Disappointment at East Lake

[joekelly]

I went to East Lake Golf Course yesterday, Wednesday, for the practice session. Gad, i am happy that the price was only half, $25, but was still miffed. Venue great, no doubt at all about that. Fairways even and firm, rough about as long as Tiger's hair, pine needles confined to under the few big trees, lime-green clad marshalls everywhere directing tiny traffic flows...you get the picture. This was a practice for everyone.  However, i only went to see the players hit the ball under various conditions. Players seem mostly to be resting up. I was there at 10 am, but in fact the big names won't tee off Thursday till 2 pm, so why get up from the sack too early to practice on a track most have seen before. I did follow a bit Sergio and Lee, and yeah, they both hit the ball a country mile but only had a mild interest where it went. Most time they spent on greens testing various slopes and contours. Then Tiger came along and i followed him. He spent some time testing two different wedges on the 2nd hole. I mean microscopic examination of the clubhead type exam. Some bloke was carrying these wedges, maybe Mr. Nike. Tiger practiced alone, except for big crowd. A few smiles and handshakes for officials but no fan interaction. Behind Tiger, no one on the course. And he quit after 6 holes, signed 5 mins of autographs, and went into the clubhouse for the free buffet lunch, no doubt.  I did hear that Rory also quit after 6 holes but i never saw him.  One take home message for me is that the difference between any 2 of these 30 players is tiny and impossible for me to identify when they are hitting balls. Could i tell the difference between 2 of the world's greatest violinists? Not likely.  I suspect that many of the top players, who will be playing late in the day during the tourney, won't find any need to test the course in the morning.  As Snedeker recently said, 'Resting up for the Ryder, this week some money is in the bag.'

[MSchott]

Not sure why you were disappointed. This is like going to a baseball game to see batting practice and getting upset because the players weren't trying hard enough. Wednesday, unless there's a Pro-Am is a warm up for the tournament. Not sure what you expected to see.

[Willie Malay]

Watched the Seniors practice round before a major. It was exactly as you described. That is exactly what I thought I'd see.

I cracked a joke toward Gil Morgan about a mutual friend and he laughed and came over said hi to me. Very relaxed environment.

BTW, what is Gil doing now? Gonna check the interwebs to see.

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by joekelly

I went to East Lake Golf Course yesterday, Wednesday, for the practice session. Gad, i am happy that the price was only half, $25, but was still miffed. Venue great, no doubt at all about that. Fairways even and firm, rough about as long as Tiger's hair, pine needles confined to under the few big trees, lime-green clad marshalls everywhere directing tiny traffic flows...you get the picture. This was a practice for everyone.  However, i only went to see the players hit the ball under various conditions. Players seem mostly to be resting up. I was there at 10 am, but in fact the big names won't tee off Thursday till 2 pm, so why get up from the sack too early to practice on a track most have seen before. I did follow a bit Sergio and Lee, and yeah, they both hit the ball a country mile but only had a mild interest where it went. Most time they spent on greens testing various slopes and contours. Then Tiger came along and i followed him. He spent some time testing two different wedges on the 2nd hole. I mean microscopic examination of the clubhead type exam. Some bloke was carrying these wedges, maybe Mr. Nike. Tiger practiced alone, except for big crowd. A few smiles and handshakes for officials but no fan interaction. Behind Tiger, no one on the course. And he quit after 6 holes, signed 5 mins of autographs, and went into the clubhouse for the free buffet lunch, no doubt.  I did hear that Rory also quit after 6 holes but i never saw him.  One take home message for me is that the difference between any 2 of these 30 players is tiny and impossible for me to identify when they are hitting balls. Could i tell the difference between 2 of the world's greatest violinists? Not likely.  I suspect that many of the top players, who will be playing late in the day during the tourney, won't find any need to test the course in the morning.  As Snedeker recently said, 'Resting up for the Ryder, this week some money is in the bag.'

How was the buffet?

[wolfsburg2]

The tour championship is probably not the best place to see a practice round. There are only 30 guys playing. I was there yesterday and it was pretty awesome. I liked the smaller field and the club was wide open. Nothing like the madness I experienced at Bethpage in 2009.

I think those tickets for the weekend are around everywhere for next to nothing. $40 face value. Well worth it for a competition round. Think about heading back!

