Favorite playoff system?

[Leonardite]

For majors? 18 Hole Playoff without a doubt.

[Thrash13]

For those saying the sudden death, four-hole playoff, and three-hole playoff aren't fair, who cares?!? If the player won the tournament before the playoff, they wouldn't have to worry about it. I love the U.S. Open, but an 18-hole playoff is too much for my liking. Get the two golfers out there and let them settle it the same day. There is no reason to waste another day when there are so many tournaments and travel arrangements to keep up with.

I can agree a sudden death probably isn't the best choice in a major or big tourney like The Players, but still, it's really not that big a deal because every player has the chance to keep the tourney from going to a playoff.

I hate next-day playoffs in any situation, especially the 18-hole playoff.

[Big_M]

  wengerlaw said:

From a fan's perspective, I prefer the 3-4 hole playoff over a full 18 hole playoff. Nothing irks me more than investing my weekend in watching the U.S. Open and then having to go to work on Monday and being unable to watch the 18 hole playoff.

I agree... it is a good compromise, still enough space to make up for a bad shot or counter a lucky shot, but not so long it requires an additional day (usually).

  lamebums said:

I would prefer an 18 hole round. It's the most fair. If the sudden death, three, or four hole playoffs are played on holes that heavily favor one person's playing style but not the other...then it simply isn't fair. Playing the entire course again gives a fair chance for everyone involved.

I disagree... chances are 4 holes will have enough variety. If none of the 4 closing holes are to a players favor, then most likely they were disadvantaged by much of the course.

[Avid Golfer]

  iacas said:

It's a major, and for it to come down to a quirky chip-in (sorry Larry Mize) just doesn't feel right.

Luck playing a huge factor (like the Mize chip in) doesn't sit well with me either, but something about the 18-hole playoff doesn't sit well with me either. I feel both the three and four hole aggregate score playoffs are reasonable for finding a deserving winner. That being said when it comes to majors I like that each has a different system, and that the different systems helps to keep each one of the majors unique.

Something that would make the Masters more unique would be if they had playoffs on the par 3 course. (I'm not saying its a good idea, but it might be interesting to see).

[easygrip]

  Alex B said:

After what happened yesterday at The PLAYERS, I would have to agree with you.

Dude...I'm glad you said it!!! I was thinking the exact thing today. That playoff should begin on 16. I don't have a problem with 17 other than you should not start a playoff on it.

[mn723]

I voted for the Open's 4 hole playoff. Instant sudden death brings too much luck into the equation and a full 18 hole playoff on Monday drags the event out too much and probably lessens the interest by average fans.

How about a 9 hole putt-off on the practice green like we do at the local muni?

[Bigbuckley]

i like the 18 hole playoff because the more golf the better.... in my opinion.

[Neil]

4 holes. Get it finished on the day, 1 is too short 18 too many.

[Cizzle]

What is with all this "luck" talk? I can't believe another golfer would attribute luck to these athletes skill. Was it luck Adam Scott made a 50' putt to win in sudden death?

I think sudden death proves how important every stroke matters. One extra stroke will cost you the win, no making it up, no second chances, do or die. It's a + for the spectators and is fair in every way.

The way I wish playoffs were played were each player chooses a hole to play and the two-hole playoff begins. If it's tied, each player has to select a different hole that has not been selected, tied again, keep going. If it goes to the entire course, so be it. And since they get to ride on carts for playoffs, it would not be very time consuming riding all around the course.

So I guess my votes for 4-holes, although I have no problem with sudden death. An extra 18 is very bad for golf, no one wants to wait another day for there to be a victor, golf ends sunday

[MrKadash]

18 holes is a regulation round, not 3 or 4, or 1. Play a full round to see who's best.

[Crafty]

I have laways felt that mometum should still be a factor in a playoff. If there is an 18 hole playoff the next day, all momentum is diminished. However, a four hole aggregate playoff still determines who is playing the better golf while keeping the momentum that sifted so much throughout the day.

[StrmStlkr]

I know its not really plausible but I voted for 18. If you really want to know who is better between two people, pit them against each other for a full 18 holes. People can argue that handling the pressure of one hole will determine it, but I disagree.

[hurley9192]

the Larry Mize got lucky comment isn't terribly fair to Larry. He just as well could have chipped in on 18 and basically played the same way. Why is it all of a sudden lucky and unfair to Norman that they played 2 extra holes before he beat him by 1?

I favor a 3-4 hole playoff because it can cover up a serious mistake, but it's not long enough to require additional days. You forget that they already played 4 days and couldn't find a clear cut winner, why keep dragging it out?

[CBass1724]

I enjoy the 4 hole playoff at the BRITISH Open, but am not opposed to all majors being 18 hole playoffs. Sudden death is fine for regular events.

[Bo the Golfer]

I think a three hole playoff works. How great would The Players have been to have Sergio and Goydos replay 16, 17, and 18? At least it wouldn't have come down to a badly timed gust of wind.

[JJR8588]

The most fair I'd have to go with 18 holes it gives everyone the most fair playoff

[Mr Eagle]

Sudden death for me,It shows whos got the bottle.

Maybe they could do what the society I play with does in the event of a draw.After 2 hours in the 19th we have a putt off on the practice green.Great fun, I can just see Tiger now swaying over his ball with one eye closed