure they have a TON of 460+yd par 4s, many time configured so they'll only take a 3wd. These guys aren't 15hcps on The Sand Trap, so they're "only" hitting it 250ish with the 3wd, leaving them 4-5iron approaches.

[bpschmid]

Their ball flight is just awesome to watch in person...funniest thing is how short alot of these guys are...KJ Choi looked like he could walk upright under a footstool when I saw him...Mike Weir could fit in your shirt pocket.

[Woters]

Living in the UK, I'm kinda desperate to go to this years British Open @ St.Andrews or watch the Ryder Cup....decisions decisions!!

[srjorion]

If you can, spend some time watching them on the range. They hit all sorts of different trajectories. It is really amazing how they're like snipers out there.

I did that a little yesterday and for about an hour today and it was awesome to watch. Charles Howell III was hitting balls the entire time I was there today and it was amazing watching him. It was good to see some of the warm-up routines guys went through too.

[DarkPrince]

I'm thinking of adding the John Deere Classic to my summer list of "to-do's". I'm sad that I found out its no longer in Milwaukee (45 min drive) and now in Silvis, IL (2.5 hr drive barring traffic), but I might still do it to see some players warming up the week before the Open for like 30 bucks a ticket :)

[srjorion]

I went to the final round and have a few closing thoughts. First off, I'm kicking myself for not having bought a Zurich Classic flag and having gotten autographs on it. I saw them for sale and didn't think more of it until I went to the area where guys were signing autographs. Next time...

On to the autograph area. I feel this really shows the true personality of the pros. I was very impressed with Boo Weekly. He interacted with the kids, asked them questions, and even gave one kid his hat after signing it. Troy Matteson also showed a lot of personality with the kids, joking it up with them, especially the ones at the end of the line. Kevin Stadler and Kevin Sutherland were also interactive with the crowd. Aaron Baddeley wouldn't give up his hat to the kids. He signed autographs, but was just signing and moving on.

Overall, I'm kicking myself for not having been to a PGA event earlier. It was an absolute blast, and I learned a ton. For anyone who hasn't been to a PGA event, GO!