[MEfree]

Originally Posted by MSchott

Not sure why you were disappointed. This is like going to a baseball game to see batting practice and getting upset because the players weren't trying hard enough. Wednesday, unless there's a Pro-Am is a warm up for the tournament. Not sure what you expected to see.

I agree.  I have been to a practice round at the Masters and to some other pro events during competition (usually Thursday or Friday).  I like seeing them put in some time at the range (and they often do), but it makes total sense that unless you are playing with Phil, the big concern with a practice round is figuring out how chips and putts are going to react from various positions.  These guys know how their 7i is going to fly through the air whether it is Augusta or Atlanta, but figuring out how much a chip runs out or a side hiller breaks is much more event/hole specific.

I played on some very fast contoured greens yesterday and wished I had more of a chance to practice putting and chipping on them the way the pros do.

[RPMPIRE]

I went to all the President's Cup practice rounds in 2009 at Harding Park and it does seem like Wednesday is the least eventful compared to Monday and Tuesday. I felt the first two days actually had a schedule and they played all 18 holes. Tuesday was similar, except some stopped at 16. On Wednesday, it was a lot of driving range time and maybe a few holes. But I think it's the same for any other tournament. Wednesday is like the "free day" where they do whatever they feel like doing on the course.

[birdyfest]

this thread reminds me of seeing TW win at torrey pines in 2008.  the practice rounds were awesome.  snapped this pic of woods playing with bubba.  stinger!!

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by wolfsburg2

The tour championship is probably not the best place to see a practice round. There are only 30 guys playing.

At any given time, there was probably more action on the driving range/putting green than on the course. Unfortunately, 30 guys is 30 guys. Too bad Tiger and Phil didn't take on Rory and Lee for an Epic Loser Leave Town Steel Cage Match. That would have been better than watching the tournament.

[phan52]

The range is a great place to go during practice round days (or any day, for that matter). I could watch those guys hit balls all day.

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by joekelly

I went to East Lake Golf Course yesterday, Wednesday, for the practice session. Gad, i am happy that the price was only half, $25, but was still miffed. Venue great, no doubt at all about that. Fairways even and firm, rough about as long as Tiger's hair, pine needles confined to under the few big trees, lime-green clad marshalls everywhere directing tiny traffic flows...you get the picture. This was a practice for everyone.  However, i only went to see the players hit the ball under various conditions. Players seem mostly to be resting up. I was there at 10 am, but in fact the big names won't tee off Thursday till 2 pm, so why get up from the sack too early to practice on a track most have seen before. I did follow a bit Sergio and Lee, and yeah, they both hit the ball a country mile but only had a mild interest where it went. Most time they spent on greens testing various slopes and contours. Then Tiger came along and i followed him. He spent some time testing two different wedges on the 2nd hole. I mean microscopic examination of the clubhead type exam. Some bloke was carrying these wedges, maybe Mr. Nike. Tiger practiced alone, except for big crowd. A few smiles and handshakes for officials but no fan interaction. Behind Tiger, no one on the course. And he quit after 6 holes, signed 5 mins of autographs, and went into the clubhouse for the free buffet lunch, no doubt.  I did hear that Rory also quit after 6 holes but i never saw him.  One take home message for me is that the difference between any 2 of these 30 players is tiny and impossible for me to identify when they are hitting balls. Could i tell the difference between 2 of the world's greatest violinists? Not likely.  I suspect that many of the top players, who will be playing late in the day during the tourney, won't find any need to test the course in the morning.  As Snedeker recently said, 'Resting up for the Ryder, this week some money is in the bag.'

The fault , dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves . . .

The problem was in your expectations, not what happened there.

Originally Posted by birdyfest

this thread reminds me of seeing TW win at torrey pines in 2008.  the practice rounds were awesome.  snapped this pic of woods playing with bubba.  stinger!!

I was there for those practice rounds as well.  Saw Tiger's practice round on one of the days.

Then I went home and watched the tournament proper on the big screen.

[KrazyTrain18]

When the RBC Canadian Open was in Vancouver last year, I wen to the range each day early in the morning instead of going to the practice round.  At the range I watched players like Donald, and such (pretty weak field that week) and also met Rickie Fowler.  And don't expect the players to be friendly and over excited with everyone.